MRI training in Houston
Tesla MR Institute has 15+ clinical training sites in the Houston metro area, making it one of the strongest markets for MRI training in Texas.
The program is fully hybrid: complete your didactic coursework online on your own schedule, then do hands-on clinical rotations at a facility near you in Houston. No commuting to a distant campus. No relocating. Train where you will eventually work.
Program details
- Duration: 12-18 months
- Prerequisites: None. High school diploma or GED. No prior radiology credentials required.
- Format: Online coursework + in-person clinical rotations in Houston
- Certification: ARMRIT (accepted by most Houston employers)
- Cost: $6,450 (payment plans available)
MRI technologist salary in Houston
MRI technologists in the Houston metro area earn approximately $62K-$92K per year. Entry-level positions start at the lower end, with experienced techs and those with specialty skills earning toward the top of the range.
For detailed salary data, see our MRI technologist salary guide and Texas MRI programs page.
How to become an MRI tech in Houston
- Enroll in Tesla MR Institute’s ARMRIT-approved hybrid program
- Complete coursework online at your own pace
- Do clinical rotations at a Houston-area facility
- Pass the ARMRIT exam and get certified
- Start working at hospitals and imaging centers in Houston
No prior radiology experience needed. Healthcare workers, career changers, and MRI tech aides are all strong candidates.
MRI licensing in Texas
Texas is one of the few states that requires specific registration for MRI technologists. The Texas Medical Board (TMB) mandates that MRI technologists register with the state, and practitioners must hold ARRT(MR) or ARMRIT certification to qualify. The TMB’s Medical Radiologic Technologist (MRT) program covers MRI as a non-certified technologist category, and failure to register can result in penalties. This makes Texas one of the more regulated states for MRI practice.
Employers in the Houston area accept both ARRT(MR) and ARMRIT certification. Tesla MR Institute’s program prepares you for the ARMRIT exam, which does not require prior X-ray credentials.
Where MRI techs work in Houston
Major healthcare employers in the Houston area include HCA Healthcare Texas, Baylor Scott & White Health, Memorial Hermann Health System, Texas Health Resources. Texas is one of the largest MRI job markets in the country by volume, with four of the nation’s fastest-growing metro areas all expanding their healthcare infrastructure simultaneously. The state’s lack of income tax makes it one of the most financially attractive destinations for MRI technologists when comparing take-home pay. Houston’s Texas Medical Center—the world’s largest medical complex—houses MD Anderson Cancer Center and numerous other institutions that drive demand for specialized imaging professionals. Texas’s large military presence (Fort Cavazos, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Bliss) adds a significant federal employer base for imaging technologists.
Texas has no state income tax, which means higher take-home pay compared to similar metros in other states.
More resources
- MRI tech programs in Texas — statewide overview
- How to become an MRI technologist — complete career guide
- MRI technologist salary guide — pay data by location
- ARRT vs ARMRIT certification — credential comparison