What is an radiologic technologist license, and how do you get one?
Most states license radiologic technologists, and nearly all of them use certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists as the qualifying basis. The path is a programme accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology — typically a two-year associate degree — followed by the ARRT radiography examination and a state licence application. Additional modalities such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and mammography are earned as post-primary credentials. Radiologic technologists earn a $80,110 median.
- Complete a JRCERT-accredited radiography programme.
- Pass the ARRT radiography certification examination.
- Apply for your state radiographer licence.
- Add post-primary modality credentials such as CT or MRI.
- Maintain ARRT certification and state licensure with continuing education.
How to get a radiologic technologist license
- 1
Complete a JRCERT-accredited programme
Enrol in an accredited radiography programme, usually a two-year associate degree, covering anatomy, physics, positioning, radiation protection and patient care with extensive clinical placement. Accreditation is what makes you eligible for ARRT certification.
- 2
Meet ARRT's ethics requirement
ARRT requires disclosure of relevant convictions and can require a pre-application ethics review, which is worth resolving early rather than close to graduation, since it can delay eligibility to sit the examination.
- 3
Pass the ARRT radiography examination
Sit the examination at Pearson VUE covering patient care and education, safety and radiation protection, image production including exposure technique, and procedures across anatomical regions. It is scored against a scaled standard.
- 4
Apply for your state licence
In the majority of states that license radiographers, apply to the radiation control agency or health department with your ARRT certification. The process is usually administrative because the state relies on the national credential.
- 5
Add modalities and maintain both credentials
Accumulate documented clinical experience in CT, MRI, mammography or interventional imaging and sit the post-primary examinations — this is where pay progression comes from. Then maintain ARRT registration biennially with continuing education, and renew your state licence separately.
Radiologic Technologist license requirements
Requirements combine accredited education, national certification and state licensure. You generally need:
Accredited education
A programme accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, usually a two-year associate degree, combining didactic study in anatomy, physics, positioning, radiation protection and patient care with extensive clinical placement.
ARRT certification
The radiography examination from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, plus its ethics requirement, which together confer the credential states and employers rely on.
State licence
Application to the state radiation control or health agency in the majority of states that license radiographers, generally on the basis of ARRT certification.
Modality credentials
Post-primary ARRT credentials in computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, mammography, vascular-interventional and other modalities, each requiring documented clinical experience and an examination.
How much a radiologic technologist license costs
Beyond the programme, costs are modest and often employer-funded. Budget for:
The accredited programme is the main cost. ARRT publishes examination and renewal fees directly, and hospital employers commonly fund modality credentialing because it expands what the department can offer.
The radiologic technologist license exam
The ARRT radiography examination is delivered at Pearson VUE and covers patient care and education, safety including radiation protection and equipment operation, image production including exposure technique and image acquisition and evaluation, and procedures across anatomical regions. It is scored on a scaled standard rather than as a percentage. Eligibility requires completion of an accredited programme and compliance with ARRT's ethics requirement, which asks candidates to disclose relevant convictions and can require a pre-application review. Post-primary modality examinations follow the same pattern but additionally require documented clinical experience in the modality, which is why technologists add CT or MRI while working rather than before.
How long it takes to get licensed
About two to three years from starting the accredited programme to certification and state licensure, with modality credentials added afterwards while working.
Radiologic Technologist license types: the full ladder
Career progression here runs almost entirely through modality credentials rather than through licence levels.
Radiography student
Performs imaging under supervision within an accredited programme's clinical placement; not certified or licensed.
Limited scope radiographer
A restricted permit issued by several states for defined radiography in specific settings, typically without full accredited education.
Registered radiographer
The core credential: ARRT certification in radiography plus the state licence, authorising general diagnostic imaging.
Computed tomography credential
A post-primary ARRT credential requiring documented CT clinical experience and an examination — the most commonly added modality.
Magnetic resonance imaging credential
A post-primary credential for MRI, with its own safety considerations and clinical experience requirements.
Mammography credential
A post-primary credential additionally governed by federal mammography quality standards, which set specific initial and continuing qualification requirements.
Advanced and leadership roles
Lead technologist, clinical instructor and imaging management positions, generally requiring multiple modality credentials and often a bachelor's degree.
Radiography credential vs Post-primary modality: radiologic technologist license
Radiologic Technologist license reciprocity between states
ARRT certification is national and travels without any transfer process, which makes radiologic technologists among the more mobile allied health professionals. State licences are separate applications, but because nearly every licensing state relies on ARRT certification as the qualifying basis, the process is usually administrative rather than substantive — an application, a fee and verification of certification. Limited-scope permits are the exception: they are state-specific and generally do not transfer at all. Confirm with the destination state's radiation control agency before starting work.
Radiologic Technologistsalary & job outlook
Radiologic technologists earn a median of about $80,110 per year ($38.52/hour), and modality credentials are the clearest lever within that range — CT, MRI and interventional technologists consistently earn above general radiography. Employment is projected to grow 4.3%, with roughly 12,900 openings a year. See the full radiologic technologist salary guide for pay by state, city and experience level.
Radiologic Technologist license requirements by state
Most states license radiographers, so what differs is the licensing agency, whether limited-scope permits exist, and the continuing-education requirement.
The majority of states license radiologic technologists, generally through a radiation control programme or health department and generally on the basis of ARRT certification. A minority do not license, relying on ARRT certification and employer requirements instead. Several states also issue limited-scope permits for restricted radiography in specific settings. Confirm with the state agency before practising.
Browse all state guides
Radiologic Technologist license FAQs
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook (Radiologic and MRI Technologists) · American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) · JRCERT, Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology · FDA, Mammography Quality Standards Act. Requirements and fees are set per state and change, confirm with your state board before applying.
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