Free Radiology CE Credits: Where to Earn ARRT-Approved Credits Online

Keeping your radiology certification active means earning 24 continuing education credits every two years. That is not optional. Let your biennium lapse and you cannot legally perform scans until you catch up.

The good news: you do not need to spend hundreds of dollars on CE courses. Dozens of legitimate organizations offer free radiology CE credits online, and every one of them counts the same as a paid credit toward your ARRT renewal.

This guide covers where to find free credits, how to verify they are ARRT-accepted, and how to build a CE plan that keeps you compliant without draining your wallet.

How ARRT Continuing Education Works

Before hunting for free credits, understand what ARRT actually requires:

  • 24 Category A or A+ credits per biennium (every two years)
  • At least 1 credit in radiation protection (structured education may satisfy this)
  • Credits must come from a RCEEM-recognized provider (Recognized Continuing Education Evaluation Mechanism)
  • Your biennium dates are specific to you, based on your original certification date
  • Credits cannot carry over from one biennium to the next

ARMRIT-certified technologists have their own renewal requirements. Check with ARMRIT directly for specifics, as their CE standards differ from ARRT.

Category A vs. Category A+ Credits

Category A credits come from courses evaluated by a RCEEM-recognized organization. These are the standard CE credits most technologists earn.

Category A+ credits are earned through academic coursework at accredited colleges or universities. One semester credit hour equals 12 Category A+ CE credits, and one quarter credit hour equals 8.

Both count equally toward your 24-credit requirement.

Free CE Credit Sources: The Complete List

ASRT (American Society of Radiologic Technologists)

ASRT is the largest professional organization for radiologic technologists, and their CE library is extensive.

  • Free credits available: Varies by membership tier. Some courses are free to all, others require ASRT membership ($120/year)
  • Credit types: Category A, covering topics from patient care to advanced imaging physics
  • MRI-specific courses: Yes, including MRI safety, protocols, and emerging techniques
  • How to access: asrt.org/main/standards-and-regulations/continuing-education

Even without a paid membership, ASRT periodically offers free courses during events like Rad Tech Week.

Manufacturer-Sponsored Training

Equipment manufacturers offer free educational content to build familiarity with their platforms. These often qualify for CE credit.

Siemens Healthineers

  • Free webinars and on-demand courses through their education portal
  • Topics cover MRI physics, advanced applications, and safety protocols
  • Some courses offer ASRT-approved Category A credits
  • Access: siemens-healthineers.com/education

GE HealthCare

  • Free online learning modules through GE HealthCare Education
  • MRI-specific content includes SIGNA platform training and clinical applications
  • Access: gehealthcare.com/education

Philips

  • Free webinars and training through Philips Learning Center
  • Covers MRI workflow optimization, safety, and clinical protocols
  • Access: philips.com/healthcare/education

CE4RT

CE4RT offers free introductory radiology CE credits with no purchase required.

  • Free credits available: 1 free Category A credit (additional credits are paid)
  • Topics: Radiology, MRI, CT, mammography, and general patient care
  • Accepted by: ARRT, NMTCB, ARDMS, SDMS
  • Access: ce4rt.com/free-ce

Medical Professionals (MedPro)

MedPro offers a selection of free ARRT-accepted CE credits alongside their paid catalog.

  • Free credits available: Limited free courses (typically 1-3 credits)
  • Credit types: Category A, ASRT-approved
  • Access: medical-professionals.com

RadTechEdu

RadTechEdu provides free radiology CE credits as a trial offer with no obligation.

Aunt Minnie

Aunt Minnie is a radiology news and education platform that occasionally offers free CE-eligible content.

  • Free credits available: Varies, typically through sponsored webinars
  • Topics: Broad radiology coverage including MRI
  • Access: auntminnie.com

State and Regional Societies

Many state radiologic technology societies offer free or low-cost CE opportunities to members:

  • State-level conferences often include free CE sessions
  • Regional societies may offer free webinars throughout the year
  • Check your state society website for a current calendar

MRI-Specific CE Credits

If you hold the ARRT MRI post-primary certification or are an ARMRIT-certified technologist, prioritize CE credits that are relevant to your modality. While ARRT does not require a fixed number of MRI-specific credits, staying current with MRI technology directly impacts your clinical skills.

High-value MRI CE topics:

  • MRI safety updates and screening protocols
  • Advanced pulse sequences and their clinical applications
  • MRI physics refreshers (gradient systems, RF coils, k-space)
  • Cardiac MRI techniques and patient management
  • MRI contrast agent safety and adverse reaction protocols
  • Pediatric MRI considerations and patient communication
  • Quality assurance and artifact troubleshooting

Equipment manufacturers (Siemens, GE, Philips) are particularly good sources for MRI-specific credits because their training reflects current scanner technology.

Building Your CE Plan: A Practical Strategy

Waiting until the last month of your biennium to scramble for credits is stressful and expensive. Here is a better approach:

Year 1: Steady Accumulation

  • Month 1-2: Complete 2-3 free credits from ASRT or manufacturer webinars
  • Month 3-6: Attend 1-2 free webinars from equipment manufacturers (2-4 credits)
  • Month 7-12: Take advantage of employer-provided CE opportunities (many hospitals budget for this)

Target by end of Year 1: 10-12 credits completed

Year 2: Finish Strong

  • Month 13-18: Complete remaining credits, mixing free and low-cost sources
  • Month 19-22: Verify all credits appear correctly in your ARRT CE portal
  • Month 23-24: Buffer time for any missing or rejected credits

Track Everything

  • Log into your ARRT CE portal regularly to verify credits are recorded
  • Keep certificates of completion for every course, even if the provider reports directly to ARRT
  • Set calendar reminders 6 months before your biennium ends

Employer CE Benefits: Ask Before You Pay

Before spending money on CE credits, check what your employer offers:

  • Tuition reimbursement: Many hospitals reimburse CE course fees up to a set annual amount
  • In-house training: Larger facilities run internal CE programs that count toward ARRT renewal
  • Paid CE days: Some employers give 1-3 paid days per year specifically for continuing education
  • Conference attendance: Professional conferences (RSNA, AHRA, ISMRM) include CE sessions, and employers often cover registration

If your employer does not have a formal CE benefit, ask. Many facilities have education budgets that go unused because nobody requests them.

Common CE Mistakes to Avoid

Not checking RCEEM approval: A course might be educational but not ARRT-accepted. Always verify the provider is RCEEM-recognized before investing your time.

Assuming all online courses are created equal: Some free CE sites offer outdated content or poor instructional quality. Look for courses updated within the last two years and written or reviewed by practicing radiologic technologists.

Ignoring structured education requirements: Depending on your discipline, ARRT may require some credits to be “structured education” (courses that include an assessment component). Check your specific requirements.

Losing certificates: Even if a provider reports credits to ARRT automatically, keep your own records. Reporting delays and errors happen.

Waiting too long: Credits take time to appear in your ARRT portal. Some providers report weekly, others monthly. Build in buffer time.

Keep Growing Beyond the Minimum

Continuing education is a requirement, but it is also a genuine opportunity. The MRI field evolves constantly, with new sequences, safety guidelines, and clinical applications emerging every year. Technologists who treat CE as a chance to expand their skills rather than a box to check tend to advance faster into specialty roles, lead positions, and higher pay brackets.

If you are earlier in your career and still building your MRI foundation, structured programs provide a more comprehensive path than piecing together individual CE credits. Tesla MR Institute’s MRI training program combines online coursework with clinical rotations at over 334 sites across 38 states, preparing students for ARMRIT certification and a career built on strong fundamentals.

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