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Inside an X-ray tube, where are the high-speed electrons produced that will strike the target?

The anode tungsten target

The heated cathode filament

The collimator aperture

The glass envelope

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: VTS (Diagnostic Imaging) Exam

100

Multiple-Choice Questions

AVTDI

~$300

2026 Exam Fee

AVTDI

3 years

Minimum Imaging Practice

AVTDI

40+ hrs

Minimum Imaging CE

AVTDI

40+

Required Case Logs

AVTDI

Required Case Reports

AVTDI

The VTS (Diagnostic Imaging) is a written specialty examination administered by AVTDI covering radiation physics and safety, radiographic positioning, digital imaging and PACS, ultrasonography, CT, MRI, contrast studies, and image interpretation. Candidates must be credentialed vet techs (CVT/LVT/RVT) with 3+ years of active imaging practice, 40+ case logs, 4 case reports, a completed skills list, and 40+ hours of imaging CE. The exam fee is approximately $300.

Sample VTS (Diagnostic Imaging) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your VTS (Diagnostic Imaging) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Inside an X-ray tube, where are the high-speed electrons produced that will strike the target?

A.The anode tungsten target

B.The heated cathode filament

C.The collimator aperture

D.The glass envelope

Explanation: X-rays are produced by thermionic emission at the cathode filament — a heated tungsten wire boils off electrons that are then accelerated across the tube by the kVp toward the tungsten anode target where they produce bremsstrahlung and characteristic radiation.

2Which exposure factor is the primary controller of X-ray beam penetration (energy/quality)?

A.mA

B.mAs

C.kVp

D.Focal spot size

Explanation: Kilovoltage peak (kVp) controls the peak energy of the X-ray beam and thus its penetrating power. Higher kVp means more Compton interactions, less subject contrast, and better penetration of thick tissues.

3Which interaction is the predominant basis of subject contrast at low kVp settings and is responsible for bone appearing white on a radiograph?

A.Compton scatter

B.Photoelectric effect

C.Coherent (classical) scatter

D.Pair production

Explanation: The photoelectric effect dominates at low kVp and with high atomic number tissues like bone. Photons are completely absorbed, producing strong tissue differentiation (high subject contrast). This is why bone radiographs use lower kVp.

4The ALARA principle stands for what concept central to radiation safety?

A.Always Limit All Radiation Access

B.As Low As Reasonably Achievable

C.Absolute Lowest Acceptable Radiation Allowance

D.Assess Location And Risk Assessment

Explanation: ALARA — As Low As Reasonably Achievable — is the foundational radiation protection principle: keep occupational and patient dose as low as reasonably achievable using time, distance, and shielding.

5What is the minimum lead equivalent thickness for lead aprons used in veterinary radiography?

A.0.1 mm Pb equivalent

B.0.25 mm Pb equivalent

C.0.5 mm Pb equivalent

D.1.0 mm Pb equivalent

Explanation: NCRP and state regulations require lead aprons to provide a minimum of 0.5 mm lead equivalent protection. Thyroid collars and lead gloves also typically meet this standard to attenuate scatter radiation.

6Where should a personal dosimetry badge (TLD or OSL) be worn to measure occupational whole-body dose when a lead apron is used?

A.Under the apron at the waist

B.On the collar outside the lead apron

C.In the scrub pocket

D.On the wrist of the dominant hand

Explanation: When wearing a lead apron, the primary dosimeter is worn at the collar outside the apron to measure the dose to the unshielded head, neck, and eyes. A second badge under the apron at the waist is sometimes added for pregnant workers to estimate fetal dose.

7At approximately what patient thickness is a grid recommended to reduce scatter radiation to the film or detector?

A.Greater than 2 cm

B.Greater than 5 cm

C.Greater than 10 cm

D.Only for thicknesses over 25 cm

Explanation: A grid is conventionally used for body parts greater than 10 cm thick (e.g., adult dog thorax, abdomen, spine). Below 10 cm, scatter is minimal and a grid increases patient dose unnecessarily.

8Which cardiac assessment parameter is used on a right lateral thoracic radiograph and is normally 8.7 to 10.7 vertebrae in the dog?

A.Buchanan's vertebral heart score (VHS)

B.Left atrial to aortic ratio (LA/Ao)

C.Fractional shortening (FS)

D.Breed-specific cardiac size index

Explanation: The vertebral heart score (VHS or Buchanan method) is measured on a right lateral radiograph by summing the long axis and short axis of the cardiac silhouette in vertebral body lengths starting at T4. Normal canine VHS is 8.7-10.7; cats are 6.9-8.1.

9Which of the following are the five basic radiographic opacities from LEAST to MOST opaque?

A.Bone, soft tissue, fat, gas, metal

B.Gas, fat, soft tissue/fluid, mineral/bone, metal

C.Metal, bone, fluid, gas, fat

D.Fat, gas, soft tissue, metal, bone

Explanation: The five radiographic opacities from least (most radiolucent) to most opaque are: gas (black), fat (dark gray), soft tissue/fluid (gray), mineral/bone (light gray/white), and metal (bright white).

10Which projection is PREFERRED for evaluating the cardiac silhouette in small animal thoracic radiography?

A.Ventrodorsal (VD)

B.Dorsoventral (DV)

C.Right lateral oblique

D.Left decubitus

Explanation: A DV projection is preferred for cardiac evaluation because in sternal recumbency the heart sits in a more consistent mediastinal position with less rotation, providing more reproducible cardiac silhouette assessment. VD is preferred for pulmonary parenchyma and dorsal lung fields.

About the VTS (Diagnostic Imaging) Exam

Advanced specialty credentialing exam for credentialed veterinary technicians pursuing Veterinary Technician Specialist status in Diagnostic Imaging. Administered by the Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Diagnostic Imaging (AVTDI), provisionally recognized by NAVTA's Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

Set annually by Examination Committee

Exam Fee

~$300 exam + application fee (AVTDI / NAVTA CVTS)

VTS (Diagnostic Imaging) Exam Content Outline

20%

Radiographic Positioning (Small Animal)

Thorax, abdomen, skull, spine, appendicular skeleton, OFA/PennHIP hip evaluation

15%

Radiation Physics and Safety

X-ray tube, kVp/mA, heel effect, Compton vs photoelectric, ALARA, PPE, TLD dosimetry

15%

Radiographic Interpretation

Five opacities, silhouette sign, VHS, pulmonary patterns, bone lesions, serosal detail

12%

Ultrasonography

Transducer frequency, abdominal sonography, FAST scans, echocardiography, guided FNA

Digital Radiography / PACS

CR vs DR, flat panel detectors, DICOM, technique charts, artifacts

Contrast Radiography

Barium vs iohexol, upper GI, IVP/excretory urography, cystography, myelography

Computed Tomography (CT)

Hounsfield units, contrast protocols, multidetector CT, GA requirements

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

T1/T2/FLAIR, gadolinium, ferromagnetic safety screening, brain/spine imaging

Equine and Advanced Modalities

Equine limb views (DMPLO/DLPMO), fluoroscopy, nuclear scintigraphy, interventional

Quality Control and Artifacts

Phantom QC, grid cutoff, motion, ring artifacts (CT), flow voids (MR), dose audits

How to Pass the VTS (Diagnostic Imaging) Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Set annually by Examination Committee
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: 3 hours
Exam fee: ~$300 exam + application fee

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

VTS (Diagnostic Imaging) Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize the 5 radiographic opacities (gas, fat, soft tissue/fluid, mineral/bone, metal) and how the silhouette sign works

2Learn VHS cutoffs: normal dog 8.7-10.7 vertebrae, normal cat 6.9-8.1 vertebrae — both asked frequently

3Know kVp vs mAs: kVp controls penetration/scatter (photoelectric vs Compton), mAs controls quantity/density

4Master MRI safety screening — wire cerclage is a relative risk, pacemakers are absolute contraindication, microchips usually OK

5Use Thrall's Textbook of Veterinary Diagnostic Radiology and Penninck/d'Anjou's Atlas of Small Animal Ultrasonography as primary references

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the VTS (Diagnostic Imaging) exam?

The VTS (Diagnostic Imaging) certifying examination is a written specialty exam administered by the Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Diagnostic Imaging (AVTDI). It is the final step in earning the Veterinary Technician Specialist credential in diagnostic imaging, granted under NAVTA's Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties (CVTS). AVTDI is currently provisionally recognized by NAVTA.

How much does the VTS (Diagnostic Imaging) exam cost in 2026?

The AVTDI exam fee is approximately $300, set annually by the Board of Directors. A separate non-refundable application fee applies when submitting application materials. Candidates should also budget for continuing education hours, case documentation support, and study materials.

Who is eligible to sit for the VTS (Diagnostic Imaging) exam?

Candidates must be (1) legally credentialed as a veterinary technician (RVT, LVT, CVT, or equivalent), (2) have at least 3 years of active diagnostic imaging practice prior to application, (3) complete 40+ hours of diagnostic imaging continuing education, (4) submit 40+ case logs covering diverse imaging modalities and 4 case reports, (5) complete the AVTDI Skills List, and (6) submit letters of recommendation.

What content areas does the VTS (Diagnostic Imaging) exam cover?

The exam covers radiation physics (X-ray production, kVp/mA, photoelectric vs Compton), radiation safety (ALARA, PPE, dosimetry), radiographic positioning of all body systems in small animals, digital radiography/PACS/DICOM, contrast studies (GI, urinary, myelography), ultrasonography (physics, abdominal, FAST, echo), CT (Hounsfield units, contrast), MRI (T1/T2/FLAIR, ferromagnetic safety), equine radiography, and interpretation of common diseases.

What is the passing score for the VTS (Diagnostic Imaging) exam?

The passing score is set each year by the AVTDI Examination Committee based on the difficulty of that year's exam. The minimum passing score is not published as a fixed percentage. Candidates are notified of their pass/fail result typically within 60 days, with written deficiency feedback available on request for those who do not pass.

How should I study for the VTS (Diagnostic Imaging) exam?

Focus on the AVTDI blueprint domains. Core references include Han and Hurd's Practical Diagnostic Imaging for the Veterinary Technician, Ayers' Small Animal Radiographic Techniques and Positioning, Thrall's Textbook of Veterinary Diagnostic Radiology, and Penninck's Atlas of Small Animal Ultrasonography. Review RadLex/DICOM conventions and radiation safety regulations (NCRP, NRC limits). Expect 6-12 months of dedicated preparation after meeting the experience requirement.

Can I become a VTS (Diagnostic Imaging) without attending a formal imaging school?

Yes. AVTDI is a certifying body, not a school. VTS (Diagnostic Imaging) status is earned through credentialing as a vet tech, documented work experience, case logs, case reports, continuing education, and passing the exam. You must already be a credentialed veterinary technician before you can begin accumulating VTS imaging experience hours.