Current Limited Scope Exam Facts
Key Takeaways
- ARRT administers the Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography exam for state licensing agencies; it is not an ARRT certification and registration pathway.
- Every candidate takes the Core module, and the state assigns one or more procedure modules such as Chest, Extremities, Skull/Sinuses, Spine, or Podiatric.
- The Core module has 100 scored questions plus 15 unscored pilot questions and a 1 hour 55 minute testing time.
- The Limited Scope examination fee is $150, separate from any state application or licensing fee.
- Passing is state-determined; candidates should verify whether their state reports a scaled-score threshold such as 75 or another module-specific standard.
What This Exam Is Testing
The ARRT Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography exam is built for candidates seeking a state license or permit to perform selected radiographic procedures. ARRT develops, administers, and scores the exam for state licensing agencies, but passing it does not create ARRT certification and registration. Your state decides whether you are eligible, which modules you must take, and what result is required for licensure.
That distinction matters on exam day and during application. You normally apply first through the state licensing agency, submit state-required education or training documentation, and pay any state fees. After the state approves eligibility, you use the ARRT state-candidate process to pay the ARRT exam fee and schedule through Pearson VUE. Your Candidate Status Report (CSR) is the key document: it lists your identifying information, testing window, and the Limited Scope modules assigned by the state.
Current Exam Structure
| Component | Scored Questions | Pilot Questions | Time | Who Takes It? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core | 100 | 15 | 1 hr 55 min | Every Limited Scope candidate |
| Chest | 20 | 5 | 25 min | If assigned by state |
| Extremities | 25 | 5 | 30 min | If assigned by state |
| Skull/Sinuses | 20 | 5 | 25 min | If assigned by state |
| Spine | 25 | 5 | 30 min | If assigned by state |
| Podiatric | 20 | 5 | 25 min | Podiatric license path, if assigned |
The Core module is divided into three tested domains: Patient Care, Safety, and Image Production. Patient Care accounts for 18 scored Core items, Safety for 40, and Image Production for 42. You cannot assume that another student's module set is your module set. A candidate applying for a chest-only permit and a candidate applying for a broader limited radiography permit may have different procedure modules even though both take the same Core.
Fees, Scores, and Scheduling Facts
The ARRT examination fee schedule lists Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography at $150. That is the ARRT exam fee, not necessarily the total cost of licensure. Many states charge separate application or license fees, and state fees can change independently.
Unscored pilot questions are mixed into the exam and are not identified. Treat every item as if it counts and pace yourself at roughly one minute per question. For scoring, do not rely on a national rumor. ARRT forwards results to the state entity, and the state determines whether you passed. Many state-facing resources describe the passing standard as a scaled score such as 75, but the safest rule is to confirm the current cut score and module requirements directly with your licensing agency.
Exam-Day Planning Checklist
- Match your legal name to your CSR and test-center identification.
- Verify every module on your CSR before scheduling.
- Study all Core domains, even if your procedure modules feel more urgent.
- Budget for the ARRT fee plus state fees.
- Avoid any exam-dump material or recalled questions; use the published content specifications instead.
Your Candidate Status Report lists Core, Chest, and Spine. Which study plan best matches the official Limited Scope structure?