Prove you can guide image-directed heart and vessel interventions at the tableside.
Cardiac-Interventional Radiography (CI) is a post-primary certification administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). It recognizes technologists who assist physicians with minimally invasive, image-guided procedures used to diagnose and treat diseases of the heart and blood vessels, such as angioplasty, stenting, ablation, and structural heart interventions, without open surgery.
CI is not an entry-level credential. Candidates follow the ARRT post-primary pathway, which requires an existing ARRT certification in an approved supporting discipline along with documented structured education, clinical experience procedures, and adherence to ARRT ethics requirements. The credential certifies that a technologist has the knowledge and cognitive skills underlying safe, competent practice in the cardiac cath lab and hybrid operating room.
The computer-based exam is built from the ARRT Cardiac-Interventional Radiography Content Specifications. It contains 145 scored multiple-choice questions plus 40 unscored pilot questions, organized across three major categories: Patient Care, Image Production, and Procedures, with Procedures carrying the greatest weight. Questions probe anatomy and pathophysiology, indications and contraindications, access methods, devices, and the recognition and treatment of complications.
Mapped to the ARRT content outline.
Patient communication, history and assessment, consent, positioning, access assessment, lab values, and physiologic monitoring before, during, and after procedures.
Types and properties of contrast agents, cardiac and interventional medications, indications and contraindications, and documentation of dose and parameters.
Sterile technique and medical asepsis, handling and disposal of hazardous materials, and recognition and treatment of contrast reactions and cardiac emergencies.
Fluoroscopy and digital acquisition, roadmapping and subtraction, pressure injectors, and procedural imaging tools such as IVUS, OCT, and ICE.
Dose-reduction techniques for patients, ALARA and occupational protection for personnel, and quality control of shielding and dose calibration.
Cardiac diagnostic angiography and hemodynamics, peripheral angiography, hemodynamic calculations, and electrophysiology including ablation, cardioversion, and device implants.
Percutaneous interventions such as angioplasty, atherectomy, stenting, and thrombectomy, plus structural heart procedures including TAVR, valvuloplasty, and septal defect closure.
Registered radiologic technologists already certified in an approved ARRT supporting discipline who work in the cardiac catheterization lab, electrophysiology lab, or hybrid operating room and want to formally credential their specialty in cardiac and vascular interventional imaging.
CI follows the ARRT post-primary pathway and requires an existing ARRT credential in an approved supporting discipline plus structured education, clinical experience, and ethics requirements. Requirements change over time; always confirm current eligibility details directly at arrt.org.
Create a free profile now — you'll be ready to jump in the moment Cardiac-Interventional Radiography prep launches, and you can start with radiography or CIIP today.
Official exam details and eligibility: arrt.org