ARRT: Computed Tomography (CT) Certification Examination Practice Test
Build your confidence for ARRT: Computed Tomography (CT) Certification Examination. Practice the concepts, understand the answers, and strengthen your knowledge one question at a time.
Try a sample questionExam overview and details
The ARRT Computed Tomography (CT) Certification Examination is the nationally recognized credential for radiologic technologists specializing in computed tomography. Administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), this certification validates a technologist's advanced knowledge, technical proficiency, and commitment to patient safety in CT imaging. Earning the credential demonstrates mastery across the entire CT process, from patient preparation and contrast administration to protocol optimization, image acquisition, and advanced post-processing. It signifies adherence to the highest professional standards in radiation safety, anatomy, pathology, and instrumentation. In an era of rapid technological advancement and increasing clinical complexity, the ARRT CT certification distinguishes technologists as experts capable of producing high-quality diagnostic images essential for accurate patient diagnosis and treatment planning. This credential is often a prerequisite for employment in hospital-based CT departments, outpatient imaging centers, and specialized facilities, solidifying the holder's role as a critical member of the diagnostic imaging team.
Sample Questions
Choose an answer and explore the explanation to see how practice works.
Six hours after CT with iodinated contrast, a patient calls with a mild pruritic maculopapular rash but no dyspnea or swelling. Which timing label is most appropriate?
A technologist wants to reduce dose in a renal stone CT while preserving stone detection. Which strategy is most appropriate?
Which noncontrast CT exam is commonly first-line for suspected ureteral stone in a nonpregnant adult?
A trauma patient has hypotension and suspected active abdominal bleeding. Which contrast phase is most important for detecting arterial extravasation?
A technologist reconstructs 5 mm abdomen images every 5 mm, but the radiologist needs smoother coronal reformats. What change best supports MPR quality without increasing acquisition dose?
Career Opportunities & Salary
Exam insights and study advice
Achieving ARRT CT certification is a pivotal career milestone that signifies specialized expertise and a commitment to professional excellence. It directly impacts career advancement by qualifying technologists for specialized CT positions, often leading to increased responsibility, supervisory roles, and higher earning potential. Beyond individual growth, certification is a mark of industry recognition, providing employers, physicians, and patients with confidence in the technologist's competency. In many states and healthcare institutions, this credential is either required or strongly preferred for practicing in CT, making it essential for job security and mobility. It elevates the standard of patient care by ensuring practitioners possess the validated knowledge to perform complex procedures safely and effectively, ultimately contributing to improved diagnostic outcomes.
Recommended
These are the backgrounds the certifying body suggests. Check the vendor's own page for anything it formally requires.
What this exam covers
Use the published domain weights to plan your study. Practice results do not predict your certification exam score.
01Image Production
Topics
- CT unit components, detector arrays, DAS, slip rings, and acquisition geometry
- axial, helical, volumetric, cine, dual-energy, dual-source, and photon-counting CT
- filtered back projection, vendor iterative reconstruction, model-based IR, and deep learning reconstruction
- reconstruction slice thickness, interval, kernel, raw data, image data, interpolation, and MPR
- HU values, matrix, pixel, voxel, DFOV, SFOV, window width, window level, and ROI measurement
- beam hardening, partial volume, motion, ring, metal, edge-gradient, and cone-beam artifacts
02Patient Care and Education
03Procedures
Topics
- head, stroke, brain perfusion, CTA, CTV, temporal bone, sinus, orbit, maxillofacial, and spine CT
- neck, chest, CTPA, HRCT, low-dose lung screening, cardiac CT, airway, mediastinum, and chest wall CT
- abdomen and pelvis including liver, pancreas, renal mass, CT urogram, renal stone, appendicitis, trauma, and bowel protocols
- vascular CTA and CTV including dissection, runoff, mesenteric ischemia, venous thrombosis, and active bleeding
- musculoskeletal CT, arthrography, fracture assessment, joint planning, and multiplanar or 3D orthopedic reconstructions
- CT-guided biopsy, drainage, aspiration, procedural consent, coagulation status, monitoring, and complication recognition
04Safety
Topics
- ALARA, Image Gently, Image Wisely, and pediatric protocol optimization
- CTDIvol, DLP, SSDE, phantom size, diagnostic reference levels, and dose reports
- kVp, mA, mAs, pitch, rotation time, collimation, scan length, and dose modulation
- dose notification, dose alert, Dose Check, and dose-management review
- pregnancy, occupational exposure, shielding, AEC, centering, and overranging
- repeat prevention through motion control, breath-hold coaching, and validated protocols