Now is a great time for students interested in pursuing radiologic technology (rad tech) programs in Virginia. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment for radiologic and MRI technologists to grow 5% through 2034, with about 13,000 openings added each year. If you’re interested in a hands-on healthcare career that blends technical skills with direct patient care, radiologic technology offers several education paths to explore.
On Board Virginia spoke with Stacy Shell, Radiologic Technology Program Director at Brightpoint Community College, to learn more about popular programs within the state. Shell has more than 23 years of clinical experience and helped build Brightpoint’s radiologic technology program from the ground up. Follow her advice to understand what admissions teams look for, how to compare curricula, and how to choose the best school for long-term rad tech success.
Explore our Virginia healthcare degree program directory to compare education options and find rad tech programs near you.
Key Takeaways:
- Virginia offers many accredited radiologic technology programs for local students interested in pursuing rad tech careers.
- Evaluate your program options by comparing accreditation, clinical experience, certification exam pass rates, retention, and employment outcomes.
- Volunteering, shadowing, or working in a healthcare setting can strengthen your application and demonstrate your genuine interest in a rad tech career.
- Practice articulating your understanding of the field and program to make a strong impression during your interview.
What to Look for in a Radiologic Technology Program in Virginia
Most associate degree programs in radiologic technology lead to the same national credential. But programs with strong clinical partnerships tend to give students more hands-on exposure to the equipment they’ll use on the job. That’s why it’s helpful to consider factors beyond location and cost when comparing schools and curricula.
Shell recommends that you consider the following as you begin your search:
- Accreditation: Confirm that each program on your list is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Graduating from an accredited program is required before you can take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam.
- Retention Rate: This is the percentage of first-time, first-year students who return for their second year of study. Schools can define and report retention differently, so Shell encourages students to look at retention rate alongside other measures of success.
- Credentialing Exam Pass Rate: Shell notes that a program where 100% of students graduate but only 50% pass the national certification exam deserves a closer look. Students must pass the national certification exam to earn the ARRT certification required for most radiologic technology positions.
- Cost: Before you make a decision, it’s important to understand tuition costs and fees. Ask about scholarships, grants, or hospital-sponsored tuition assistance. Several community college programs are eligible for Virginia’s G3 funding, which covers tuition, fees, and books for qualifying students.
- Structure and Clinical Experience: Consider how long the program takes, the weekly schedule, where you’ll do clinical rotations, and how many total training hours you’ll log. Exposure to different healthcare settings is also key for building confidence.
- Location and Logistics: Determine how long it will take to travel to campus and clinical site locations. Know how you’ll get there and whether the schedule will align with your other responsibilities.
- Employment Data: Employment outcomes help demonstrate how successfully graduates are transitioning into the field. Demand for radiologic technologists remains strong, and many programs report that 100% of recently graduated students have gained employment in the field. “If you want a job, you’re going to have a job,” Shell says.
8 Popular Rad Tech Programs to Consider in Virginia
Virginia offers several paths into radiologic technology, including rad tech associate degree programs at community colleges and bachelor’s degree programs at four-year universities. The right choice depends on your location, timeline, financing, and long-term career goals.
Below, we highlight 8 popular rad tech programs in Virginia to explore as you begin your search. All are JRCERT accredited as of 2026. Specific details can change, so be sure to check each school’s website for the most current information before applying.
1. Brightpoint Community College
- Program Location: Midlothian, Virginia
- Degree Type: Radiologic Technology, AAS
- Course Length: 2 years
Brightpoint Community College is one of the largest institutions in the Virginia Community College System. Through hands-on training in radiologic sciences, patient care, procedures, imaging, and radiation protection, Brightpoint teaches students how to use radiation to produce images that help physicians diagnose and treat various health conditions.
Students learn in the classroom and spend over 1,400 hours working in clinical locations — equivalent to about nine months of full-time employment. G3 tuition assistance is available to students who qualify.
2. Northern Virginia Community College
- Program Location: Springfield, Virginia (Medical Education Campus)
- Degree Type: Associate of Science in Radiography
- Course Length: 2 years
The 70-credit rad tech degree program at Northern Virginia Community College includes 14 prerequisite credits. Students learn how to safely use radiation to take diagnostic images of the human body, following a curriculum that includes anatomy, patient positioning, examination techniques, equipment protocols, radiation safety, and patient care.
3. Piedmont Virginia Community College
- Program Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
- Degree Type: Associate of Applied Science in Radiography
- Course Length: 21 months
The radiologic technology program at Piedmont Virginia Community College prepares students for entry-level jobs in radiography. The 72-credit, competency-based degree program moves students from foundational coursework into diagnostic imaging training over 21 months. Eligible students can apply for the school’s G3 funding.
4. Virginia Commonwealth University
- Program Location: Richmond, Virginia
- Degree Type: Bachelor of Science in Clinical Radiation Sciences (radiography concentration)
- Course Length: Eight semesters
Virginia Commonwealth University offers Virginia’s only B.S. program, with coursework spanning all modalities. This gives students a strong foundation for both technical and professional demands.
Participants earn a B.S. in Clinical Radiation Sciences and can choose a concentration in nuclear medicine technology, radiation therapy, radiography, or diagnostic medical sonography. Classes average just 14 students, with a student-faculty ratio of 13:1. The school reports a 100% job placement rate for new graduates across all concentrations, as of the past 5 years.
5. Central Virginia Community College
- Program Location: Lynchburg, Virginia
- Degree Type: Radiologic Technology, AAS
- Course Length: 2 years
The radiologic technology program at Central Virginia Community College pairs classroom instruction with supervised clinical training. Students develop practical and technical skills in radiography, patient care, procedures, and radiation protection to prepare for entry-level roles in the field.
Over 700 students have graduated from this intensive six-semester curriculum. Students are expected to be on campus or in clinical facilities five days per week throughout each semester.
6. Tidewater Community College
- Program Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Degree Type: Radiography, AAS
- Course Length: 7 semesters
Tidewater Community College blends classroom coursework with real-world clinical practice to prepare students for radiologic technology careers. This seven-semester, 72-credit program focuses on developing skills in conceptual and theoretical understanding, analytical judgment, and critical thinking. Clinical rotations in settings like hospitals, imaging centers, and doctors’ offices teach radiation protection, professional ethics, and safe patient care.
7. Riverside College of Health Sciences
- Program Location: Newport News, Virginia
- Degree Type: Radiologic Technology, AAS
- Course Length: 2 years
Riverside College of Health Sciences equips students for entry-level rad tech and medical imaging roles through 69.5 core credit hours comprising classroom learning and clinical experience. The curriculum prioritizes positioning skills, radiation safety, effective patient communication, and critical thinking. Students gain valuable experience learning how to evaluate radiographic images, perform non-routine procedures, and apply ethical decision-making in professional settings.
8. Virginia Western Community College
- Program Location: Roanoke, Virginia
- Degree Type: Radiography, AAS
- Course Length: 2 years
Virginia Western Community College offers a 71-credit radiography program with a five-year employment rate of 100%. It combines on-campus classes with clinical courses throughout facilities in Roanoke Valley and New River Valley, including a Level 1 Trauma center.
Students are trained on state-of-the-art equipment using advanced techniques for imaging diagnosis. They rotate through operating rooms and imaging modalities such as CT, MRI, mammography, interventional radiography, cardiac cath, and more.
What Rad Tech Programs Look for in Applications and Interviews
Once you’ve identified a few rad tech programs in Virginia, spend some time researching how they evaluate applicants. Admission requirements can vary, but there are several ways to build a stronger application. The tips below are based on Shell’s experience evaluating applicants for Brightpoint’s radiologic technology program.
Complete Prerequisite Courses
“Strong prerequisites can help make your application more competitive,” Shell says. Some degree programs prefer or require coursework in subjects like anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, or ethics. Review application requirements early to know which courses to complete before you apply.
Gain Healthcare Experience
“We also look for whether you have any healthcare experience,” Shell explains, noting that experience doesn’t have to be specific to radiologic technology. Volunteering at a hospital, working in another medical role, or shadowing a rad tech department can show that you’re motivated, are genuinely interested in the field, and understand what patient-focused care looks like. It also gives you specific examples to draw from when answering interview questions.
Research the Program and Profession
Shell recommends arriving at your interview prepared to explain why you want to become a radiologic technologist and what you know about the profession. This means researching more than just the job description.
Be ready to show that you:
- Recognize what sets the field, school, and program apart
- Understand the program’s effectiveness data and graduation rate
- Know how many students pass the national certification exam
“If they can answer these questions thoroughly, you know they have researched the program and the profession,” says Shell.
Practice Your Communication Skills
Strong communication skills matter in a patient-facing field like radiologic technology. “If you’re going to be a healthcare worker, you have to be able to communicate,” Shell says.
Her team evaluates several things during applicant interviews, including:
- How you present yourself
- How you interact with others
- How well you articulate your answers and thought process
You can practice answering common interview questions with a classmate or friend before your interview. Rather than memorizing answers, prepare a few specific examples that demonstrate your interest, communication skills, and understanding of patient care.
Think Carefully About Your Reasons for Pursuing Radiologic Technology
Your application and interview should give admissions teams a clear sense of why you want to pursue radiologic technology in Virginia. Maybe you enjoy working with technology and want to develop your technical skills. Or maybe you’re interested in diagnostic medicine and want a career that allows you to interact with patients and help them through important parts of their care.
Whatever your reason, make sure it’s genuine and specific. Understanding why you want to pursue this career can help you choose the right school and stay motivated throughout your studies.
Your Path Into Radiologic Technology Starts Here
Radiologic technology offers a practical introduction to healthcare for students who want to make a real difference in patients’ lives through technology-driven care. With rad tech programs ranging from two-year associate degrees to four-year bachelor’s degrees, you can choose the level of study that aligns with your finances, timeline, and goals.
Shell’s advice to aspiring radiologic technologists highlights the value of looking beyond location and cost. Accreditation, clinical opportunities, graduation data, employment outcomes, and other factors can help you determine which program is the best fit.
Ready to take the next step? Search Virginia healthcare degree programs to find radiologic technology curricula built for technology-driven, patient-focused careers.
