What is the Certified Radiology Administrator (CRA) exam?

The CRA exam is a professional certification administered by the Radiology Administration Certification Commission (RACC) through the AHRA. It validates the knowledge and competency of radiology managers across operations, finance, human resources, asset management, and communication. Earning the credential demonstrates mastery of imaging department leadership responsibilities.

What is the format of the CRA exam?

The CRA exam is a computer-based, multiple-choice test delivered at PSI testing centers across the United States. Candidates have 4 hours to complete the exam, which uses a single-best-answer format. Scores are typically provided immediately after completion, with an official report sent by the RACC within two weeks.

What is the passing score for the CRA exam?

The CRA exam uses a scaled scoring system where candidates must achieve a minimum scaled score of 75 out of 99 to pass. Raw scores are converted to scaled scores to account for slight variations in difficulty between exam forms. The passing standard is set using the modified Angoff method by subject matter experts.

What topics are covered on the CRA exam?

The exam covers five core domains: Asset Management (19%), Finance (23%), Human Resource Management (25%), Operations Management (23%), and Communication and Information Management (10%). Questions test application of management principles specific to medical imaging departments, including budgeting, staffing, equipment procurement, regulatory compliance, and interdepartmental coordination.

Who is eligible to take the CRA exam?

Candidates must meet education and experience requirements combining a degree with qualifying radiology management experience. Options include a bachelor's degree plus 3 years of management experience, an associate degree plus 5 years, or a high school diploma plus 7 years. Experience must involve supervisory duties within a medical imaging setting.

How do I register for the CRA exam?

Registration is completed through the AHRA website by submitting an online application with documentation of education, work experience, and the exam fee. Once approved, candidates receive an Authorization to Test email and schedule their exam at a PSI testing center. The eligibility window is typically 90 days from approval.

How long should I study for the CRA exam?

Most candidates dedicate 3 to 6 months of preparation, studying 8 to 12 hours per week. The AHRA recommends reviewing the CRA Exam Content Specifications, using the official study guide, and completing practice questions across all five domains. Working professionals often benefit from joining study groups or AHRA review courses.

What are the best prep tips for passing the CRA exam?

Focus heavily on Human Resources and Finance, which together account for 48% of the exam. Use the AHRA CRA Exam Study Guide, take timed practice tests to build pacing, and review healthcare accounting formulas, labor law basics, and capital equipment planning. Applying concepts to real workplace scenarios improves retention significantly.

CRA (Certified Radiology Administrator) Test Guide

CRA (Certified Radiology Administrator) Test Guide: The Certified Radiology Administrator exam is administered by the Radiology Administration…

CRA - Certified Radiology Administrator By Dr. Michael ReynoldsApr 24, 202658 min read

⏱️4 HoursTime Limit

📝185Questions

✅70%Pass Rate

💵$425Exam Fee

📊ScaledScoring

🖥️CBTFormat

🔄UnlimitedRetakes

🏢PSICenters

📍NationalBased

🩺RACCLicensure

💻On-siteComputer

🎓ExperienceDegree

The Certified Radiology Administrator exam is administered by the Radiology Administration Certification Commission (RACC). It covers five key domains: Operations Management, Asset Management, Fiscal Management, Human Resource Management, and Communication & Information Management.

Codifyformatter 1 4 Xh - Certified Radiology Administrator study guide

CRA Practice Test Questions

Prepare for the CRA - Certified Radiology Administrator exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.

CRA Clinical Assessment Methods

CRA Exam Questions covering Clinical Assessment Methods. Master CRA Test concepts for certification prep.

CRA Human Resources & Staff Development

Free CRA Practice Test featuring CRA Human Resources & Staff Development. Improve your CRA Exam score with mock test prep.

CRA Radiation Physics & Safety

CRA Mock Exam on CRA Radiation Physics & Safety. CRA Study Guide questions to pass on your first try.

CRA Diagnostic Procedures

CRA Test Prep for Diagnostic Procedures. Practice CRA Quiz questions and boost your score.

CRA Documentation Standards

CRA Questions and Answers on Documentation Standards. Free CRA practice for exam readiness.

CRA Medical Ethics and Law

CRA Mock Test covering Medical Ethics and Law. Online CRA Test practice with instant feedback.

CRA Patient Communication

Free CRA Quiz on Patient Communication. CRA Exam prep questions with detailed explanations.

CRA Patient Safety Protocols

CRA Practice Questions for Patient Safety Protocols. Build confidence for your CRA certification exam.

CRA Pharmacology Basics

CRA Test Online for Pharmacology Basics. Free practice with instant results and feedback.

CRA Treatment Planning

CRA Study Material on Treatment Planning. Prepare effectively with real exam-style questions.

CRA Financial Management & Budgeting

Free CRA Test covering Financial Management & Budgeting. Practice and track your CRA exam readiness.

CRA Healthcare Compliance & Regulations

CRA Exam Questions covering Healthcare Compliance & Regulations. Master CRA Test concepts for certification prep.

CRA Patient Care & Quality Assurance

Free CRA Practice Test featuring Patient Care & Quality Assurance. Improve your CRA Exam score with mock test prep.

CRA Radiology Operations & Management

CRA Mock Exam on Radiology Operations & Management. CRA Study Guide questions to pass on your first try.

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CRA Exam Flashcards

Quick review for the Certified Radiology Administrator exam

💼What is Fiscal Management?

Fiscal Management involves budgeting, financial analysis, and revenue cycle management to ensure the financial health of the radiology department.

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👥What is Human Resource Management?

Human Resource Management covers recruitment, retention, performance evaluation, and staff development within the imaging services team.

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⚙️What is Operations Management?

Operations Management focuses on workflow efficiency, policy implementation, and ensuring daily departmental functions run smoothly.

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🏥What is Asset Management?

Asset Management involves the acquisition, maintenance, and lifecycle planning of radiology equipment and physical facilities.

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📢What is Communication & Information?

This domain covers data management, informatics systems like PACS/RIS, and effective communication strategies with stakeholders.

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⚖️What is Regulatory Compliance?

Regulatory Compliance ensures adherence to laws, accreditation standards (TJC, ACR), and safety protocols for radiation protection.

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CRA EXAM QUESTIONS QUIZ

Certified Radiology Administrator Study Guide

Our comprehensive guide covers everything from the difference between a Certified Radiology Technician and an administrator to the specific exam domains. Explore the tabs below to understand the Certified Radiology requirements.

What is the CRA exam?	The CRA exam is a certification test for radiology administrators that validates skills in operations, finance, asset management, human resources, and communication.
Who takes the CRA exam?	Imaging leaders, managers, and directors take the CRA exam. It is also suitable for a Certified Radiology Technician or Certified Radiology Nurse advancing into management.
Is the CRA exam mandatory?	While not mandatory for all jobs, the CRA credential is highly preferred by employers and often required for senior director-level positions.
What organization offers CRA certification?	The Radiology Administration Certification Commission (RACC), associated with the Association for Medical Imaging Management (AHRA), offers the certification.

What is the CRA exam?

The CRA exam is a certification test for radiology administrators that validates skills in operations, finance, asset management, human resources, and communication.

Who takes the CRA exam?

Imaging leaders, managers, and directors take the CRA exam. It is also suitable for a Certified Radiology Technician or Certified Radiology Nurse advancing into management.

Is the CRA exam mandatory?

While not mandatory for all jobs, the CRA credential is highly preferred by employers and often required for senior director-level positions.

What organization offers CRA certification?

The Radiology Administration Certification Commission (RACC), associated with the Association for Medical Imaging Management (AHRA), offers the certification.

CRA Test Format and Domains

The Certified Radiology Administrator exam is structured around five primary domains. Understanding these areas is crucial for any Certified Radiology Nurse or technician aspiring to leadership roles.

👥Human Resource Management / Domain 1

Focuses on recruitment, retention, and staff development.

RecruitmentStaffingPerformanceTraining

Topics: Labor laws, employee relations, diversity.
Questions: Approx. 20-25% of exam

🏥Asset Management / Domain 2

Covers equipment acquisition and facility planning.

EquipmentDesignMaintenance

Topics: Purchasing, contracts, project management.
Questions: Approx. 15-20% of exam

💼Fiscal Management / Domain 3

Deals with budgeting and financial oversight.

BudgetingRevenueCodingAnalysis

Topics: Reimbursement, ROI, cost control.
Questions: Approx. 20-25% of exam

⚙️Operations Management / Domain 4

Ensures efficient departmental workflow and quality.

WorkflowQualitySafetyPolicy

Topics: QA/QC, accreditation, patient safety.
Questions: Approx. 20-25% of exam

📢Communication & Info / Domain 5

Manages data systems and stakeholder communication.

InformaticsMarketing

Topics: HIPAA, data security, customer service.
Questions: Approx. 10-15% of exam

⚖️Legal & Regulatory / Integrated

Embedded across all domains for compliance.

StateLaws

Topics: Standards, ethics, legal issues.
Questions: Integrated throughout

Many candidates are strong in clinical areas but weaker in finance. If you are a Certified Radiology Technician transitioning to admin, spend extra time on Fiscal Management and Asset Management domains.

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CRA Score Calculator

Total Scored Questions

150

How many questions did you answer correctly?

0105150

105 out of 150 correct

70%

Required to Pass: ~70% (Estimated)

Your Score: 105 correct✓PASS

Certified Radiology Administrator Salary

💰

$115,000

Median Annual Salary

🏥Radiology Manager

$95,000

~$7,900/mo3-5 Years

🏆Certified Radiology Admin

$115,000

~$9,580/mo5-7 Years

📈Radiology Director

$140,000+

~$11,600/mo7-10+ Years

💼VP of Imaging

$160,000+

~$13,300/mo10+ Years

How to Become a Certified Radiology Administrator

The journey to becoming a Certified Radiology Administrator involves education, experience, and passing the CRA exam. Here is the typical path for a Certified Radiology Technician or nurse advancing to this role.

🎓

Step 1

Education

A bachelor's degree is typically required, though experience points can sometimes substitute. Many candidates start as a Certified Radiology Technician.

💼

Step 2

Experience

Accumulate required years of experience in radiology management domains like human resources, asset management, and finance.

📝

Step 3

Apply

The RACC uses a point system based on education and experience to determine eligibility.

🏆

Step 4

Exam

Apply through the RACC website and pay the examination fee.

CRA Certification Costs

Understanding the financial investment is important. Below is a breakdown of costs associated with becoming a Certified Radiology Administrator.

💵$425Member Exam Fee For AHRA members

💳$550Non-Member Fee Standard exam cost

📚$150+Study Materials Books & practice tests

🔄$200Renewal Fee Every 3 years

🔁$300Retake Fee If re-examination needed

While the initial cost is around $600-$800 including materials, the potential salary increase for a Certified Radiology Administrator makes the ROI very high, often paying for itself within the first few months of a promotion.

CRA CERTIFICATION PRACTICE TEST

CRA Contact Information

For official information regarding the Certified Radiology Administrator exam, contact these organizations.

🌐

AHRA / RACC

Certifying Body

Website: ahra.org

Services: Certification, Renewal

Contact: info@ahra.org

🏢

PSI

Exams Testing Partner

Website: psiexams.com

Services: Scheduling, Testing Centers

Contact: Support Line

📚

Study

Resources Exam Prep

Website: AHRA Store

Services: Study Guides, Practice Tests

Contact: Online Store

📝

Application

Registration

Website: CRA Application

Services: Apply, Check Status

Contact: RACC Support

CRA PRACTICE EXAM

📄CRA Practice Test Questions and Answers PDF

Start Your CRA Prep Today

Join thousands of professionals who have passed the Certified Radiology Administrator exam. Access our free practice tests and study guides now to advance your career.

CRA Renewal Requirements

🎓

CE Credits

36 Hours

📅

Cycle

3 Years

💵

Fee

$200

Ensure your Certified Radiology status remains active by tracking CE credits early. The RACC audits a percentage of renewals, so keep documentation of all continuing education activities.

CRA Questions and Answers

About the Author

Dr. Michael ReynoldsMD, FACP, MS Medical Education

Board-Certified Physician & Medical Licensing Exam Expert

Harvard Medical School

Dr. Michael Reynolds is a board-certified internist and Fellow of the American College of Physicians with an MD from Harvard Medical School and a Master of Science in Medical Education. With 18 years of clinical and academic medicine experience, he specializes in USMLE Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3 preparation, internal medicine board certification, and medical specialty licensing examinations.