MRI training for Minneapolis-St. Paul
Tesla MR Institute has 18 clinical training sites across the Twin Cities metro, one of the strongest healthcare markets in the Midwest. Sites ring the whole metro: St. Paul, St. Louis Park, Edina, Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, Plymouth, Woodbury, Roseville, Maplewood, Eagan, Burnsville, Lakeville, Shakopee, Blaine, and Coon Rapids, so students in both the east and west metro rotate close to home.
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 the Twin Cities. 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 the Twin Cities
- Certification: ARMRIT (valid in all 50 states)
- Cost: Starting at $11,500 (payment plans available)
MRI technologist salary in Minneapolis-St. Paul
MRI technologists in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington metro area earn approximately $87K-$107K per year, at or above the national median. 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 Minnesota MRI programs page.
How to become an MRI tech in Minneapolis
- Enroll in Tesla MR Institute’s ARMRIT-approved hybrid program
- Complete coursework online at your own pace
- Do clinical rotations at a Twin Cities facility near you
- Pass the ARMRIT exam and get certified
- Start working at hospitals and imaging centers across the metro
No prior radiology experience needed. Healthcare workers, career changers, and MRI tech aides are all strong candidates.
MRI licensing in Minnesota
Minnesota does not require a specific state license for MRI technologists. The state does not regulate MRI under its radiologic technology statutes. Employers require ARRT(MR) or ARMRIT certification. Minnesota’s healthcare market, home to the Mayo Clinic, holds imaging professionals to exceptionally high standards, and many employers prefer candidates with advanced certifications or multi-modality experience.
ARRT(MR) and ARMRIT are the two national MRI certifications, and both are valid in all 50 states. The American College of Radiology’s MRI accreditation program names ARMRIT alongside ARRT. Tesla MR Institute’s program prepares you for the ARMRIT exam, which does not require prior X-ray credentials.
Where MRI techs work in Minneapolis-St. Paul
Major healthcare employers in the Twin Cities include Allina Health, Fairview Health Services (M Health Fairview), HealthPartners, and Children’s Minnesota, with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester within reach for those willing to commute or relocate. The Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area is one of the most competitive healthcare labor markets in the Midwest, with the major systems competing aggressively for MRI technologists. Minnesota’s strong economy, high quality of life, and excellent schools make it an attractive long-term destination, though the climate is a factor for some candidates.
More resources
- MRI tech programs in Minnesota — 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