How To Become A Radiologist｜Step-by-Step Guide

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‍Interested in CT scans & X-rays? Discover how to become a radiologist, what they do, and how many years it takes to become one with our 2024 guide. 

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Radiologists are medical professionals who use medical imaging to help diagnose and treat injuries and illnesses. A career as a radiologist can be rewarding, but how can you decide if radiology is right for you?

We’ll cover factors that can help you decide whether or not to specialize in radiology. Our guide outlines what you need to know to pursue a radiology career, the length of radiology programs, daily life as a radiologist, and more. Let’s get started!

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What is a Radiologist?

A radiologist is a medical doctor who interprets medical images (radiology). Doctors rely on radiologists to accurately determine what your medical imaging exam means. Radiologists diagnose or treat illness/disease through various methods, such as: 

• X-rays 
• CT, MRI, and PET scans 
• Ultrasounds 
• Nuclear medicine 
• Using image-guided techniques to make incisions and guide instruments toward the source of a medical problem 
• Using radiation therapy to treat cancer 

Medical imaging is vital but only one part of the diagnostic process. After receiving a radiologist’s results, doctors apply patient history, other test results, and background information to make a final diagnosis. 

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What Does a Radiologist Do?

Radiologists are in charge of interpreting medical images for diagnoses and treatment. Using their advanced imaging technologies, radiologists provide essential insights that guide the medical team in making accurate diagnoses and developing effective treatment plans. 

These imaging techniques allow radiologists to see inside the body non-invasively, helping to detect abnormalities, monitor the progress of diseases, and assess the effectiveness of treatments.

In addition to diagnostic imaging, some radiologists specialize in interventional radiology. These professionals perform minimally invasive procedures using imaging guidance to treat conditions such as blocked blood vessels, tumors, and spinal fractures. 

This field combines the precision of imaging with the skills of surgery, enabling targeted treatments with less risk and recovery time compared to traditional surgery. 

Radiologists have a deep understanding of human anatomy, pathology, and the various medical imaging techniques they use. Their education and training are extensive, beginning with a medical degree followed by a residency in radiology, which typically lasts four years. 

Many radiologists also pursue additional fellowship training in sub-specialties such as neuroradiology, pediatric radiology, or interventional radiology to gain expertise in specific areas.

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How Hard Is It to Become a Radiologist?

As with any medical specialty, the road to becoming a radiologist requires years of hard work and dedication. Radiology residency programs are particularly challenging: they require a lot of reading outside regular work hours.

Radiology residencies can be rather competitive to get into. However, finding work as a radiologist once you’ve completed your residency should be quite easy. The U.S. faces a shortage of radiologists, and many positions have recently opened up. 

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The Process: Becoming a Radiologist

To understand the process better, let’s go over a step-by-step guide of requirements radiologists must meet. 

Step 1: Complete an Applicable Bachelor’s Degree

You must have completed a bachelor’s degree before you can apply to most medical schools. During your undergraduate career, you’ll have to complete prerequisite courses for medical school, such as:

• Biology
• Physics
• Chemistry
• English
• Any other courses required by your target schools

The most common majors for students who aspire to get into medical school are: 

• Biology
• Physics
• Social sciences
• Humanities
• Specialized health sciences
• Math and statistics

Your major doesn’t necessarily give you an advantage, but science/math majors can provide helpful information to carry into your medical degree. Completing your prerequisite courses is the most important factor at this stage. To improve your chances of admission to a top medical school, Inspira Advantage offers expert med school application consulting services, helping applicants successfully navigate the path to leading programs in the US.

Step 2: Take the MCAT

Taking the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is essential to your medical school application. Even if your target schools don’t require MCAT scores to apply, it’s still highly recommended that you take the exam. A good MCAT score will make you eligible for a wide range of medical schools and give you a competitive edge.

Step 3: Complete Medical School

Once you’ve been accepted to medical school, you can begin focusing on medicine. During your degree, you’ll learn the fundamental knowledge you’ll need to become a doctor. 

During your four-year medical degree, you’ll choose to specialize in radiology. The first three years of medical school are essentially the same for most students. The fourth year is when you can take specific electives that pertain to radiology. 

Step 4: Pass the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam

The United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) is a “three-step examination for medical licensure in the U.S.” The USMLE is an essential step if you wish to practice medicine in the U.S., regardless of where you attend medical school. 

You can take Steps 1 and 2 CK of the USMLE while attending medical school, while Step 3 must be completed post-graduation. Most students take the Step 1 test at the end of their second year of medical school, Step 2 in their fourth year, and Step 3 after their first or second year of residency. 

Step 5: Complete a Radiology Residency Program

Radiology residency lengths can vary, but it’s typically a four to five-year program in which resident doctors practice under the wing of a senior radiologist. At this stage, you’ll have hands-on experience in the field of radiology. You’ll work on real cases, attend lectures, and complete reading materials.

Most students report residency as the most challenging step in becoming a radiologist. Radiology residents work long hours, see many patient cases daily, and have a high volume of reading materials to complete after clinical hours. 

Burnout is common among radiology residents, so ensure you make enough time to sleep, eat proper meals, do physical activity, and stay hydrated throughout the day.

Step 6: Optional Fellowship for Sub-specialization

For those who wish to further specialize, fellowship programs provide advanced training in specific areas of radiology. Sub-specializations include

• interventional radiology (minimally invasive procedures guided by imaging)
• neuroradiology (imaging of the brain, spine, and nervous system)
• pediatric radiology (imaging for infants, children, and adolescents)
• musculoskeletal radiology (imaging of bones, joints, and muscles)
• breast imaging (mammography and related breast imaging techniques)

Step 7: Obtain Board Certification

Radiologists must pass a series of exams to become board-certified. These exams assess both knowledge and practical skills in radiology. Initial certification typically involves passing both written and oral exams.

Board-certified radiologists must participate in periodic assessments to maintain their certification. Additionally, there might be some new requirements, such as updated licenses and exams, reflecting advancements in medical practices and technology. 

Board certification is an important credential that demonstrates a radiologist's commitment to maintaining high standards in the field.

Step 8: Pursue Continuing Medical Education (CME)

Throughout their career, radiologists must educate themselves to stay updated with advancements in imaging technology, diagnostic techniques, and patient care practices. 

This involves attending conferences, participating in workshops, and completing CME courses. Continuous education ensures that radiologists remain proficient in the latest developments and innovations, ultimately improving patient care.

Each stage builds on the previous one, ensuring a thorough and comprehensive education and training process that prepares radiologists to provide exceptional care to their patients. This journey requires a commitment to lifelong learning and professional development to stay at the forefront of medical imaging advancements.

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How to Tell Whether Radiology Is Right for You

If you’re having trouble deciding whether radiology is right for you, we’ve got you covered. We’ll review factors that can help you decide if you should pursue a career in radiology.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Radiologist?

Radiology isn’t the shortest residency program you could take. While other residencies can take three to four years, radiology often takes five years to complete. How long it takes to become a radiologist depends on whether you subspecialize. 

It takes 13 years to become a radiologist without a sub-specialization. If you decide to take a fellowship and sub-specialize, your training may take up to 15 years.

Salary

Regarding salary and benefits, radiology is among the most well-paid medical specialties. On average, radiologists in the U.S. make approximately $330,000 annually.

Employment Total	Mean Hourly Wage	Mean Annual Wage
29,250	$158.21	$329,080

How much a radiologist makes varies based on education, certifications, geography, and work experience. Radiologists who complete a fellowship typically make more.

Competitiveness

Radiology residencies are relatively competitive, as are all the other steps you’ll take to become a radiologist. With each application and test, you need to continuously push yourself to be the best you can be.

Once you’ve finished your training and proven that you’re ready to take on the field, finding a position as a radiologist should be relatively easy as the U.S. is facing a shortage of medical specialists.

Other Considerations

The path to becoming a radiologist is lengthy and challenging. You should only take on this challenge if you have a true passion and interest in the field. Having a personal connection to radiology keeps you motivated during the more labor-intensive parts of your training. 

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Detailed Radiologist Job Description

There are five main career paths for radiologists that can branch into further specialized work and positions.

Career Path	Job Description	Daily Activities
Diagnostic Radiology	Diagnostic radiologists use imaging techniques to diagnose diseases and conditions. They interpret images from X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds to identify abnormalities and assist in creating treatment plans.	Interpreting and analyzing medical imagesConsulting with referring physicians to discuss findingsPreparing detailed reports of imaging resultsParticipating in patient case discussionsEnsuring image quality and accuracy
Interventional Radiology/Diagnostic Radiology	Interventional radiologists perform minimally invasive procedures using imaging guidance. They treat conditions such as vascular diseases, cancers, and spinal disorders, often avoiding the need for open surgery.	Performing image-guided procedures such as angiography, stent placements, and biopsiesConsulting with patients and referring physicians before and after proceduresManaging patient care and follow-upsMaintaining accurate procedure documentation
Radiation Oncology	Radiation oncologists specialize in treating cancer using radiation therapy. They develop and oversee treatment plans that use radiation to target and destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.	Developing and implementing radiation treatment plansConsulting with patients and explaining treatment options and side effectsMonitoring patient progress and adjusting treatment as necessaryCollaborating with oncologists and other healthcare professionals
Subspecialty Descriptions	Radiologists may further specialize in areas such as neuroradiology, pediatric radiology, musculoskeletal radiology, or breast imaging. Each subspecialty focuses on specific body parts or patient groups.	Interpreting specialized imaging studies related to their subspecialtyPerforming image-guided procedures relevant to their fieldCollaborating with specialists in related fieldsParticipating in subspecialty-specific research and educational activities
Medical Physics	Medical physicists work alongside radiologists to ensure the safe and effective use of radiation in medical imaging and treatment. They develop and maintain imaging equipment, ensure radiation safety, and optimize treatment protocols.	Calibrating and maintaining imaging and radiation therapy equipmentEnsuring compliance with radiation safety regulationsDeveloping and optimizing imaging and treatment protocolsConducting research on improving imaging techniques and treatment outcomes

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FAQs: How to Become a Radiologist

Here, we’ll go over some frequently asked questions about how to become a radiologist. 

1. How Long is a Radiology Residency?

Radiology residencies typically take five years to complete.

2. What Does a Radiologist Do?

A radiologist interprets medical images taken by radiologic technicians to provide doctors with a diagnosis. The radiologist’s diagnosis is only one part of the complete diagnostic process, as they don’t have access to the patient's other test results or medical history. 

3. How Many Years of School Do You Need to Be a Radiologist?

In total, it takes 13-15 years to become a radiologist, depending on whether you decide to sub-specialize through a fellowship program after residency. 

4. Are Radiology Residencies Competitive?

Radiology residencies can be quite competitive, especially for first-choice applicants. Of the 989 diagnostic radiology applicants in 2021, 118 were matched into PGY-1 positions, according to the NRMP Residency Data Report.

5. How Much Do Radiologists Make?

Radiologists make between $393,790 and $523,890 annually, depending on their years of experience, specialty training, geography, and certifications. The national average annual salary for radiologists is around $300,000.

6. Is Becoming a Radiologist Worth It? 

Becoming a radiologist is worth it if you’re passionate about radiology. Although it takes 13 to 15 years to become a radiologist, you can enjoy a lucrative career that helps you improve the quality of life of your patients.

7. What Qualifications Do You Need for Radiology? 

Radiologists must obtain a bachelor’s degree, attend medical school, pass all three steps of the USMLE, and complete a radiology residency. You can also complete a fellowship for additional training, but it’s optional. 

8. Do You Have to Go to Med School to Become a Radiologist? 

Yes, you must attend medical school before completing a radiology residency. 

Final Thoughts 

Now that you know how to be a radiologist, you understand that this competitive specialty takes many years to complete. Deciding whether or not going to school for radiology is right for you is a tough decision that ultimately boils down to your passion. 

If you are strongly motivated to go into radiology, it will help you stay motivated and stand out from the crowd. Good luck!

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Dr. Jonathan Preminger was the original author of this article. Snippets of his work may remain.

Reviewed by:

Dr. Akhil Katakam

Orthopaedic Surgery Resident Physician, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

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