TO ANYONE WHO'S A RAD TECH OR KNOWS? I heard that to be a Radiological Technican u don't necessarily?

You still have to attend an accredited program for your state and pass a state board exam, this is not an on the job training type thing. Many hospitals will offer to pay your tuition but the catch is that you will have to work for them for a certain amount of years, this varies according to the hospital, if you quit working for them before you have worked off your tutition you will have to pay it back at a pro-rated rate.

I attended a hospital based, accredited radiologic technology program. I did my prerequisite courses at my local community college, and transfered to a different area in the state to attend RT school. So, I have no college degree. I make more money than a co-worker, who has a BS from a major California university, because I have more experience and hold more licenses. In fact, most of those who are hiring RTs or sonographers prefer hospital based graduates, as they tend to be better trained. There are many schools in many states where you can get trained to be a radiologic technologist (the proper term for a x-ray tech). Before you can attend a RT program, you will need to attend and complete certain college level prerequisite courses. I spent 1.5 years at my local community college, then went to a RT program. You can attend a hospital based program (and earn a certificate), a 2 year college program (AS degree), and even a 4 year college program (BS degree). The hospital based programs are the least expensive, and honestly, I think the education received there is superior. Once you graduate and take your registry exam, no future employer is going to care what type of educational program you went through. All they care about is your license. Make sure the RT program you attend is accredited, or you will find yourself as a limited permit tech. They have trouble finding a job, as most employers want a fully licensed RT, and they will make less money than a RT. You can find an accredited RT program at this site. Just search "radiography" and your state...links are provided which will give you additional information on each program (cost, duration of program, contact person): http://www.jrcert.org/cert/Search.jsp When thinking about entering an ultrasound program, you need not be concerned so much about certificate vs. degree. What is important is that you go to an ACCREDITED program, whether it is college or hospital based. An accredited program allows you to take your registry (licensing) exams upon graduation. Once you get licensed, you will never be asked about your schooling again. An employer does not care what route you take to get licensed, they just want you to have that license. Don't waste your time or money on a NON-accredited program. Upon completion and graduation from a NON-accredited program, you must work in the field of sonography for a full year prior to taking your licensing examinations. But, you will have a hard time finding an employer to hire you, unless you are licensed. You can find a list of accredited schools in your area, by searching "diagnostic medical sonography" and your state at the following site. There are links provided for each program, which will give you additional information (including course duration and prerequisite courses): http://www.caahep.org/Find_An_Accredited_Program.aspx The pay for ultrasound technologists will vary, depending on experience and geographical location. The American Society of Radiologic Technologists just did a large salary survey, in 2007. You can see how much a RT and/or ultrasound technologist averaged, per year, in your state here: https://www.asrt.org/media/pdf/research/wss2007/wss07annualcompensation.pdf You can divide the average yearly salary by 2080 (40 hours per week X 52 weeks) for an average hourly salary.