Chest, Extremities, Spine, Skull/Sinuses, and Podiatric Modules
Key Takeaways
- Every Limited Scope candidate takes Core plus the procedure modules assigned by the state licensing agency and shown on the Candidate Status Report.
- Procedure module scored counts are Chest 20, Extremities 25, Skull/Sinuses 20, Spine 25, and Podiatric 20, with five unscored pilot questions added to each module.
- Positioning is the highest-emphasis skill across procedure modules; anatomy and image evaluation follow closely, while procedure adaptation and equipment details are lower-emphasis.
- Podiatric is its own module and does not include equipment-and-accessory questions in the ARRT procedure focus areas.
- Study only the modules on your CSR first, then use extra modules only as reinforcement for shared positioning logic.
State-Assigned Procedure Modules
The ARRT Limited Scope exam is modular. Everyone takes the Core module, but the procedure modules are assigned by the state licensing agency for the license type you applied for. ARRT delivers and scores the exam for the state; it does not let you add or remove procedure modules at the test center. Your Candidate Status Report (CSR) is the source of truth for which modules you will see.
That matters because two candidates can both be preparing for Limited Scope and still have different exam loads. One state may assign Chest only. Another may assign Chest, Extremities, and Spine. A podiatric license may involve the Podiatric module rather than the general extremity mix. Build your final review from the CSR, not from a national guess.
Module Counts and Internal Weight
| Procedure module | Scored items | Added pilots | Main internal split to respect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chest | 20 | 5 | Routine chest dominates; other chest views are smaller but still testable |
| Extremities | 25 | 5 | Lower extremity and upper extremity are roughly equal; pectoral girdle is smaller |
| Skull/Sinuses | 20 | 5 | Skull and paranasal sinuses carry the bulk; facial bones/orbits/nasal bones are smaller |
| Spine | 25 | 5 | Cervical and lumbar are largest, thoracic is next, sacrum/coccyx/SI and scoliosis are smaller |
| Podiatric | 20 | 5 | Foot/toes dominate, ankle follows, calcaneus is small but high-yield because of special views |
The best way to study a module is to turn each projection into a short route sheet: patient position, projection or beam path, central ray location, image receptor placement, breathing instruction if relevant, anatomy that must appear, and the correction you would make if the image is rotated, clipped, underexposed, or blurred.
What Each Module Rewards
Chest rewards upright thinking. Routine chest work usually begins with upright PA/AP and lateral logic because lungs, diaphragm position, heart size, and air-fluid levels are better interpreted when gravity is doing its normal job. Know why decubitus and lordotic views are used rather than memorizing them as isolated names.
Extremities rewards joint coverage and true projection logic. Long bones need both adjacent joints when required by the protocol, and extremity trauma often means modifying the patient rather than forcing the injured part. For hands, wrists, forearms, elbows, humeri, knees, ankles, feet, and shoulder girdle work, the exam expects you to recognize how rotation opens or closes joint spaces.
Skull/Sinuses rewards head-line precision. Small changes in chin position, head rotation, or central-ray angle can move dense petrous anatomy into or out of the diagnostic region. Sinuses are especially tied to upright positioning because fluid levels need gravity and a horizontal beam to be visible.
Spine rewards safety and alignment. Cervical work requires restraint in trauma situations, lateral views require enough anatomy through the lower cervical spine, and lumbar work often depends on reducing lordosis or correcting waist sag. Think anatomy first, then geometry.
Podiatric rewards functional positioning. Weightbearing foot and ankle views are common because alignment changes under load. The module is narrower than Extremities, but the foot, toes, ankle, and calcaneus have projection names that can sound similar unless you connect each one to the structure it demonstrates.
Module Selection Checklist
- Read the CSR before making a study calendar.
- Allocate study time by the assigned module counts, not by personal comfort.
- Drill high-count areas first: Chest routine, Extremities upper/lower, Skull/Sinuses major groups, Cervical/Lumbar spine, and Podiatric foot/toes.
- Keep one mixed procedure session per week so shared errors, such as rotation and clipped anatomy, do not stay hidden.
A candidate's CSR lists Chest, Extremities, and Spine. Which final-review plan best matches the way Limited Scope procedure modules are assigned?