| State | Requires State License? | Uses ARRT for Licensing? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | Yes | Regulates multiple modalities |
| Alaska | Yes | Yes | Radiography & therapy regulated |
| Arizona | Yes | Yes | CT & MRI require additional authorization |
| Arkansas | Yes | Yes | Broad regulation |
| California | Yes | Yes | One of the strictest regulatory systems |
| Colorado | No | No | No licensure; employers require ARRT |
| Connecticut | Yes | Yes | Includes limited scope |
| Delaware | Yes | Yes | Radiography & therapy regulated |
| Florida | Yes | Yes | Multiple modality categories |
| Georgia | No | No | No licensure; employer‑based requirements |
| Hawaii | Yes | Yes | Radiography & therapy regulated |
| Idaho | No | No | No licensure |
| Illinois | Yes | Yes | Nuclear medicine separately regulated |
| Indiana | Yes | Yes | Radiography & therapy regulated |
| Iowa | Yes | Yes | Broad regulation |
| Kansas | No | No | No licensure |
| Kentucky | Yes | Yes | Radiography & therapy regulated |
| Louisiana | Yes | Yes | Multiple modality categories |
| Maine | Yes | Yes | Radiography & therapy regulated |
| Maryland | Yes | Yes | Radiography & therapy regulated |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Yes | Radiography & therapy regulated |
| Michigan | No | No | No licensure |
| Minnesota | No | No | No licensure |
| Mississippi | Yes | Yes | Radiography & therapy regulated |
| Missouri | No | No | No licensure |
| Montana | Yes | Yes | Radiography & therapy regulated |
| Nebraska | Yes | Yes | Radiography & therapy regulated |
| Nevada | Yes | Yes | Radiography, CT, MRI, mammo regulated |
| New Hampshire | Yes | Yes | Radiography & therapy regulated |
| New Jersey | Yes | Yes | Strict modality‑specific regulation |
| New Mexico | Yes | Yes | Radiography & therapy regulated |
| New York | Yes | Yes | Public Health Law regulates radiography |
| North Carolina | No | No | No licensure |
| North Dakota | Yes | Yes | Radiography & therapy regulated |
| Ohio | Yes | Yes | Radiography, nuclear medicine, therapy regulated |
| Oklahoma | Yes | Yes | Radiography & therapy regulated |
| Oregon | Yes | Yes | Radiography, CT, MRI, mammo regulated |
| Pennsylvania | No | No | No licensure |
| Rhode Island | Yes | Yes | Radiography & therapy regulated |
| South Carolina | Yes | Yes | Radiography & therapy regulated |
| South Dakota | Yes | Yes | Radiography & therapy regulated |
| Tennessee | Yes | Yes | Radiography & therapy regulated |
| Texas | Yes | Yes | Jurisprudence exam required |
| Utah | Yes | Yes | Radiography & therapy regulated |
| Vermont | Yes | Yes | Radiography & therapy regulated |
| Virginia | Yes | Yes | Radiography & therapy regulated |
| Washington | Yes | Yes | Radiography & therapy regulated |
| West Virginia | Yes | Yes | Radiography & therapy regulated |
| Wisconsin | No | No | No licensure |
| Wyoming | Yes | Yes | Radiography & therapy regulated |
Sources: State licensure requirements summarized from ARRT and ASRT regulatory data.
National Accreditation & Certification Bodies (United States)
| Organization | Role | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| ARRT – American Registry of Radiologic Technologists | National certification & registration; exams used by most states | Radiography, CT, MRI, Mammo, Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Therapy, RA |
| NMTCB – Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board | National certification for nuclear medicine | Nuclear Medicine, PET |
| ARDMS – American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography | National certification | General, OB/GYN, Vascular, Cardiac Sonography |
| CCI – Cardiovascular Credentialing International | National certification | Cardiac & vascular ultrasound |
| ISCD – International Society for Clinical Densitometry | Certification | DEXA/Bone Densitometry |
| JRCERT – Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology | Programmatic accreditation | Radiography, Radiation Therapy, RA |
| CAAHEP – Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs | Programmatic accreditation | Sonography, NMT |
| ABR – American Board of Radiology | Physician board certification | Radiologists, Radiation Oncologists, Medical Physicists |
Federal Regulations Affecting Radiologic Practice
| Regulation | Applies To | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MQSA – Mammography Quality Standards Act | Mammography | Federal certification required for technologists & facilities |
| NRC – Nuclear Regulatory Commission | Nuclear medicine, PET | Regulates radioactive materials |
| OSHA | All modalities | Worker safety standards |
| HIPAA | All modalities | Patient data protection |
Summary
Over 75% of U.S. states require licensure for radiologic technologists.
Most states use ARRT exams or credentials as part of their licensing process.
ASRT provides modality‑specific regulation maps showing which states regulate which imaging specialties.
A small number of states (e.g., Colorado, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin) Do Not license radiologic technologists.
National certification bodies (ARRT, ARDMS, NMTCB, CCI, ISCD) provide standardized credentials used across the country.
Radiology Program Types and Typical Length
Most entry pathways are Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or Associate of Science (AS) degrees that combine general education with technical coursework and radiological clinical practice. Programs commonly run two to three years (six to nine semesters) and require selective admission. Many employers and state licensure boards expect graduation from an accredited program.
What Students Learn: Core Radiology Course Areas
- General Education — College writing, communication, basic math, psychology, and anatomy & physiology to support clinical reasoning.
- Radiography Fundamentals — Radiographic positioning, exposure factors, image formation, and image evaluation.
- Radiation Physics and Biology — How X‑rays are produced, how they interact with tissue, and principles of dose reduction.
- Patient Care and Safety — Vital signs, infection control, patient assessment, contrast agent basics, and emergency response.
- Clinical Practicum — Supervised rotations in emergency, inpatient, OR, fluoroscopy, and portable imaging with progressive competency checks.
- Professional Practice — Ethics, legal responsibilities, documentation, quality assurance, and ARRT exam preparation.
- Advanced or Elective Modules — Introductory CT, MRI, mammography, interventional radiography, and PACS/informatics (often offered as electives or post‑certification training).
Example Two‑Year Semester Sequence (Illustrative)
- Semester 1: Foundations — College Composition; Intro to Radiologic Technology; Anatomy & Physiology I; Radiographic Positioning I; Clinical Practicum I.
- Semester 2: Core Skills — Anatomy & Physiology II; Radiographic Exposure and Physics I; Radiographic Positioning II; Patient Care; Clinical Practicum II.
- Semester 3: Safety and Quality — Radiation Protection; Image Evaluation; Cross‑Sectional Anatomy/Pathology; Clinical Practicum III (ER/OR emphasis).
- Semester 4: Advanced Applications — Fluoroscopy and Special Procedures; Intro to CT/MRI; Advanced Clinical Practicum; Professional Issues and ARRT Review.
- Capstone/Consolidation — Final competency assessments, radiology portfolio, and elective cross‑training (if available).
Radiology Clinical Experience and Certification
- Clinical Hours and Competencies — Accredited programs require documented clinical hours and demonstration of specific competencies before graduation.
- Certification and Licensure — Graduates typically sit for the ARRT certification exam in radiography; many states require ARRT certification or state licensure to practice. Programs usually include exam preparation and mock testing.
How To Choose a Radiology Program: Practical Criteria
- Radiology Accreditation — Prefer programs accredited by recognized bodies (ensures eligibility for certification and consistent quality).
- Radiology Clinical Site Variety — Look for programs with diverse clinical partners (trauma centers, outpatient imaging, interventional suites) to gain broad experience.
- Radiology Program Outcomes Data — Ask for graduation rates, ARRT pass rates, and job placement statistics.
- Radiology Faculty Experience — Instructors with active clinical practice and teaching experience improve learning and mentorship.
- Radiology Program Format and Flexibility — Check whether didactic content is in‑person, hybrid, or online and how clinical rotations are scheduled.
- Radiology College Costs and Support — Compare tuition, fees, financial aid, and availability of scholarships or employer partnerships.
Common Questions Students Ask Radiology Program Directors
- Prerequisites to join radiology program? — Often include college algebra, anatomy & physiology, CPR, immunizations, background check, and drug screen.
- Can I work while enrolled in radiology school? — Clinical rotations are time‑intensive; many students reduce work hours or seek flexible employers.
- Career paths after graduation from x-ray program? — Staff radiographer, CT/MRI technologist (with additional training), interventional tech, education, or supervisory roles.
Next Steps To Move Forward
Request each program’s radiology course catalog and radiology student handbook to review exact course titles, credit hours, clinical requirements, and ARRT pass rates. Visit clinical sites or speak with current students and radiology clinical instructors to understand daily workflow and culture.