The United States is facing a doctor shortage—according to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the country is projected to be short between 13,500 and 86,000 physicians by 2036. Radiologists are key players in a patient’s care team, serving as medical doctors who work to diagnose injuries and illnesses using state-of-the-art medical imaging technology. If you’re mapping out your career in medicine and are interested in radiology, you’re making a smart choice for a fulfilling and essential career in healthcare. This guide will walk you through how to become a radiologist, outlining the necessary educational and training steps. By following this path, you’ll be well-positioned to enter this critical and rewarding field of medicine.
How long does it take to become a radiologist?
After high school, it takes approximately 13 years of training to become a radiologist. This includes medical school, a residency, and studying for and taking licensure and certification exams. It’s a long process, but the payoff is immense—once you’ve become a radiologist, you’ll make a major impact in the lives of patients across the country!
How to Become a Radiologist: A Step-by-Step Guide
Want to make the jump into becoming one of these crucial medical providers? Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to become a radiologist:
1. Attend Medical School
Radiologists are doctors with either a medical doctor (MD) or a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) degree, so to start the process of becoming a radiologist, you first need to become a physician.
After graduating with an undergraduate degree in a related field (like biology or another science), you’ll need to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). With your test results in hand, you’ll then need to attend and graduate from an accredited medical school—either an allopathic medical school (where you’ll earn your MD) or an osteopathic medical school (where you’ll earn your DO).
2. Become a Licensed Physician
As a prospective physician, you’ll have to pass a licensing exam. The licensing exam you’ll need to take depends on the kind of school you graduated from—MDs need to take the United States Medical Licensure Examination (USMLE), while DOs can take either the USMLE or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensure Exam (COMLEX-USA).
3. Finish a Multi-Year Residency
Now that you have your degree and your license, it’s time to put what you learned into practice. After medical school, you’ll need to apply to a medical residency where you’ll get hands-on experience working as a healthcare provider. These residencies typically last around four to five years, during which time you’ll interpret real radiological results, care for patients, and learn as much as you can.
4. Complete a Fellowship
If you want to become a more specialized radiologist, such as a neuroradiologist or other specialty, you’ll have to complete a fellowship where you learn those specific skills. These fellowships can last around one to two years.
5. Get Board Certified
Typically, employers require a radiologist to be board certified before they begin working. If you’re an MD, you’ll have to be board certified by the American Board of Radiology, and if you’re a DO, you’ll have to be certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Radiology.
How do I get certified by the American Board of Radiology?
If you’ve earned an MD and you’re looking to become a radiologist, you’ll typically need to get board certification from the American Board of Radiology (ABR).
You’ll need to take two exams to get initial certification in diagnostic radiology by the ABR.
The Qualifying (Core) Exam is offered after 36 months of your residency training. It’s designed to evaluate your core knowledge and clinical judgment across practice domains of diagnostic radiology and integrated interventional radiology. The exam is computerized and takes place over three days.
The Certifying Exam can be taken approximately 15 months after completion of your radiology residency, and must be taken after passing the Qualifying Exam. The exam emphasizes synthesis of information, differential diagnosis, and patient management. The exam consists of four modules- essentials of diagnostic radiology and an additional three modules in clinical practice of your choice. The exam is approximately 7.5 hours long.
How do I get certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Radiology?
If you’re an DO, you’ll typically need to get certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Radiology to become a practicing radiologist.
To get certified by the AOCR, you’ll need to take a written and an oral exam.
To take the written exam, you’ll need to be in the third or fourth year of a training program. The exam consists of a physics section, which is made up of 50 multiple choice questions and a diagnostic imaging section, which is made up of 250 multiple choice questions.
To take the oral exam, candidates must first pass the written exam and be in their fourth and final year of training (or later).
What are the continuing education requirements for radiologists?
To stay certified, you will need to meet continuing education (CE) requirements. CE requirements vary by state, so check with the state you’re licensed in to ensure you meet all of the requirements.
For continuing certification, the American Board of Radiology requires a minimum of 75 AMA Category 1 CME credits every three years. It also requires passing the most recent Online Longitudinal Assessment performance evaluation or having passed a Continuing Certification Exam in the previous five years. The ABR also requires radiologists to complete at least one Practice Quality Improvement Project or Participatory Quality Improvement Activity every three years.
To stay certified, the American Osteopathic Board of Radiology requires you to have active licensure, earn at least 60 specialty CME credits every three years, and complete 15 Self Assessment modules. They must also complete an Osteopathic Continuous Certification Practice Performance Assessment (PPA) every three year CME cycle.
How much do radiologists make?
Radiologists made an average annual salary of $359,820 in May 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This is the fifth highest earner of all physicians, according to the BLS.
Locum tenens radiologists can earn more than their permanent counterparts, although this depends heavily on where the assignment is, what the facility’s need is, and your experience.
Locum tenens radiologists can command impressive hourly rates across different specialties. Diagnostic radiologists in locum tenens positions may earn up to $330 per hour. For interventional radiology (IR) specialists working locum tenens, the hourly rate ranges from $375 to $450. Non-interventional radiology (NIR) specialists in locum tenens roles can see even higher compensation, with hourly rates potentially exceeding $500.
Learn more about radiologist salary in our comprehensive salary guide!
Why become a locum tenens radiologist?
Becoming a locum tenens radiologist offers numerous advantages for medical professionals seeking flexibility and diverse experiences. This career path allows radiologists to work in various healthcare settings across different locations, broadening their clinical expertise and professional network.
Additionally, locum tenens positions often come with competitive compensation rates, making it an attractive option for those looking to boost their income or pay off student loans while maintaining a work-life balance that suits their personal needs.
Find Locum Tenens Radiologist Jobs with Wellhart
If you’re already a radiologist, start your next adventure with a locum tenens job with Wellhart! When you work with Wellhart, you’ll get assigned an experienced locum tenens licensing and credentialing expert working to make the process as fast and easy as possible.
Check out our open positions and apply today!
This article was written by Liliana French in 2024 and was updated in May 2025 by Mike Connors to reflect updated information.