MRI training in Nashville
Tesla MR Institute has 5+ clinical training sites in the Nashville area, the healthcare capital of the U.S., home to HCA Healthcare and dozens of major hospital systems.
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 Nashville. 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 Nashville
- Certification: ARMRIT (accepted by most employers)
- Cost: $6,450 (payment plans available)
MRI technologist salary in Nashville
MRI technologists in the Nashville area earn approximately $68K-$90K 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.
How to become an MRI tech in Nashville
- Enroll in Tesla MR Institute’s ARMRIT-approved hybrid program
- Complete coursework online at your own pace
- Do clinical rotations at a Nashville-area facility
- Pass the ARMRIT exam and get certified
- Start working at hospitals and imaging centers in Nashville
No prior radiology experience needed. Healthcare workers, career changers, and MRI tech aides are all strong candidates.
MRI licensing in Tennessee
Tennessee does not require a specific state license for MRI technologists. The state’s Board of Medical Examiners and the Tennessee Department of Health regulate some medical imaging professionals, but MRI is not specifically covered. Employers require ARRT(MR) or ARMRIT certification. Tennessee’s status as the headquarters of HCA Healthcare and several other major health companies creates a sophisticated hiring environment.
Employers in the Nashville 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 Nashville
Major healthcare employers in the Nashville area include HCA Healthcare, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Ascension Saint Thomas, Ballad Health. Tennessee is the corporate headquarters of HCA Healthcare, the largest for-profit hospital operator in the world, making Nashville a major healthcare industry hub that influences hiring practices nationally. Vanderbilt University Medical Center adds a top-tier academic dimension to the Nashville market. Tennessee has no state income tax on earned wages, which effectively boosts take-home pay compared to states with similar gross salaries. The state’s central location, music and entertainment culture, and affordable cost of living make it one of the fastest-growing states for healthcare worker relocation. Memphis is home to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, offering unique pediatric imaging opportunities.
Tennessee has no state income tax, which means higher take-home pay compared to similar metros in other states.
More resources
- MRI tech programs in Tennessee — 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