MRI Program Length - How Long Each California School Takes

12 months vs 18 months vs multi-year - how the certification pathway determines your timeline, and how programs differ.

The Two Pathways & Their Timelines

ARMRIT Pathway
12–18 Months

No prior radiology degree required. Complete an accredited MRI certificate program, then pass the ARMRIT exam. This is the fastest route to MRI certification for career changers.

  • Accessible without prior healthcare background
  • Fastest timeline from start to employed
  • Accepted by California employers and CDPH
ARRT Post-Primary Pathway
2–4+ Years

Requires an ARRT primary credential (usually a 2-year radiologic technology degree) first, then additional MRI specialty training (typically 6–12 months) and the ARRT MRI exam.

  • Highly recognized by major hospital systems
  • Primary credential opens multiple imaging modalities
  • Longer total timeline from scratch

California MRI Schools

Contact each school directly for current program length and schedule information.

Casa Loma College

📍 15301 Ventura Blvd, Suite D-100, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

📞 (800) 270-5052

www.casalomacollege.edu

California Career Institute

AAS in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (AASMRI)

📍 Anaheim Campus: 1240 S. State College Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92806

📍 Hawthorne Campus: South Bay / Los Angeles area

📞 (714) 539-5959

🌙 Evening classes available

🎓 AAS Degree program

www.calinstitute.edu View MRI Program →

CBD College

AAS in Magnetic Resonance Imaging

📍 3699 Wilshire Blvd, 4th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010

📞 (213) 427-2200

🎓 AAS Degree program

www.cbd.edu View MRI Program →

CNI College

📍 1610 E. Saint Andrew Place, Suite 200, Santa Ana, CA 92705

📞 (800) 455-4700

www.cnicollege.edu

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts

📍 1641 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95112 (Van Nuys campus also available)

📞 (877) 487-6425

www.gurnick.edu

National Polytechnic College

📍 4105 South St, Lakewood, CA 90712

📞 (888) 243-2493

www.npcollege.edu

Smith Chason College

📍 3580 Wilshire Blvd, 4th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010

📞 (310) 289-5123

www.smithchason.edu

What Affects Program Length

Clinical hours requirement: Both ARMRIT and ARRT require supervised clinical hours - 750–1,000+ hours. More required hours = longer program if clinicals are part-time.
Schedule intensity: Full-time programs are shorter. Part-time or evening/weekend programs spread the same content over more months.
Prerequisite completion: If you haven't completed prerequisite coursework, add time before the program starts. Some schools offer prerequisite courses on-site.
Waitlists: Community college programs are often cheaper but have waitlists - factor that into your actual timeline from today to employed.
How long does it take to become an MRI tech in California?

Via the ARMRIT pathway: typically 12–18 months of program + exam prep and application time. Via ARRT: 2–4 years total from scratch (primary credential + MRI specialty). Most career changers choose ARMRIT for the faster timeline. Full step-by-step guide →

Can I do MRI school faster than 12 months?

12 months is close to the minimum for an accredited ARMRIT program given clinical hour requirements. Accelerated programs may technically achieve 12 months, but be cautious of programs claiming significantly less - sufficient clinical hours are required for certification eligibility and job readiness.

Find Programs by Timeline

School Finder →

Related Comparisons

→ Cost Comparison → Compare Top CA Schools → ARMRIT Certification → ARRT Certification