Radiation Therapist Education Requirements – 6 Steps To Make The Cut!

People often wonder if they meet the Radiation Therapist Education Requirements. In this brief session, we’re going to cover the conditions one must meet in order to be accepted into this prestigious profession.
Radiation Therapist Education Requirements

What are the Radiation Therapist education requirements? What will it take for you to get enrolled in school without any hitches? The salary is great. It’s a rewarding job.

Plus, you won’t find yourself working crazy hours, such as overnight or weekend shifts. There will be no extremely long shifts, and you will never be on call! So what’s the downside?

Appropriately, there are a number of requirements that prospective students must pass before you they can be accepted into a Radiation Therapy Program. Let’s cut straight to the chase and examine these educational requirements.

Radiation Therapist Education Requirements

This is an incredibly important stage, as you need to have these prerequisites completed before you can progress onto the next stage of your education.

To be crystal clear, the path to becoming a Radiation Therapist is no walk in the park, but it is worth it. Here is what you must present during the application process.

  • High School Diploma
      • Two Years of Mathematics
      • Two Years of Lab Science
  • Pass a Drug Screening
  • Criminal Background Check
  • CPR Certification
  • Letter Of Recommendation (most likely)

If you do not have a high school diploma, an equivalent will suffice in most cases. You would be wise to check with the educational institution before proceeding forward if this a probable area of challenge.

The other requirements leave no options! You must pass a drug urinalysis. You must also pass a criminal background check. CPR certification is mandatory, as well.

Additionally, to get into many schools, you will need to present a letter of recommendation. These above requirements are instituted by the educational institutions. Above and beyond those demands, you will need to meet the requirements from the state agency where you reside, in terms of licensing.

You will also need to meet the requirements of the certification organization, the ARRT. And, finally, you will need to meet the requirements of your potential employers. The great news is, after meeting all of the pre-employment requirements, the employment screening should be a walk in the park.

education requirements for radiation therapist
Play Video

Radiation Therapist Education Requirements Includes ARRT Certification

As previously stated, in addition to your schooling, you will be required to pass some stringent prerequisites in order to receive your Radiation Therapy Certification from ARRT. This process starts with choosing schools that have the proper accreditation.

Your school of choice must have an accreditation that is recognized by the ARRT; there is no other option. ARRT has a list of schools that meet their standards; only apply to those educational institutions, otherwise, you will not meet the radiation therapist education requirements, and your unfortunate choice will halt the certification application process.

Ethics Are Essential

Be prepared, as part of the qualifying process, the ARRT will be vetting your background rather intensely. Thus, you need to be above board at all times. Full disclosure should be your standard.

Unfortunately, in our society, integrity, honor, morals, values and ethics are character traits that are lightly regarded in many circles. However, there are certain career fields, such as this one, in which these character traits must be embraced and maintained.

Accordingly, in adhering to their rules of ethics, the ARRT will investigate amongst other legal and regulatory concerns:

    • Pending Cases
    • Criminal Cases
    • Guilty Verdicts
    • Misdemeanors
    • Felonies
    • Convictions
    • Military Court Martials
    • Pre-Trial Diversion Cases
    • Nolo Contendere Cases
    • Withheld Adjudication
    • Deferred Adjudication
    • Suspended Sentences
    • Stay Of Sentences
    • Suspended License Issues
    • Certifications Subjected To Disciplinary Actions
    • Registrations Subjected To Disciplinary Actions


What does criminal and civil cases have to do with radiation therapist education requirements? Basically, they will review all criminal cases and regulatory issues related to licenses, registrations and certifications.

The exceptions would be juvenile cases adjudicated in juvenile court and minor traffic offenses that do not involve alcohol or drugs.

If you have had or are having trouble with the law, it is better to go through ARRTs pre-application process to determine your eligibility.

If you cannot pass their, “Code of Ethics” and their “Rules of Ethics” you will need to seek another educational route and career path. As you have come to understand, Radiation Therapist education requirements are not as simple as the educational requirements for the average job.