Medical Radiation Technologist

The Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists

Medical Radiation Technology in Canada

Medical radiation technologists are an integral part of the health-care team who perform diagnostic imaging examinations and administer radiation therapy treatments. Medical radiation technology is regulated in six provinces in Canada: Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan. In the other provinces and territories, the profession is not regulated. In the provinces where it is regulated, you must be licensed or registered by that province in order to practise. In the others, the professional association and employers have specific requirements for practising. See the complete list of associations and regulatory authorities at the end of this page.

Most of Canada’s 12,000 MRTs work in hospitals or clinical settings. Medical radiation technologists often work independently within multidisciplinary health-care teams that include physicians, nurses, patients’ families, other medical radiation technologists and clinical oncology staff.

Before You Come to Canada

While you are waiting to go to Canada, there are many important things you can do to improve your chance for success.

The FCRO provides you with helpful resources such as the Planning to Work in Canada? workbook and the Working in Canada Tool. Use these resources to collect important information and to develop your job search plan.

If your medical radiation technology education was completed in a language other than English or French, there may be certain language requirements set out by the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT) or regulatory body to work as an MRT. Make sure you know these requirements. If you need to improve your language skills, start before you come to Canada.

Your official education, work and identity documents are important. It is much easier for you to gather your documents while still in your home country. Carefully review the requirements as posted on the CAMRT website with attention to the province in which you want to live and work.

If your documents are neither in French nor in English, verify the translation requirements set out by the provincial or territorial regulators or associations. In most cases, your translations will have to be certified by a notary. You may have to use a professional translation service in Canada.

Becoming a Medical Radiation Technologist in Canada 

The first step is to have your credentials assessed. All the provincial regulators and the CAMRT will allow you to start, or even complete, the assessment process of your foreign qualifications before you move to Canada. You must research the assessment requirements and understand all deadlines and fees. Consult the CAMRT website and applicable provincial websites for information about the very specific documents that are required. Missing documents will delay your assessment.

If you intend to work in Alberta, Ontario or Quebec, you must apply to the provincial regulatory body for those provinces to have your credentials assessed. The process for all other provinces requires you to have your credentials assessed by the CAMRT.

Credential Review

Your education will be reviewed to determine if it is comparable to a Canadian program. This will include an assessment of the content of your training and a verification of the authenticity of your documents, including your degree or diploma, transcripts and course syllabus describing both the objectives of the courses and the clinical components. If your documents are in a language other than English or French, you must also submit notarized translations.

There will be an evaluation of your work experience as a medical radiation technologist in the discipline for which the application for assessment is submitted.

Proof of your language proficiency in either English or French is required if your education program was not given in either of those languages. See the CAMRT website for more information, with attention to the requirements of the provinces of Alberta, Ontario and Quebec if you wish to live and work there.

The CAMRT has developed “readiness self-assessment tools.” These are excellent tools to help you determine if you are likely to meet the requirements to practise in a Canadian context, and to provide information on what the Canadian work environment is like.

You may be eligible for a bridging program. Bridging programs ease the transition from your international training and experience to the Canadian workplace. Do some research to learn which organizations have bridging programs.

National Certification Examinations

The CAMRT develops and administers national certification examinations for the four disciplines.
The examinations test against a predetermined standard that is reflective of the competency required to practise safely and effectively at the entry-to-practice level in the current Canadian health-care environment. Every year, the CAMRT offers three sittings of the certification examinations in each discipline: January, May and September. It is very important that you respect all deadlines and pay the applicable fees.

The CAMRT website has a number of resources to help you prepare for the CAMRT examination, including a list of recommended textbooks, the competency profile, the examination preparation guide and the examination blueprint. You are strongly advised to consult these resources prior to taking the examination. The pass rate on the examination for internationally educated MRTs is very low. Therefore, being well informed by using as many resources as possible will help improve your chances of passing the examination.

Note: The province of Quebec has its own examination. However, the CAMRT and the regulatory body for Quebec accept and recognize each other’s process and credentials.

Finding a Job in Canada

The demand for MRTs can vary depending on the discipline in which you work and the province or territory in which you may want to work. The CAMRT maintains a “job bank” for members only. The provincial organizations also have information about jobs. The CAMRT strongly recommends membership. Being a member is an investment in your career, offers many benefits, gives you a voice and allows you to participate in the process that determines the future of your profession.

The Government of Canada posts jobs for employers.

Provincial Associations 

Provincial Regulators  

Additional Resources