Virginia is one of the better states for MRI technologists, and the reason comes down to geography. The Northern Virginia corridor sits in the DC metro area, where MRI techs earn a mean of $99,910 per year according to BLS data. Hampton Roads has one of the densest concentrations of military and civilian hospitals on the East Coast. And university medical centers in Charlottesville and Richmond create consistent demand in between. Across the state, Tesla MR Institute has 65+ clinical training sites where students can complete hands-on rotations.
This guide covers Virginia-specific program options, certification requirements, salary data by region, and where you can complete clinical training. Whether you are a career changer entering MRI for the first time or an existing rad tech adding MRI to your credentials, Virginia has clear pathways for both.
How to become an MRI tech in Virginia
Virginia does not require a state-specific license for MRI technologists. This is an important distinction that confuses many people. The Virginia Board of Medicine regulates radiologic technologists who use ionizing radiation (X-rays, CT), but MRI operates on magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulses. No ionizing radiation, no state license requirement.
That does not mean you can walk into a hospital and start scanning patients. Every employer in Virginia requires national certification, and the two recognized credentials are:
- ARRT(MR) from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
- ARMRIT from the American Registry of MRI Technologists
The difference between these two paths is significant. ARRT requires you to first complete a radiologic technology program and earn primary certification (usually in radiography), then add MRI as a post-primary specialization. ARMRIT lets you enter MRI directly without prior radiology credentials. For a full comparison, see our ARRT vs ARMRIT guide.
Key Takeaway
Virginia has no state MRI license requirement. MRI uses non-ionizing radiation, so it falls outside the Virginia Board of Medicine’s radiologic technology regulations. Employers require national certification through ARRT or ARMRIT.
Which certification Virginia employers accept
Both certifications are accepted across Virginia, with some variation by employer:
- Inova Health System (Northern VA): Accepts both ARRT and ARMRIT, actively recruiting ARMRIT-certified techs for multiple campuses
- Sentara Healthcare (Hampton Roads, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg): Accepts both certifications across most facilities
- UVA Health (Charlottesville, Northern VA): Accepts both ARRT and ARMRIT
- HCA Healthcare / LewisGale (Richmond, Roanoke, Southwest VA): Accepts both, with growing ARMRIT adoption
- Fairfax Radiology Centers (Northern VA): Accepts both certifications
- Independent imaging centers: Generally accept either certification, often specifically seeking ARMRIT candidates to fill positions faster
The MRI staffing shortage has made Virginia employers broadly more flexible about certification pathways. According to the 2025 ASRT survey, the national MRI vacancy rate is 17.4%, and Virginia is not immune to that trend.
MRI tech programs in Virginia
Virginia has several pathways into MRI, ranging from community college certificates for existing rad techs to standalone programs for career changers.
Virginia Western Community College (Roanoke)
Virginia Western offers a Career Studies Certificate in Magnetic Resonance Imaging through the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). This is a post-primary program designed for working radiologic technologists.
Key details:
- Duration: Approximately 12 months
- Prerequisite: Current ARRT(R) certification in radiography
- Location: Roanoke, VA
- Outcome: Prepares for the ARRT MRI post-primary exam
- Strength: Part of the VCCS system, affordable tuition for Virginia residents
- Limitation: Not open to career changers without existing radiology credentials
Piedmont Virginia Community College (Charlottesville)
PVCC offers an MRI certificate program in partnership with UVA Health. Like Virginia Western, this requires prior radiologic technology credentials.
Key details:
- Duration: Approximately 12 months
- Prerequisite: Current ARRT certification
- Location: Charlottesville, VA (clinical training at UVA Health)
- Outcome: Prepares for ARRT MRI post-primary exam
- Strength: Clinical training at a major academic medical center
Tidewater Community College (Norfolk/Hampton Roads)
TCC offers an MRI program serving the Hampton Roads area. This provides another option for existing rad techs in the southeastern part of the state.
Key details:
- Duration: Approximately 12 months
- Prerequisite: ARRT certification in radiography
- Location: Norfolk, VA
- Outcome: Prepares for ARRT MRI post-primary exam
- Strength: Access to clinical sites in the dense Hampton Roads hospital network
Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital School of Medical Imaging (Richmond)
St. Mary’s offers an AAS in Radiologic Technology. This is a full radiologic technology program, not MRI-specific, but graduates can pursue ARRT MRI post-primary certification afterward.
Key details:
- Duration: 22 months for the full radiology program
- Prerequisite: General college prerequisites
- Location: Richmond, VA
- Outcome: ARRT(R) certification, which can then lead to MRI specialization
- Limitation: This is the longer path. Two years for the radiology program, plus additional MRI training
Tesla MR Institute (hybrid, statewide)
Tesla MR Institute takes a different approach. The program is designed for people entering MRI directly, including career changers, healthcare workers without radiology backgrounds, and MRI tech aides looking to advance.
Key details:
- Duration: 12-18 months
- Prerequisite: None. No prior radiology credentials required. Healthcare experience helps but is not mandatory.
- Format: Online didactic coursework combined with in-person clinical rotations at local sites
- Clinical sites in Virginia: 66 facilities across the state (28 active partners + 38 affiliated)
- Certification: Prepares for ARMRIT certification
- Strength: Accessible to career changers, flexible schedule for working professionals
- Limitation: Prepares for ARMRIT, not ARRT. If your target employer specifically requires ARRT, this is not the right path.
Tip
If you already have ARRT credentials in radiography, the Virginia community college programs (VWCC, PVCC, TCC) are efficient 12-month paths to add MRI. If you are entering MRI without prior radiology credentials, Tesla MR Institute’s ARMRIT pathway is the most direct option available in Virginia.
Choosing between ARRT and ARMRIT pathways in Virginia
This decision depends on where you are starting from. Read our detailed ARRT vs ARMRIT comparison for the full breakdown.
Choose the ARRT pathway if:
- You already hold ARRT certification in another modality
- You want to add MRI as a post-primary certification
- Your target employer specifically requires ARRT(MR)
Choose the ARMRIT pathway if:
- You do not have prior radiology credentials
- You are a career changer from another healthcare field or outside healthcare entirely
- You want to enter MRI as quickly as possible
- You are fine working at employers that accept ARMRIT, which is the majority in Virginia
MRI technologist salary in Virginia
Virginia’s MRI tech salaries vary dramatically based on where in the state you work. The Northern Virginia corridor commands some of the highest wages in the country, while rural Southwest Virginia pays closer to the national median.
Salary by region
| Region | Mean Annual Wage | Mean Hourly Wage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC-VA-MD) | $99,910 | $48.03 | Includes Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Loudoun |
| Richmond | $82,000-$90,000 | $39-$43 | Growing market with multiple hospital systems |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News | $78,000-$85,000 | $38-$41 | Strong military/civilian hospital presence |
| Charlottesville | $80,000-$88,000 | $38-$42 | UVA Health anchors the market |
| Roanoke-Lynchburg | $72,000-$80,000 | $35-$38 | Lower cost of living offsets lower wages |
| Southwest VA (Bristol, Blacksburg) | $68,000-$76,000 | $33-$37 | Rural, fewer positions, lowest COL in state |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2023/2024. DC metro data includes MD, VA, and DC portions.
The Northern Virginia premium is real. An MRI tech working in Fairfax or Arlington can earn $15,000-$25,000 more per year than one in Roanoke, though cost of living (especially housing) is also significantly higher. The national median for MRI technologists is $88,180 according to May 2024 BLS data, putting Northern Virginia well above that benchmark while most of the rest of the state sits near or slightly below it.
Salary by experience level
Entry-level MRI technologists in Virginia typically start between $60,000 and $72,000, depending on the region. With 3-5 years of experience and specialty skills (cardiac MRI, breast MRI, pediatric), salaries commonly reach $85,000-$105,000 in Northern Virginia and $75,000-$90,000 elsewhere. Travel MRI techs on Virginia assignments can earn $2,000-$2,800 per week, though these positions are temporary.
For deeper salary analysis, see our MRI technologist salary guide and salary by state breakdown.
Tesla MR Institute has 65+ clinical sites across Virginia, from Northern Virginia to Hampton Roads. Train locally while completing coursework online.
Clinical training sites in Virginia
Virginia has one of the strongest clinical training networks in the Tesla MR Institute system. The state’s mix of Northern Virginia medical corridors, Hampton Roads hospital complexes, and university medical centers means clinical training options span the entire state.
Tesla MR Institute has 28 active partner sites and 38 additional affiliated clinical training sites across Virginia. Partner sites are facilities where students are currently training or have trained. Affiliated sites are facilities within our healthcare network partners that can accept students as demand grows.
Active Partner Sites by Region
Northern Virginia (65+ sites)
Fairfax Radiology Centers (4 locations)
- Fairfax (main office, Willow Oaks Corporate Dr)
- Ballston / Arlington (Fairfax Dr)
- Reston-Herndon MRI (Springpark Place)
- Tysons MRI / Falls Church (Leesburg Pike)
Inova Health System (3 locations)
- Inova main campus (Falls Church)
- Inova Alexandria Hospital
- Inova Fairfax Medical Campus
UVA Health Northern Virginia (2 locations)
- UVA Health Haymarket (15195 Heathcote Blvd)
- UVA Health Prince William (Manassas)
Rayus Radiology (2 locations)
- Rayus Fairfax (Main St)
- Rayus Virginia / Insight (Main St)
MedQuest (2 locations)
- Tysons Corner Diagnostic Imaging (Vienna)
- UVA Health Outpatient Imaging (Centreville)
Other
- MRI of Reston (Town Center Dr)
- Solis / Washington Radiology (Arlington — affiliated, see below)
Hampton Roads (65+ sites)
Chesapeake Regional (4 locations)
- Main Campus (Battlefield Blvd, Chesapeake)
- Greenbrier (River Birch Run, Chesapeake)
- Kingsborough (Chesapeake)
- Additional campus (Battlefield Blvd, Chesapeake)
Sentara Healthcare (3 locations)
- Sentara Norfolk (Poplar Hall Dr)
- Sentara Charlottesville / Martha Jefferson Hospital
- Sentara Virginia Beach / Princess Anne
Central Virginia (65+ sites)
UVA Health (4 locations)
- UVA Health main campus (Charlottesville)
- UVA Health Charlottesville
- UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center
- UVA Health Culpeper Outpatient Imaging
Southwest Virginia / Shenandoah Valley (65+ sites)
- Rayus Roanoke (Franklin Rd SW)
- UVA Health Zion Crossroads
HCA Healthcare
- HCA Chippenham Hospital (Richmond)
Affiliated / Potential Clinical Training Sites (38)
These facilities are within our partner healthcare networks and can accept students. If you need clinical training in a specific part of Virginia, there is likely a site near you:
HCA Healthcare Capital Division (14 locations across Virginia) Chippenham Hospital (Richmond), Dominion Hospital (Falls Church), Henrico Doctors’ Hospital (Richmond), Johnston-Willis Hospital (Richmond), LewisGale Hospital Alleghany (Low Moor), LewisGale Hospital Pulaski, LewisGale Medical Center (Salem), LewisGale Montgomery (Blacksburg), Parham Doctors’ Hospital (Richmond), Reston Hospital Center, Retreat Doctors’ Hospital (Richmond), Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center (Fredericksburg), StoneSprings Hospital Center (Dulles), TriCities Hospital (Hopewell)
Sentara Healthcare (9 locations) CarePlex Hospital (Hampton), Rockingham Medical Center (Harrisonburg), Heart Hospital (Norfolk), Leigh Hospital (Norfolk), Norfolk General Hospital, Halifax Hospital (South Boston), Obici Hospital (Suffolk), General Hospital (Virginia Beach), Williamsburg, Northern Virginia Medical Center (Woodbridge)
Inova Health System (5 locations) Fair Oaks Hospital (Fairfax), HealthPlex Franconia-Springfield (Alexandria), HealthPlex Lorton, Loudoun Hospital (Leesburg), Mount Vernon Hospital (Alexandria)
Chesapeake Regional (5 locations) Clearfield (Virginia Beach), Hanbury (Chesapeake), Jennings Outpatient Center (Chesapeake), Kempsville (Norfolk), Lynnhaven (Virginia Beach)
Solis / Washington Radiology (3 locations) Arlington, Fairfax, Sterling
Fairfax Radiology Centers (1 location) Fairfax MRI (Innovation Park Drive)
Tip
With 66 total sites (28 partner + 38 affiliated), Virginia has one of the densest clinical training networks of any state in our system. Most students in Virginia are placed within 30-45 minutes of their home, especially in the Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads metros.
Employer Tip
If you are a facility manager in Virginia interested in hosting MRI training students, Tesla MR Institute partners with hospitals and imaging centers across the state. Hosting students gives you a direct pipeline to trained, certified MRI technologists. See our clinical site partnership page for details.
Which sites have active students?
Nine Virginia facilities currently have Tesla MR students in clinical training or have graduated students:
- UVA Health Haymarket — 3 students placed, the most active clinical site in Virginia
- UVA Health Zion Crossroads — 2 students
- UVA Health Prince William (Manassas) — 2 students
- HCA Retreat Doctors’ Hospital (Richmond) — 2 students
- MedQuest / UVA Health Outpatient Imaging (Centreville) — 1 student
- HCA LewisGale Medical Center (Salem) — 1 student
- HCA Chippenham Hospital (Richmond) — 1 student
- MedQuest OrthoVirginia (McLean) — 1 student (referral)
- MRI of Reston — 1 student
The UVA Health network has been the strongest training partner in Virginia, with clinical sites across Charlottesville, Northern Virginia, and the Shenandoah Valley. HCA Healthcare’s Capital Division provides additional coverage in Richmond and Southwest Virginia.
How to become an MRI tech in Virginia: step by step
Path 1: Career changers and new entrants (ARMRIT)
- Confirm eligibility. You need a high school diploma or GED. Healthcare experience is preferred but not required. MRI tech aides, patient care technicians, nursing assistants, and medical assistants are strong candidates.
- Enroll in an ARMRIT-approved program. Tesla MR Institute’s hybrid program lets you complete didactic coursework online while doing clinical rotations at a Virginia facility. With 148+ sites across the state, there is likely one near you.
- Complete clinical hours. You will log supervised clinical training at your assigned site. Total clinical hour requirements typically range from 750 to 1,500+ hours depending on the program.
- Prepare for the ARMRIT exam. Use resources like our ARMRIT practice test and study guide to prepare.
- Pass the ARMRIT exam. After completing your program and clinical requirements, you sit for the ARMRIT certification exam.
- Apply for jobs. No Virginia state license application is needed. Your ARMRIT certification is your credential. Start applying to hospitals, imaging centers, and outpatient facilities.
Path 2: Existing rad techs (ARRT post-primary)
- Confirm ARRT eligibility. You need current ARRT certification in a primary pathway (typically radiography).
- Enroll in a post-primary MRI program. Virginia Western CC (Roanoke), Piedmont Virginia CC (Charlottesville), or Tidewater CC (Norfolk) are the main Virginia-based options.
- Complete structured clinical requirements. ARRT requires documented clinical experience in MRI procedures.
- Pass the ARRT MRI exam. This is the post-primary MRI specialty exam administered by ARRT.
- Update your credentials. Your ARRT(MR) certification goes on your resume alongside your existing credentials.
For a broader look at MRI tech requirements across all states, see our state-by-state guide.
Virginia MRI tech job market
Virginia’s job market for MRI technologists breaks into three distinct regions, each with its own dynamics:
1. Northern Virginia / DC metro corridor. This is where the money is. Inova runs five hospitals plus outpatient sites. HCA has Reston Hospital Center and StoneSprings. UVA Health has expanded into Haymarket, Manassas, and Centreville. Fairfax Radiology Centers operates four major imaging locations. The DC metro area also includes federal medical facilities and research institutions that create additional demand. Competition for experienced techs is fierce, which pushes salaries up and makes employers more receptive to ARMRIT-certified candidates.
2. Hampton Roads (Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News). Sentara Healthcare dominates this market with nine facilities in the region. Chesapeake Regional adds another four-plus imaging locations. The military presence (Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Langley AFB, Fort Eustis) creates adjacent civilian demand. Pay is lower than Northern Virginia but cost of living is significantly lower too.
3. Central and Southwest Virginia (Richmond, Charlottesville, Roanoke, Blacksburg). UVA Health anchors Charlottesville, HCA’s LewisGale system covers Roanoke through Blacksburg, and Richmond has a mix of HCA, Bon Secours, and VCU Health. These markets are smaller but have less competition for positions, and some rural facilities struggle to recruit MRI techs at all.
The national projection is 6% employment growth for MRI techs through 2033 according to BLS, but Virginia’s growth may outpace that in Northern Virginia where population growth and healthcare expansion continue.
Cost of MRI tech programs in Virginia
Program costs vary significantly based on the pathway:
| Program | Approximate Cost | Duration | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Western CC (MRI Certificate) | $5,000-$8,000 | ~12 months | ARRT(R) |
| Piedmont Virginia CC (MRI Certificate) | $5,000-$8,000 | ~12 months | ARRT(R) |
| Tidewater CC (MRI Program) | $5,000-$8,000 | ~12 months | ARRT(R) |
| Tesla MR Institute | $6,450 (full program, payment plans available) | 12-18 months | None |
| Traditional Radiology AAS + MRI | $15,000-$30,000+ | 2.5-3+ years | College prerequisites |
Tesla MR Institute’s tuition is transparent and includes all didactic coursework and clinical placement. There are no hidden fees for clinical site matching. Payment plans are available, and some students receive employer sponsorship, which our data shows is the strongest predictor of student success.
For a detailed cost breakdown across different program types, see our guide on MRI tech school costs.
MRI programs by city in Virginia
Looking for MRI training in a specific Virginia city? See our detailed guides:
- MRI tech programs in Chesapeake
- MRI tech programs in Fairfax
- MRI tech programs in Newport News
- MRI tech programs in Norfolk
- MRI tech programs in Richmond
- MRI tech programs in Winchester
Next steps
If you are ready to move forward:
- Research your pathway. Decide between ARRT (if you have existing credentials) and ARMRIT (if you are entering MRI directly). Our ARRT vs ARMRIT guide breaks down the tradeoffs.
- Check clinical site availability. Tesla MR has 66 Virginia sites, but site availability varies by semester. Apply early to get placed at your preferred facility.
- Talk to your employer. If you are currently working in healthcare, ask about tuition sponsorship. Employer-referred students have the highest enrollment and completion rates in our program.
- Apply. Tesla MR Institute accepts rolling applications. There is no application fee.