Passing the ARRT exam makes you a registered technologist, but in most of the U.S. it doesn’t by itself let you take X-rays. That permission comes from the state. Each state decides whether radiographers need a license, what it’s called and how you get it. This guide explains how the system works, which states license and which don’t, and what to do if you’re moving.
[TU EXPERIENCIA: 2–3 sentences. I trained and work as an imaging technologist in Spain, where… Contrast briefly with the U.S. state-by-state system.]
Key takeaways
- Licensing is set by states, not the federal government.
- According to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), 37 states and Washington, D.C. license, certify or permit radiographers.
- Six more states set a training or credential standard without a license, and seven have no radiography licensure.
- Most licensing states accept ARRT certification as proof of competence, so the ARRT credential is your strongest starting point.
- Licenses don’t automatically transfer. If you move, you apply again in the new state.
How rad tech licensing works
The federal government sets equipment and mammography rules, but it doesn’t license the people who operate X-ray machines. Each state does that through its own agency. Depending on the state, it might be a health department radiation control program, a medical board or a dedicated radiologic technology board.
The credential may be called a license, a certificate, a permit or a registration. For the person doing the work, they mean the same thing: you can’t legally perform X-rays in that state without it.
Most states build their rules on national certification. If you hold the ARRT radiography credential, R.T.(R), most licensing states accept it as meeting their exam requirement. You then add state paperwork, such as an application, a fee and often a background check.
States that license radiographers
The ASRT lists these 37 states plus Washington, D.C. as having radiography licensure (including certificates and permits):
| Region | States |
|---|---|
| Northeast | Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont |
| South | Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, plus Washington, D.C. |
| Midwest | Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Wisconsin |
| West | Arizona, California, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming |
States with a standard but no license
In these six states, the ASRT lists a standard rather than licensure. That usually means the law or regulation requires some education or a national credential, but the state doesn’t issue a personal license:
- Colorado
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Pennsylvania
Employers in these states often still require ARRT certification. Mammography is a separate case: federal MQSA rules apply in every state.
States with no radiography licensure
The ASRT lists no radiography licensure in:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Idaho
- Missouri
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
No state license doesn’t mean anyone can do the job. Hospitals, accrediting bodies and insurers usually expect ARRT certification, and some of these states have narrower rules for specific tasks, such as fluoroscopy or mammography.
Licenses for MRI, sonography and other modalities
A few states also license technologists who don’t use ionizing radiation. According to the ASRT:
- MRI licensure: Florida, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Washington, West Virginia and Washington, D.C.
- Sonography licensure: New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon and Washington, D.C.
Nuclear medicine technologists and radiation therapists are also licensed in many states, often by the same agency that licenses radiographers.
Limited-scope licenses
Many states offer a limited license for people who take only basic X-rays, such as the chest or extremities, often in clinics or urgent care. These operators complete a shorter course and a separate exam, and they can’t perform the full range of radiography. The rules differ widely from state to state. Our guide to limited X-ray machine operators explains how it works.
Typical requirements for a full license
Requirements vary, but most licensing states ask for:
- Education: completion of an accredited radiography program, usually an associate degree or higher.
- Exam: a passing score on the ARRT radiography exam, or the state’s own exam in some cases.
- Application and fee: submitted online or by mail to the state agency.
- Background check: often with fingerprints.
- Extra state steps: for example, a jurisprudence (state law) exam.
Example: Texas. The Texas Medical Board issues the General Medical Radiologic Technologist (GMRT) certificate. The application includes a jurisprudence exam and fingerprinting for a criminal history check, along with proof of lawful presence. Texas also offers a one-year temporary certificate that can’t be renewed.
Example: California. The California Department of Public Health’s Radiologic Health Branch issues the Certified Radiologic Technologist (CRT) certificate. Fluoroscopy requires a separate permit.
How to apply
- Find the agency for your state. The ASRT state licensure page links to each one.
- Read the current requirements and fees on the agency’s site.
- Gather your documents: program transcript, ARRT certificate or verification, ID and any required forms.
- Complete the background check if required.
- Submit the application and keep copies of everything.
- Wait for approval before you start working. Practicing without a license where one is required can lead to fines and disciplinary action.
Moving to another state
There’s no national license, and most states don’t have automatic reciprocity for rad techs. If you move, you’ll usually need to apply for a new license. The good news is that ARRT certification makes this much easier, because most states accept it without a new exam.
Tips for moving:
- Apply before you move, because processing can take weeks.
- Ask your new employer if they help with licensing costs.
- Keep your ARRT registration current; many states require it for renewal.
- Travel technologists often hold several state licenses at once.
Renewal and continuing education
ARRT requires 24 continuing education credits every two years to keep your certification. Many states accept ARRT CE for state renewal, but some add their own rules.
For example, California requires 24 credits in the 24 months before the certificate expires. At least 4 must cover digital radiography, and fluoroscopy permit holders need 4 credits in fluoroscopy radiation safety.
Frequently asked questions
Is ARRT certification the same as a state license? No. ARRT certification is a national credential that shows you passed the exam and meet ethics and education standards. A state license is legal permission to work in that state. Most licensing states require or accept ARRT certification as part of the license.
Can I work as a rad tech in a state without licensure without ARRT? Legally it may be possible, but most hospitals and imaging centers still require ARRT certification. Without it, your job options will be very limited.
Does my license transfer when I move? Usually not automatically. You apply for a new license in the new state, but your ARRT credential typically covers the exam requirement.
Do I need a separate license for CT or MRI? CT is usually covered by your radiography license, though some states have extra rules. A few states license MRI technologists separately, as listed above.
What is a limited X-ray license? It allows a person to take a limited set of X-rays, such as the chest and extremities, after a shorter training program. It isn’t a full radiography license.
Sources
- American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT): Individual state licensure.
- Texas Medical Board: Medical Radiologic Technologist certificate application.
- California Department of Public Health, Radiologic Health Branch: X-ray continuing education requirements.
- American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT): continuing education requirements.
This article is for general information only and isn’t legal advice. Always confirm current requirements with the licensing agency in your state.