Top 11 Radiology Manager Certifications

Certifications are an important part of the job market for radiology managers. Certifications demonstrate a level of proficiency, knowledge, and skill in the field that employers look for when hiring. For example, certifications such as Certified Radiology Administrator (CRA) or Certified Radiologic Technologist (CRT) can be used to prove a manager’s ability to lead and manage a radiology department. Additionally, certifications provide evidence that a manager has taken the time to stay up-to-date on current trends and technology in the radiology industry. Finally, having certification can help bring credibility to a radiology manager's CV, which can make them more attractive to potential employers.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Radiology Managers and explain how they can help to further a radiology manager's career.

What are Radiology Manager Certifications?

Radiology Manager Certification is a credential that recognizes the knowledge, skills and abilities of radiology managers. This certification is offered through the American Society for Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), and it demonstrates a commitment to excellence in the field of radiology management. The certification process includes an examination that tests a candidate’s knowledge in areas such as patient safety, quality assurance, billing and coding, financial management, human resources, communication and professional ethics.

Having this certification can be beneficial to both employers and employees. For employers, it shows that the radiology manager has taken the time to become knowledgeable about their profession and has achieved a certain level of expertise in their field. For employees, having this certification may open up more job opportunities since many employers prefer to hire those who have obtained credentials in their field. Additionally, having this certification may give employees an edge when negotiating salary or other benefits as it demonstrates a higher level of skill and experience than other candidates without the credential. Finally, having this certification can also help radiology managers stay current on relevant topics within their profession as they must complete continuing education credits each year to maintain their status as certified radiologists managers.

Pro Tip: Become certified as a Radiology Manager to demonstrate your expertise and stand out from the competition. Certification programs typically require you to have at least three years of experience in the field, so be sure to plan ahead and start working towards certification early on in your career.

Related: What does a Radiology Manager do?

Top 11 Radiology Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Radiology Managers today.

1. American College of Radiology (ACR) Certified Radiology Manager (CRM)

The American College of Radiology (ACR) Certified Radiology Manager (CRM) program is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to manage radiology departments or services. The CRM credential is awarded to those who have achieved the highest level of professional excellence in their field.

To become certified, applicants must meet certain prerequisites, including having a minimum of three years of experience in radiology management and having completed an ACR-approved course in radiology management. In addition, applicants must pass an examination administered by the ACR. The exam consists of multiple choice questions covering topics such as financial management, quality assurance, personnel management, and legal/regulatory issues related to radiology.

The process for obtaining the CRM credential typically takes between six months and one year. After completing all prerequisites and passing the exam, applicants will receive their official CRM certificate from the ACR.

The cost to obtain a CRM credential varies depending on whether you are an ACR member or non-member. For members, it costs $395; for non-members, it costs $495.

2. American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Certified Radiology Administrator (CRA)

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Certified Radiology Administrator (CRA) is a certification program for radiologic technologists who wish to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the management of radiology departments. The CRA credential is designed to recognize the expertise, experience, and commitment of individuals who have achieved a high level of professional accomplishment in the field.

To become an ARRT Certified Radiology Administrator, you must meet certain eligibility requirements. These include being an ARRT-certified radiologic technologist, having at least two years of full-time work experience as a radiologic technologist or supervisor in the field, and completing the ARRT's CRA Examination.

The CRA Examination consists of 100 multiple-choice questions that test your knowledge and understanding of radiology department operations, personnel management, financial management, quality assurance/quality control measures, safety protocols and regulations, and other related topics. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete.

The cost to take the CRA Examination is $200 for members of the ARRT and $250 for non-members. Additionally, there may be fees associated with submitting your application materials and taking the exam itself.

3. Health Care Financial Management Association (HFMA) Certified Revenue Cycle Executive (CRCE)

The Health Care Financial Management Association (HFMA) Certified Revenue Cycle Executive (CRCE) certification is a credential designed to recognize professionals who have achieved a high level of expertise in revenue cycle management. The CRCE certification is the only nationally-recognized revenue cycle certification program and it demonstrates that the holder has a comprehensive understanding of the revenue cycle and its impact on patient care.

To become certified, individuals must meet certain criteria including having at least three years of experience in healthcare finance, having an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university, and passing a comprehensive examination. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as financial operations, reimbursement systems, coding systems, information technology, compliance regulations, and customer service.

The cost for the CRCE certification varies depending on whether you are an HFMA member or not. For non-members, it costs $525 to take the exam; for members it costs $425. It typically takes about 3 hours to complete the exam.

Once you pass the exam, you will be awarded with your CRCE certificate which is valid for five years. To maintain your certification status after five years you must complete 40 continuing education units (CEUs).

4. Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS)

The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS) is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the field of healthcare information management. The CPHIMS certification is designed to recognize those who have achieved a high level of knowledge, skill, and experience in the area of healthcare information systems.

It typically takes between three to six months to complete the CPHIMS certification process. To become certified, candidates must first pass an exam administered by HIMSS. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as healthcare information technology, project management, data security and privacy, health informatics, and system analysis. After passing the exam, applicants must then complete a portfolio review which includes submitting evidence of their professional experience in the field of healthcare information management.

The cost for taking the CPHIMS exam varies depending on where you take it. In general, it costs around $400 USD for members of HIMSS and $500 USD for non-members. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with completing the portfolio review process.

5. American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)

The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) credential is a professional certification that recognizes an individual’s expertise in managing health information and patient data. An RHIA is responsible for the accuracy, privacy, and security of patient health information. The RHIA credential demonstrates a mastery of the knowledge and skills required to manage and analyze medical records, as well as understand healthcare reimbursement systems, healthcare data standards, legal aspects of healthcare delivery, and other related topics.

To become an RHIA, individuals must have at least an associate degree in health information management from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Individuals must also pass the AHIMA-administered Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) examination.

The RHIA exam consists of 170 multiple-choice questions covering four domains: Data Structure, Content & Information Governance; Data Analytics & Quality; Leadership & Management; and Technology & Systems. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete and costs $399 USD for AHIMA members or $499 USD for non-members. Once an individual has passed the exam, they will receive their RHIA certification from AHIMA.

6. American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Certified Professional Coder-Radiology Manager (CPC-RM).

The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Certified Professional Coder-Radiology Manager (CPC-RM) certification is a specialized credential for medical coding professionals who specialize in radiology. The CPC-RM certification demonstrates the holder’s knowledge and expertise in coding for radiology services.

To be eligible to take the CPC-RM exam, applicants must have at least two years of professional experience in medical coding or a related field, and must have completed an AAPC approved training program. Applicants must also pass the AAPC's Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam prior to taking the CPC-RM exam.

The CPC-RM exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions covering topics such as anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, ICD-10-CM/PCS codes, HCPCS Level II codes, modifiers, and reimbursement methodology. The exam is administered online and takes approximately three hours to complete.

The cost of the CPC-RM exam is $399 USD for members of the AAPC and $499 USD for nonmembers. After passing the examination, applicants will receive their official certificate from the AAPC as well as a digital badge that can be shared on social media sites such as LinkedIn and Twitter.

7. National Alliance for Medical Imaging Management (NAMIM) Certified Medical Imaging Manager (CMIM).

The National Alliance for Medical Imaging Management (NAMIM) Certified Medical Imaging Manager (CMIM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of medical imaging managers. The certification is based on a comprehensive body of knowledge that includes topics such as operations management, financial management, human resources management, quality assurance/performance improvement, information technology, and regulatory compliance.

To become certified as a CMIM, applicants must have at least three years of experience in medical imaging management or related experience in healthcare administration. They must also pass an exam administered by NAMIM that covers the required topics. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete.

The cost for the CMIM certification varies depending on whether you are already a member of NAMIM or not. Non-members must pay an application fee of $200 plus the exam fee of $400. Members receive discounted rates: $100 application fee plus $200 exam fee.

Once you have passed the exam and paid all applicable fees, you will be awarded your CMIM certificate from NAMIM and can use the designation “CMIM” after your name to demonstrate your expertise in medical imaging management.

8. American Society for Quality, ASQ, Certified Six Sigma Black Belt in Healthcare

The American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certified Six Sigma Black Belt in Healthcare is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and expertise in the field of healthcare quality improvement. The certification is based on the principles of Six Sigma, which is a set of strategies and tools used to improve processes, reduce costs, and increase customer satisfaction.

To obtain the ASQ Certified Six Sigma Black Belt in Healthcare certification, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as process improvement, data analysis, project management, and team dynamics. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum score of 80 percent to pass. Additionally, applicants must have at least three years of experience in healthcare quality improvement or related fields.

The cost for the ASQ Certified Six Sigma Black Belt in Healthcare exam varies depending on the location where it is taken. In most cases, it costs around $500 USD. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the exam such as registration fees or proctoring fees.

In order to prepare for the ASQ Certified Six Sigma Black Belt in Healthcare exam, applicants should review materials provided by ASQ or other organizations that offer preparation courses or study materials. Additionally, applicants should consider attending a formal training course offered by an accredited institution such as a college or university.

Overall, obtaining the ASQ Certified Six Sigma Black Belt in Healthcare certification can take several months depending on how much time you are able to dedicate to studying and preparing for the exam.

9. Project Management Institute, PMI, Project Management Professional Certification

The Project Management Institute (PMI) is a global professional association for project management professionals. PMI offers the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, which is the most widely recognized and sought-after certification in the field of project management.

The PMP certification requires passing a four-hour multiple-choice exam that tests your knowledge and understanding of the five process groups and nine knowledge areas of project management. The exam consists of 200 questions, and you must score at least a 61% to pass. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must meet certain educational and experience requirements.

The experience requirement includes having worked on projects totaling 4500 hours over the past three years or 7500 hours over the past five years. The educational requirement includes having either a bachelor's degree or an associate degree plus 35 contact hours of project management education.

In order to prepare for the exam, PMI offers various training courses and materials such as books, study guides, practice exams, webinars, online classes, etc. It is recommended that you spend at least three months preparing for the exam before taking it.

The cost of taking the PMP certification exam varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of PMI. Members pay $405 while non-members pay $555. In addition to this fee, there may be additional costs associated with purchasing study materials and enrolling in training courses if desired.

10. International Association for Healthcare Quality, IAHQ, Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality

The International Association for Healthcare Quality (IAHQ) Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) is an internationally recognized certification that demonstrates a professional’s knowledge and skills related to healthcare quality. The CPHQ certification is designed to recognize healthcare professionals who have demonstrated expertise in the field of healthcare quality.

It takes approximately three months to complete the CPHQ certification process, which includes studying for the exam, registering for the exam, and taking the exam. To be eligible to take the CPHQ exam, applicants must meet certain educational requirements and have at least two years of experience working in a healthcare quality-related role.

To get certified as a CPHQ, applicants must first register with IAHQ and pay an application fee of $225 USD. After registering, applicants will need to complete an online study program or attend a review course offered by IAHQ or one of its approved providers. Once applicants have completed their studies, they can then register for and take the CPHQ exam. The cost of taking the exam is $395 USD.

Once applicants pass the exam, they will become officially certified as a CPHQ. Certification is valid for three years and requires recertification every three years through continuing education credits or retaking the examination.

11. American College of Medical Practice Executives, ACMPE, Fellow of the Medical Group Management Association

The American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE) is a professional organization for medical practice executives, administrators, and managers. ACMPE is part of the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), which provides educational resources and networking opportunities to its members. The ACMPE Fellow designation recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in medical practice management.

To become an ACMPE Fellow, you must first join MGMA and then complete the Fellowship application process. The application process includes submitting a completed application form, providing evidence of professional experience and education related to medical practice management, and paying the required fees. Once approved, applicants must pass an examination that covers topics such as healthcare finance, operations management, human resources management, legal/regulatory issues, and other relevant areas.

The cost of becoming an ACMPE Fellow varies depending on your membership status with MGMA. For non-members, it typically costs $1125 USD plus applicable taxes; for existing members it typically costs $825 USD plus applicable taxes. It usually takes between three to six months to complete the application process and take the exam.

Do You Really Need a Radiology Manager Certificate?

The answer to this question depends largely on your career goals. If you are looking to become a radiology manager, then a certificate in that field may be beneficial. It can help demonstrate your knowledge and experience in the area, as well as provide additional credentials for potential employers.

If you already have experience in the field, then a certificate may not be necessary. However, if you're looking to advance your career or make yourself more marketable, then it may be worth considering. With continuing education and specialized training, a radiology manager certificate can enhance your skillset and provide you with an edge over other candidates.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if obtaining a radiology manager certificate is right for you. Consider what your current qualifications are and what your long-term goals are before making a decision.

Related: Radiology Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Radiology Manager Certifications

1. What is a Radiology Manager Certification?

Answer: A Radiology Manager Certification is a professional certification awarded to individuals who demonstrate knowledge and experience in the field of radiology management. This certification recognizes individuals for their expertise in managing personnel, equipment, and other resources associated with radiologic services.

2. What are the prerequisites for obtaining a Radiology Manager Certification?

Answer: Prerequisites for obtaining a Radiology Manager Certification vary depending on the specific organization issuing the certification, but generally include a minimum of five years of experience in radiology management and successful completion of an approved educational program or examination.

3. How long does it take to complete a Radiology Manager Certification?

Answer: The time required to complete a Radiology Manager Certification varies depending on factors such as the individual’s prior experience and knowledge, as well as the specific requirements of the certification program. Generally speaking, it can take six months or longer to complete all requirements for certification.

4. Is there any continuing education requirement after I receive my Radiology Manager Certification?

Answer: Yes, many organizations that issue certifications require that certified individuals maintain their credentials by completing continuing education courses or workshops related to radiology management every two years.

5. Are there any online programs available for earning a Radiology Manager Certification?

Answer: Yes, some organizations offer online courses and examinations that can be used towards obtaining a Radiology Manager Certification. However, it is important to research each option carefully before committing to any particular program as some may not meet all requirements for certification from certain organizations.