# Nevada

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Radiologic technologists play an important role in medicine. They are technicians with at least a two-year degree and they work in hospitals, clinics, and other medical settings assisting doctors and patients with radiological procedures and diagnostic tests.

([Leer esta información en español](https://radiologyed.org/es/nevada/))

As the population of the country grows and ages, [all kinds of health careers are on the rise](https://radiologyed.org/prospects/), including those in radiology. Nevada is no exception and is a state that will continue to need healthcare workers in general, and radiologic technicians, in particular. Large medical centers in Las Vegas and smaller facilities in smaller towns alike will continue to need people to fill these jobs.

## Responsibilities of Radiologic Technologist

Radiologic technologists are responsible for operating equipment to take high-quality images of the body that can be used by doctors to diagnose illnesses and injuries. They use x-ray machines, ultrasound devices, CT scanners, and other imaging equipment in order to take these images. They may also be trained to do various procedures such as biopsies and mammograms. They maintain treatment records, carry out radiographic analysis, answer patient questions and ensure patient safety by following all protocols.

## State Requirements

The state of [Nevada only requires mammography technologists to be certified](http://dpbh.nv.gov/Reg/Mammo/dta/FAQs/Mammography_-_FAQs/). The technologist needs 3 certifications: certification from the FDA for the lawful operation of all mammography machines, an accreditation certificate from The American College of Radiology, and a state certificate of authorization from the Nevada Radiation Control Program (RCP). Nevada also requires all practicing radiologic technologists to hold a state permit issued by the Nevada State Health Division, Radiological Health Section. See the licensing section below for full details.

## Accredited Radiology Tech Programs in Nevada: 2026 Guide

Nevada licenses radiologic technologists through the Nevada State Health Division, and the state is one of a small number that requires a separate state permit on top of ARRT certification before you can practice legally. That distinction matters when you are comparing programs, because schools that build Nevada-specific licensing prep into their curriculum can shave weeks off your job search after graduation. With 1,840 radiologic technologists and technicians currently employed across the state, and a median annual wage of $82,910 according to BLS May 2025 OEWS data, the career offers a clear return on the investment you make in school.

This page covers every JRCERT-accredited radiography program in Nevada, with tuition figures, completion rates, ARRT exam pass rates, and placement data drawn directly from JRCERT records. Five programs are currently accredited. They range from a community college charging in-state residents under $4,000 to a private career college priced at $45,000, so the comparison table below is worth reading carefully before you apply anywhere.

## Nevada Radiologic Technology Salary Data

Pay varies considerably depending on role, setting, and how long you have been in the field. The figures below come from BLS May 2025 OEWS data and reflect Nevada-specific employment.

### Radiologic Technologists and Technicians (SOC 29-2034)

Nevada employs 1,840 radiologic technologists and technicians. The median annual wage is $82,910, and the mean is $88,620. Entry-level earners at the 10th percentile bring in $65,710 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn $76,100. Senior technologists at the 75th percentile reach $103,830, and top earners at the 90th percentile hit $121,700.

Las Vegas and Reno are the two largest hiring markets. Both cities carry a cost of living that runs higher than many rural Nevada communities, but wages in those metros generally reflect that. Rural positions in places like Elko or Winnemucca may offer lower nominal wages, though housing and transportation costs are often significantly lower than in Clark County.

### MRI Technologists (SOC 29-2035): A Career Progression Benchmark

Completing a radiography program and earning your ARRT credential opens the door to advanced certifications, including MRI. Nevada employs 340 MRI technologists. Their median annual wage is $98,260, with a mean of $101,830. The 10th percentile earns $84,610, and the 90th percentile reaches $124,120 per BLS May 2025 OEWS data. That gap between a starting radiographer and an experienced MRI tech – roughly $18,000 at the median – illustrates how quickly additional credentials translate into higher pay in this field.

[St. Mary’s Medical Group](//www.saintmarysreno.com/)
 235 West 6th Street
 Reno, NV 89503

[Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center](//www.carsontahoe.com/)
 1600 Medical Parkway
 Carson City, NV 89703

[Banner Churchill Community Hospital](https://www.bannerhealth.com/locations/fallon/banner-churchill-community-hospital)
 801 E. Williams
 Fallon, NV 89406

[Desert Springs Hospital](//www.desertspringshospital.com/) Medical Center
 2075 E. Flamingo Rd.
 Las Vegas, NV 89119

[Flamingo Surgery Center](//flamingosurgerycenter.com/)
 2565 E. Flamingo Rd.
 Las Vegas, NV 89121

[VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System](//www.reno.va.gov/)
 975 Kirman Avenue
 Reno, NV 89502

## Nevada Licensing Requirements for Radiologic Technologists

Nevada requires all practicing radiologic technologists to hold a state permit issued by the Nevada State Health Division, Radiological Health Section. Meeting the following requirements is necessary before you can work in the state:

- Graduate from a JRCERT-accredited radiography program (all five programs listed on this page qualify)
- Pass the ARRT radiography examination
- Submit a Nevada State Health Division permit application with the required fee
- Pass a background check
- Maintain the permit through continuing education aligned with ARRT renewal requirements

Nevada does not currently issue a temporary permit that allows you to practice while your full application is pending, so timing your application submission closely to your ARRT exam date matters. Some programs help students initiate the state permit process before graduation. Ask admissions staff directly whether that support is built into the program.

Out-of-state technologists who hold a current ARRT credential and a valid permit from another state may apply for Nevada licensure by endorsement. Requirements and processing times can change, so verify current procedures directly with the Nevada State Health Division before relocating.

## JRCERT-Accredited Radiography Programs in Nevada

All five programs below hold current JRCERT accreditation. Accreditation matters because ARRT requires graduation from a JRCERT-accredited program to sit for the certification exam. Programs without it are not a valid path to licensure in Nevada.

### [Great Basin College](https://www.gbcnv.edu/programs/health_sciences/as_rad/as_curriculum.html) – Elko, NV

Great Basin College runs a 22-month radiography program at its Elko campus. In-state tuition is $4,800, making it the most affordable accredited option in Nevada by a significant margin. Out-of-state students pay $8,064. The program has a completion rate of 91%, an ARRT exam pass rate of 90%, and a job placement rate of 98%. The program incorporates distance education components, which gives students in rural northern Nevada more flexibility. Clinical settings span a wide geographic range across the state, including sites in Elko, Reno, Las Vegas, Fallon, Winnemucca, Carson City, and Ely. Total program capacity is 25 students per cohort, so seats are limited.

### [Northwest Career College](https://www.northwestcareercollege.edu/radiography.html) – Las Vegas, NV

Northwest Career College offers an 18-month radiography program in Las Vegas. Tuition is $45,000 for all students regardless of residency. The program holds a completion rate of 100% and a current accreditation term of 3 years. Exam pass rate data is not available in the current JRCERT dataset for this program [VERIFY: current ARRT exam pass rate from program directly]. With a total capacity of 80 students, it is among the larger programs in the state. Clinical placements are concentrated in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, with an extensive list of outpatient imaging centers, orthopedic practices, surgical centers, and hospital-based settings including VA facilities.

### [Pima Medical Institute – Las Vegas](https://pmi.edu/on-campus-programs/associate/radiography/), NV

Pima Medical Institute runs a 22-month radiography program on its Las Vegas campus. Tuition is $25,500 for all students. The program has a completion rate of 91%, an ARRT exam pass rate of 91%, and a job placement rate of 94%. It holds the largest total capacity of any Nevada program at 115 students. Clinical affiliations cover a wide range of hospital systems and outpatient imaging groups throughout southern Nevada, with a few sites extending into Kingman and Bullhead City, Arizona, which can be useful for students who live in the Boulder City or Laughlin corridor.

### Truckee Meadows Community College – Reno, NV

Truckee Meadows Community College runs a 21-month program from its Reno campus. In-state tuition is $3,600, the lowest of any Nevada program. Out-of-state tuition is $11,283.50. The program posts the highest ARRT exam pass rate of any Nevada program at 96%, with a completion rate of 95% and a job placement rate of 94%. Capacity is 60 students. Clinical settings are concentrated in the Reno-Sparks metro area, with additional placements in Carson City and Gardnerville. The program does not currently offer distance education options.

*Note: A verified program page URL for Truckee Meadows Community College was not available at time of publication. Visit the TMCC Health Sciences department directly to confirm current admission cycles.*

### [University of Nevada, Las Vegas](https://catalog.unlv.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=47&poid=13337)

UNLV offers a 24-month radiography program, the longest in the state. In-state tuition is $9,955. Out-of-state tuition is $28,097. The program has a completion rate of 100% and a job placement rate of 100%, with an ARRT exam pass rate of 92%. Total capacity is 56 students. As a university-based program, it operates within a broader academic health sciences context, which can provide research exposure and a stronger foundation for students considering graduate-level advancement later in their careers. Clinical sites include major Las Vegas hospital systems, outpatient imaging centers, and VA facilities across Clark County.

## Nevada Radiology Program Comparison Table

| Institution | Length | Resident Tuition | Completion Rate | ARRT Pass Rate | Placement Rate | Accreditation | Evening/Weekend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Great Basin College | 22 mo. | $4,800 | 91% | 90% | 98% | 8 Years | No |
| Northwest Career College | 18 mo. | $45,000 | 100% | n/a | n/a | 3 Years | No |
| Pima Medical Institute-Las Vegas | 22 mo. | $25,500 | 91% | 91% | 94% | 8 Years | No |
| Truckee Meadows CC | 21 mo. | $3,600 | 95% | 96% | 94% | 8 Years | No |
| University of Nevada, Las Vegas | 24 mo. | $9,955 | 100% | 92% | 100% | 8 Years | No |

## What to Look for in a Nevada Radiology Program

Choosing a program involves more than finding the lowest tuition or the shortest timeline. The following factors are specific to Nevada’s job market and regulatory environment.

### JRCERT Accreditation Term Length

Four of Nevada’s five programs hold 8-year accreditation terms, which is the maximum JRCERT awards. That signals consistent quality over multiple review cycles. Northwest Career College currently holds a 3-year term. Shorter terms are not automatically a red flag – programs can receive them for administrative or procedural reasons – but they do indicate the program is under closer review. Ask the school directly what conditions prompted the shorter term before enrolling.

### ARRT Exam Pass Rates

The ARRT first-attempt pass rate is the clearest measure of how well a program prepares students for the licensing exam. Nevada programs with published rates range from 90% to 96%. A rate below 85% at any program would be cause for concern. Look at multiple years of data when possible, not just the most recent cohort, since small class sizes can cause year-to-year swings.

### Clinical Hours and Site Diversity

JRCERT requires a minimum number of clinical hours, but the quality and variety of those hours matter as much as the count. Programs with clinical sites across hospital emergency departments, outpatient imaging centers, orthopedic clinics, and VA facilities give you broader procedural exposure. Great Basin College’s network spans from Elko to Las Vegas, which is unusual for a rural program. UNLV and Pima Medical Institute both work with University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, a Level I trauma center, which adds trauma imaging experience that is hard to replicate elsewhere.

### Nevada Licensing Prep

Because Nevada requires a state permit separate from ARRT certification, programs that actively support students through the permit application process – rather than leaving it entirely to the graduate – give you a practical advantage in your job search timeline. Ask each program whether they assist with Nevada State Health Division paperwork and whether they hold any mock board or ARRT prep sessions.

### Program Length vs. Tuition Trade-offs

The 18-month program at Northwest Career College is the fastest path to eligibility in Nevada, but it also carries the highest price tag at $45,000. Truckee Meadows Community College takes 21 months at $3,600 for in-state students and posts the highest pass rate in the state. The extra three months and significantly lower debt burden are a reasonable trade-off for most students. UNLV’s 24-month program costs $9,955 in-state and produces a 100% job placement rate, which suggests employer demand for its graduates is strong.

### Class Size and Cohort Capacity

Program capacity directly affects how competitive admissions are. Great Basin College accepts only 25 students per cycle. UNLV accepts 56. Pima Medical Institute accepts up to 115, making it the most accessible in terms of seat availability. Smaller cohorts often allow more individual attention from faculty and a more consistent clinical placement experience.

## Program Length, Clinical Hours, and ARRT Exam Preparation

Nevada’s five accredited programs range from 18 to 24 months in length. All are designed to meet JRCERT standards for clinical competency, which means students complete a defined set of mandatory and elective radiographic procedures before they graduate. The specific clinical hour requirements are set by JRCERT and enforced through accreditation review.

ARRT exam preparation is woven into program coursework across all five schools, but the structure varies. University-based programs like UNLV often integrate board prep into upper-division coursework spread over two full academic years. Shorter programs like Northwest Career College compress that preparation into 18 months. Neither approach is inherently superior, but students who know they need more time to absorb material may find that longer programs provide better pacing.

After completing any of the programs on this page, graduates must apply to ARRT, pay the exam fee, and schedule their radiography examination. ARRT allows graduates to apply for examination within a defined window after program completion. Letting that window lapse without sitting the exam creates complications, so plan your exam date before you graduate.

## Frequently Asked Questions About Radiology Tech Programs in Nevada

### How long does it take to become a radiologic technologist in Nevada?

Accredited programs in Nevada take between 18 and 24 months to complete. After graduating, you need to pass the ARRT examination and obtain a Nevada State Health Division permit before you can work. From the first day of classes to your first day of employment, most students complete the full process in under two and a half years.

### What is the average salary for a radiology tech in Nevada?

According to BLS May 2025 OEWS data, the median annual wage for radiologic technologists and technicians in Nevada is $82,910. The mean is $88,620. Entry-level positions at the 10th percentile start at $65,710. Experienced technologists at the 90th percentile earn $121,700.

### Do I need a state license to work as a radiology tech in Nevada?

Yes. Nevada requires a state permit from the Nevada State Health Division in addition to ARRT certification. You cannot practice legally in the state with ARRT credentials alone. The permit application requires proof of ARRT certification, a background check, and payment of the permit fee.

### Which Nevada radiology program has the highest ARRT pass rate?

Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno posts the highest ARRT exam pass rate of Nevada’s accredited programs at 96%, per current JRCERT data. UNLV follows at 92%, and Pima Medical Institute at 91%.

### What is the cheapest accredited radiology program in Nevada?

For Nevada residents, Truckee Meadows Community College has the lowest published tuition at $3,600. Great Basin College is close behind at $4,800 for in-state students. Both hold 8-year JRCERT accreditation terms and strong outcome metrics.

### Can I complete a radiology tech program online in Nevada?

JRCERT-accredited radiography programs cannot be completed entirely online because hands-on clinical training is required. Great Basin College and Northwest Career College incorporate distance education into their didactic coursework, which means some classroom instruction happens online or through hybrid delivery. The clinical components at all five programs require in-person attendance at affiliated sites.

### What clinical settings will I train in during a Nevada radiology program?

Clinical affiliations vary by program and geography. Las Vegas programs work with hospital systems like University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, Valley Hospital, and Sunrise Hospital, along with outpatient chains including Steinberg Diagnostic, Desert Radiology, SimonMed, and VA Southern Nevada facilities. The Reno-based TMCC program trains at Renown Regional Medical Center, Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center, Northern Nevada Medical Center, and several outpatient sites. Great Basin College offers one of the broadest geographic networks in the state, with placements as far south as Las Vegas and as far east as Ely.

### How competitive is admission to Nevada radiology programs?

Admission is selective at all five programs. Great Basin College limits each cohort to 25 students, making it the most competitive by capacity. UNLV admits up to 56. Most programs require prerequisite coursework in anatomy, physiology, and related sciences, along with minimum GPA standards. Some require observation hours or healthcare experience. Contact each program’s admissions office for current cycle deadlines, as many programs admit once or twice per year.

### What can I do after earning my radiography credential in Nevada?

The ARRT radiography credential qualifies you to work as a general radiographer, which covers the majority of hospital and outpatient imaging positions. From there, you can pursue ARRT post-primary certifications in MRI, CT, mammography, fluoroscopy, and other modalities. MRI technologists in Nevada earn a median of $98,260 per year per BLS May 2025 OEWS data, compared to $82,910 for general radiographers. Many employers in Nevada also offer tuition reimbursement for advanced certifications, which makes career progression financially accessible.

## Take the Next Step

Each of the five accredited programs above offers a distinct combination of cost, program length, location, and outcomes. If you are in northern Nevada, Great Basin College and Truckee Meadows Community College both offer strong metrics at public-school prices. If you are in Las Vegas and want a university degree alongside your credential, UNLV is worth a serious look. For students who need faster entry into the workforce and have access to financial aid or employer assistance, Northwest Career College and Pima Medical Institute provide paths that work for the right circumstances.

Visit the program pages linked above, request current application materials, and confirm upcoming cohort start dates directly with each school. Seat availability changes each cycle, and some programs accept applications year-round while others have fixed windows.

## Large Employers in Radiology

Las Vegas and Reno are the largest cities in the state and have the most jobs for radiologic technologists. However, there are smaller facilities in towns and in rural areas that need workers in this field too.

## Professional Organizations

Radiologic Technologists in Nevada can join the professional association of the [Nevada Society of Radiologic Technologists](https://www.nvsrt.org/). On the national level, workers in this field may take the exam set by the [American Registry of Radiologic Technologists](https://www.arrt.org/). They may also become members of the [American Society of Radiologic Technologists](https://www.asrt.org/).

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, or ARRT, is the largest and most widely recognized certification body in the United States. The organization offers certificates in multiple disciplines, including radiography, radiation therapy, mammography, sonography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), nuclear medicine technology, vascular-interventional radiography and quality management.

For more information about becoming a radiologic technologist, the education required, and the career possibilities, contact the [Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology](https://www.jrcert.org/).

## Sources

- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) — wage and employment figures. https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook — job outlook. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
- Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) — accredited programme directory (720 programmes). https://www.jrcert.org/programs/
- American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) — certification requirements. https://www.arrt.org/
- Nevada only requires mammography technologists to be certified — http://dpbh.nv.gov/Reg/Mammo/dta/FAQs/Mammography_-_FAQs/
- Great Basin College — https://www.gbcnv.edu/programs/health_sciences/as_rad/as_curriculum.html
- Northwest Career College — https://www.northwestcareercollege.edu/radiography.html
- Pima Medical Institute – Las Vegas — https://pmi.edu/on-campus-programs/associate/radiography/
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas — https://catalog.unlv.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=47&poid=13337
- Nevada Society of Radiologic Technologists — https://www.nvsrt.org/
- American Registry of Radiologic Technologists — https://www.arrt.org/
- American Society of Radiologic Technologists — https://www.asrt.org/
- Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology — https://www.jrcert.org/

Canonical: https://radiologyed.org/schools/nevada/
Last checked: 2026-08-19