How to Become a Radiologist

Learn how to get licensed as a radiologist and find out what continuing education requirements you'll need to stay certified.

Radiologist

In short…

  • With a projected national shortage of up to 86,000 doctors by 2036, pursuing a career as a radiologist offers long-term stability and strong employment prospects.
  • Whether you’re considering diagnostic or interventional radiology, the pathway includes rigorous training—but the payoff is a meaningful, high-impact career in modern medicine.
  • It typically takes around 13 years to become a radiologist. 

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 on 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, essential career in healthcare. This guide will walk you through how to become a radiologist, outlining the necessary educational and training steps. 

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. Earn an Undergraduate Degree

Radiologists are physicians with either a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree, so to become a radiologist, you first need to become a physician.

But before you attend medical school, you’ll need to complete a bachelor’s degree, typically in a science-related field such as biology or chemistry. Once you’ve earned your undergraduate degree, you’ll need to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)—when you have your test results in hand, you can apply to medical schools.

2. Attend and Complete Medical School

As a prospective radiologist, you’ll need to 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). 

While you’re in medical school, you’ll begin taking your first steps toward medical licensure. The licensing exam you’ll need to take depends on the type 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).

According to the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), you’ll take Step 1 of the USMLE (if you’re earning an MD) or the COMLEX-USA Level 1 exam in your second year of medical school. Both of these assess whether you have a strong understanding of foundational biomedical sciences and can apply core scientific principles to patient care. 

In your third or fourth year of medical school, you’ll take Step 2 CK of the USMLE or the COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE exam. These determine your competence in clinical sciences and related physician competencies that are essential for providing medical care to patients under supervision. 

Finally, after your fourth year of medical school, you’ll obtain an MD or DO degree.

3. Complete a Clinical Year

Before you enter a radiology residency, you’ll have to complete a clinical year, also known as an internship year, a transitional year, or PGY-1. During this time, you’ll participate in direct but supervised patient care. 

Typically, this clinical year must be a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). 

4. Undertake Residency Training While Preparing for Licensing

Now that you have your medical degree and have completed your clinical year, it’s time to put what you learned into practice by participating in a residency accredited by the ACGME. These residencies typically last four years, during which time you’ll interpret real radiological results, care for patients, and work with licensed radiologists.

However, there are different residency paths depending on whether you’re looking to become a diagnostic radiologist or an interventional radiologist:

Diagnostic Radiology

Once you’ve completed your clinical year, you can then enter a four-year residency program in diagnostic radiology. Prospective radiologists must complete a minimum of four months of this residency training in nuclear radiology and a minimum of three months in mammography or breast imaging to become certified by the American Board of Radiology (ABR).

Interventional Radiology 

If you want to become an interventional radiologist certified by the ABR, there are two main training pathways:

  1. Integrated Interventional Radiology Residency: This requires one clinical year and five years of an ACGME-accredited interventional radiology residency, which includes diagnostic radiology training.
  2. Independent Interventional Radiology Residency: This requires successful completion of a diagnostic radiology residency and two additional years of an interventional radiology residency. 

For DOs to become an interventional radiologist certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Radiology (AOBR), you must have an AOBR certification in diagnostic radiology and also complete a 1-year American Osteopathic Association (AOA)- or ACGME-accredited fellowship program in interventional radiology. 

During your residency, you’ll also take the USMLE Step 3 or COMLEX-USA Level 3 exams, according to the FSMB. These exams assess whether you have the medical knowledge, clinical judgment, and competency in biomedical and clinical sciences needed for unsupervised practice of medicine.

After you start your residency, you can also apply for a state training license or a full and unrestricted state medical license, according to the FSMB. Make sure to check what your state offers—41 state medical boards issue a training license, and you might not be eligible to apply for a full license quite yet. 

5. Obtain a State Medical License 

Once you’ve taken and passed the USMLE Step 3 or COMLEX-USA Level 3, and before your medical residency ends, you can begin the application process for a full and unrestricted state medical license, according to the FSMB. Requirements for licensure vary depending on the state in which you intend to practice, so make sure to contact your state’s licensing board for full details. 

6. Become 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 ABR, and if you’re a DO, you can be certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Radiology (AOBR)—but if you’re a DO, you can also get board certified by the ABR, provided you meet the prerequisites. 

To become a board-certified diagnostic radiologist through the ABR, you’ll take two exams. The first is a Qualifying (Core) Exam that is offered after 36 months of residency training, and the second is a Certifying Exam taken 15 months after your residency. The process is similar for those who are looking to become certified as an interventional radiologist. 

To become a board-certified diagnostic radiologist through the AOBR you’ll also take two exams. The first is a written exam taken in the third or fourth year of a diagnostic radiology training program, and the second is an oral exam taken in the fourth and final year of training. The AOBR also offers a Subspecialty Certification in Vascular & Interventional Radiology, but you must have AOBR certification in diagnostic radiology and complete an interventional radiology fellowship program accredited by the AOA or ACGME. 

7. Complete a Fellowship (Optional)

If you want to become a more specialized radiologist, such as a neuroradiologist, you’ll have to complete a fellowship where you learn those specific skills. These fellowships can last around one to two years, and many fellowships require you to have completed a residency, be board certified, and hold a valid state license before you begin.

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 your undergraduate education, 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.

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 ranks fifth among all physician specialties, according to the BLS.

Locum tenens radiologists can earn more than their permanent counterparts. However, locum tenens rates depend heavily on where the assignment is, what the facility’s need is, and your experience.

Diagnostic radiologists in locum tenens positions may earn up to $330 per hour. For interventional radiology (IR) specialists working locum tenens jobs, the rate can be up to $450 an hour. 

Learn more about radiologist salaries in our comprehensive radiologist 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! Our experienced team of recruiters uses precision-matching technology to connect you with a radiologist job that meets your personal needs and professional goals. 

Check out our open positions and apply today!

This article was written by Liliana French in 2024 and was updated in July 2025 by Mike Connors to reflect updated information.