(This article is a work-in-progress. I am continuing to gather information to complete. Thank you to Chris Codding @ XrayCoach.com for assisting.)
There are so many websites on the internet with conflicting information about radiology licensure that I decided to write an updated source.
A common question I see is something like “What states can I work in radiology where I don’t have to be licensed?”
States and Xray Licensure
Which seems absurd, of course, because we irradiate people in general radiography, computed tomography, mammography, nuclear medicine, and so on. So how could you work in the radiography field and NOT have a license?
Well, there are still a handful of states that don’t care to be honest. States where the physicians influence legislature to let them pay their secretary to expose patients to xrays so they can save a few bucks in salary expense.
Xray Techs = $24/hr but Secretary = $10/hr (<== Non-Licensed employee is cheaper)
But this post isn’t about the politics. Save that for another day. This post is simply to list each state and what type of licensure or certification, if any, is needed to perform radiography.
Categories of State Requirements
There are three categories in this list:
- No license at all required to perform x-ray exams
- National ARRT license only
- State and National (ARRT) license required
The national radiography license is monitored and given by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT.) You can visit their website to find more details.
Some states only require a national ARRT license.
Some states require that after you get your ARRT license, you then apply for a STATE license to practice in that state only, and it usually just consists of paying a fee.
State licenses do NOT work in any other state beyond where you get it.
Then there are a few states that still require no licensure whatsoever.
Note: just because the State does not require any licensure, local healthcare facilities may still require it. The only way to know is to call the place you want to work.
As of this writing, December 2020, the following states do NOT require ARRT licensure to perform radiographic examinations.
States with No Licensure Required
Click the state for official information
Alaska (10 hour fluoro test to use fluoro, varies by hospital if license is needed)
ARRT Only, no State License Required
Virginia (ARRT if hospital, State & ARRT if in office/clinic)
Both State and ARRT Required
California (No more Fluoro license for ARRT grads after 2011)
Illinois (ARRT & IEMA)
Arizona (ARRT and MRTBE AZ Dept of Health)
Texas (ARRT and Texas State Medical Board)
Wisconsin (ARRT and State but state is just a fee)
Ohio (ARRT and Ohio Dept of Health)
Indiana
Florida (AAzRT and State license)
West Virginia (ARRT and WV Imaging Board)
Louisiana (ARRT & Louisiana State Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners) LSRT
Montana (ARRT & Montana Board of Radiologic Technologists)
Oregon (ARRT & Oregon Board of Radiologic Technology)
Mississippi (Medical Radiation Technologist)
Unsure (still gathering data)
Virginia (if hospital is licensed by xx then need only ARRT. to work urgent care, private office you need ARRT plus state license.)