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.