North Idaho College’s Radiography Technology Program in Coeur d’Alene has once again achieved a perfect record on two of the most closely watched measures in allied health education — 100% job placement and a 100% first-attempt pass rate on the national licensing exam. The program’s 2026 graduating class, honored at a pinning ceremony on May 14, has already secured positions at regional healthcare employers including Kootenai Health and Bonner General Health.
A Track Record That Stands Out Nationally
NIC’s radiography graduates have achieved full employment every year since 2019, a streak that reflects both the quality of the program and the robust demand for medical imaging professionals across North Idaho and the broader Inland Northwest. On the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists examination — the national credentialing test required to practice — NIC graduates have passed on the first attempt every year since 2018. The national average first-attempt pass rate sits at 85%, making NIC’s unbroken record a significant benchmark in the field.
Program leadership credits the outcome to the structure of its curriculum. Tarie Zimmerman, speaking about the program’s approach, said the combination of “rigorous instruction, hands-on clinical experience and strong partnerships with healthcare providers” is what allows graduates “to step confidently into high-demand roles.”
The program is intentionally small, accepting no more than 10 students per year. Applications are reviewed each spring for enrollment beginning the following August.
2026 Graduates Land Local Health Care Jobs
The newly pinned class of 2026 has already moved into the workforce. Mikayla Jakubek and Bethany Littman were both hired by Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene, while Aurianna Pine joined Kootenai Health’s Post Falls facility. Michael Lesperance and Eric Holt accepted positions with Bonner General Health in Sandpoint.
Littman was also recognized for her clinical performance during the ceremony, receiving the Certificate of Excellence as the program’s top clinical student.
One Graduate’s Commitment: An Hour Each Way for Nearly Two Years
For Michael Lesperance, earning his degree required more than academic effort. Lesperance made the roughly one-hour drive from St. Maries to Coeur d’Alene for nearly two years to complete the program. During his final semester, the demands of clinical training led him to rent an apartment near Newport, Washington, to cut down on travel time. He has since been hired as a radiologic technologist at Bonner General Health in Sandpoint — a position close to home that makes the sacrifice worthwhile.
“The driving and expenses took a lot of commitment,” Lesperance said. “While I was often nervous from road conditions, I never felt the urge to quit.”
His story reflects a pattern seen across rural North Idaho, where students from smaller communities like St. Maries, Rathdrum, and Spirit Lake regularly travel significant distances to access career and technical programs at NIC. The college’s presence in Coeur d’Alene serves as a critical training hub for the region’s healthcare workforce pipeline.
Impact on Kootenai County’s Health Care Workforce
The radiography program’s output, though small by design, has an outsized effect on the local medical community. With Kootenai Health expanding its footprint across Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls and regional providers like Bonner General Health serving communities to the north, the demand for credentialed imaging technologists continues to grow. Programs with proven placement and pass rates help ensure that North Idaho’s healthcare system is staffed by locally trained professionals who are likely to remain in the region.
NIC has also drawn attention for other community-facing programming, including a recent U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors performance held on campus that brought North Idaho residents together in Coeur d’Alene.
What Comes Next
NIC will open applications for the next radiography cohort in the spring, with enrollment set for August. Prospective students interested in pursuing a career in medical imaging — one of the consistently in-demand healthcare fields across Kootenai County and the Panhandle — can contact the college’s Allied Health division for application requirements and program details. Given the program’s limited enrollment cap, early preparation is strongly encouraged.