CT Techs: Finish These CEs Before December 2026

September is here, and if you are a CT technologist with an ARRT certification renewal coming up, now is the perfect time to take stock of your continuing education progress. The December deadline always sneaks up faster than we expect — especially when you are juggling full-time shifts, on-call rotations, and life outside the scanner room.

The good news? You still have a solid quarter to wrap up any remaining credits. The even better news? This quick checklist will help you figure out exactly what you need to finish before year-end, so you can renew with confidence and zero last-minute panic.

Let us walk through the essentials together.

Understanding Your ARRT CE Requirements for 2026

First things first: let us clarify what the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists actually requires for CT technologists renewing in 2026. If your certification expires December 31, 2026, you need to complete 24 continuing education credits during your two-year biopsy period (2025–2026).

Here is the breakdown that matters:

• 24 total CE credits over the two-year cycle
• At least 12 credits must be Category A (structured education with an educational objective and post-test)
• The remaining credits can be Category A or Category A+ (hands-on learning like workshops or clinical preceptorships)
• One credit in ethics is mandatory and must be completed within the current biopsy period

If you hold multiple ARRT credentials — say, CT and MRI, or CT and Radiography — you still only need 24 credits total, but they must be relevant to at least one of your certifications. That is a relief for multi-modality techs who worried about doubling up.

Check Your Current CE Balance Right Now

Log into your ARRT account at arrt.org and navigate to your CE Audit Summary. This dashboard shows you exactly where you stand: how many Category A credits you have banked, whether your ethics requirement is checked off, and how many credits remain.

If you have not logged in recently, do it today. Seriously — bookmark this article, open a new tab, and spend three minutes confirming your numbers. You might discover you are closer to the finish line than you thought, or you might realize you need to accelerate your pace before the fall gets busy.

Pay special attention to these details:

• Does your ethics credit show as completed? If not, prioritize that immediately.
• Are you short on Category A credits? You cannot make up the gap with just any activity; it has to be structured education.
• Do any of your completed courses have reporting errors? Occasionally, CE providers fail to submit credits properly. If something looks off, reach out to the provider now — not in late November.

What Counts as Radiology CE for CT Technologists

Not every webinar or conference session will earn you imaging CEUs. The ARRT is specific about what qualifies, and understanding the rules will save you time and money.

Category A continuing education must be pre-approved by an ARRT-recognized provider and include a formal learning objective plus a post-assessment. Think online courses from ASRT, university-based programs, or manufacturer training that has been submitted for ARRT approval.

Category A+ credits are rarer but valuable. These are experiential learning opportunities — think hands-on workshops at RSNA, clinical preceptorships, or advanced scanning technique labs. They count toward your 24 total credits and can supplement (but not replace) your Category A minimum.

Topics that typically qualify for CT techs include:

• Advanced CT protocols and dose optimization
• Cross-sectional anatomy and pathology recognition
• Contrast media safety and patient assessment
• Radiation safety and ALARA principles
• Quality control and equipment maintenance
• Patient care, communication, and ethics

If you are considering a course and the ARRT approval is not clearly listed, contact the provider before you pay. A ‘Certificate of Completion’ is not the same as ARRT-recognized CE.

Smart Strategies to Finish Strong Before December

You have three months. That is twelve weeks, or roughly one CE credit every other week if you are starting from zero (though most of you are further along). Here is how to make it manageable:

Prioritize your ethics credit first. If you have not completed it yet, knock it out this week. Most ethics courses are short — one to two hours — and widely available. The ASRT offers several affordable options, and many state societies provide free ethics modules to members.

Batch your learning. Set aside one weekend morning or two evenings per month dedicated solely to CE. Treat it like a shift you cannot skip. Consistency beats cramming, and you will retain more when you are not racing the clock in late December.

Look for bundled offerings. Many CE providers offer discounted multi-course packages. If you need six or eight credits, a bundle can save you money and streamline your transcript.

Audit your workplace training. Did your hospital bring in a vendor for new CT software training? Did you attend a lunch-and-learn on contrast protocols? Sometimes these sessions qualify for CE if the presenter submitted them for ARRT approval. Check with your radiology educator or the vendor rep.

Join your professional association. ASRT membership includes access to a library of free CE courses. If you are not a member, the annual dues often pay for themselves in CE savings alone.

What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?

Let us be honest: life happens. Equipment breaks, family needs arise, and sometimes December 31 arrives before you are ready. If you find yourself short on credits as the deadline approaches, here is what you need to know.

The ARRT does not offer extensions, but they do provide a reinstatement pathway. If your certification lapses, you cannot work as a credentialed CT technologist until you complete the missing requirements and pay reinstatement fees. That means potential lost income, scheduling headaches for your employer, and stress you do not need.

The reinstatement process requires you to complete all missing CE credits plus submit an application and fee. Depending on how long your certification has lapsed, you may face additional requirements. It is always easier — and cheaper — to finish on time.

If you are genuinely struggling to meet the CT tech continuing education requirements due to extenuating circumstances, contact the ARRT directly. They evaluate hardship requests on a case-by-case basis, but you need to reach out well before the deadline, not after.

Resources to Bookmark for the Home Stretch

Here are a few trusted sources to help you close out your radiology CE deadline with confidence:

• ASRT (asrt.org): The gold standard for radiologic technology CE, with hundreds of courses across all modalities
• RadiologyEducation.com: Affordable online courses with instant certificates
• Medscape Radiology: Free CME/CE activities (verify ARRT approval for each course)
• Your state radiologic technology society: Often provides free or low-cost CE for members
• RSNA and ACR educational libraries: High-quality content, though not all courses carry ARRT credit

Set a calendar reminder for mid-October and again for mid-November to check your progress. Two quick check-ins will keep you on track without the stress of a December scramble.

You Have Got This ✨

Finishing your ARRT CE requirements 2026 before December is absolutely doable. You have the skills, the time, and now a clear checklist to guide you. Whether you need two credits or twelve, breaking it into small, manageable steps makes all the difference.

And if you are thinking about your next career move — maybe a travel CT position, a leadership role, or a change of scenery — the Intuites Recruiting Team is here to help. We specialize in connecting imaging and diagnostic professionals with opportunities that match your goals and lifestyle. Reach out anytime at contact@intuites.healthcare or visit intuites.healthcare to explore what is out there. We would love to hear from you.

Now go log into that ARRT account, map out your remaining credits, and finish strong. You have got this 🤍.

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