Michigan Radiologic Technologist License Requirements — What You Need to Know

Bottom Line

Michigan’s radiologic technology framework operates through operator-qualification rules under Part 5 of the Radiation Safety Section rules rather than a separately issued state RT license. ARRT radiography is recognized under this framework, while CT practice carries additional qualification requirements beyond standard ARRT(R). Employers may independently require credentialing, background screening, competency validation, or internal privileging before allowing clinical practice.

Based on official Michigan sources reviewed in May 2026, Michigan’s radiologic technology requirements are governed by operator-qualification rules under Part 5 of the Radiation Safety Section rules rather than a separately issued individual state RT license. Michigan’s Radiation Safety Section under the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) oversees these rules — distinct from LARA’s Bureau of Professional Licensing, which handles other health profession licensing in Michigan.

For travel RTs and relocating technologists, this means no separate individual Michigan RT license application was identified in sources reviewed, and no state processing timeline applies at the individual level for base medical radiography. People researching Michigan radiologic technologist license requirements should understand that Michigan’s framework operates differently from traditional state licensure models — the primary compliance focus is ARRT certification, employer credentialing standards, and — critically for travel RTs — understanding the additional qualification steps required for CT practice in Michigan.

How RT Compliance Works in Michigan

Michigan’s Part 5 rules establish that, unless specifically exempt, a registrant (facility or employer) shall not employ an individual to perform medical radiologic technology unless that person meets the Part 5 requirements or has written departmental approval per R 333.5201(2). This is a facility-level obligation — the compliance burden falls on the employer. Employers may still independently require ARRT certification, background screening, competency validation, or internal privileging before allowing clinical practice regardless of what Part 5 requires.

Based on sources reviewed May 2026:

• No separate individual Michigan RT license application was identified in Part 5 operator-qualification rules reviewed
• No individual application fee was identified at the individual RT level
• No individual state renewal cycle was identified for base medical radiography credentials
• Active status is tied to national registry maintenance — per R 333.5211, active status requires possessing the appropriate credential and maintaining current registration with the credentialing registry
• Employer and facility credentialing standards apply independently — many Michigan hospitals and imaging employers require ARRT certification as part of their credentialing or hiring standards

Recognized Credentials for Michigan Medical Radiography Practice

Per R 333.5211, Michigan’s Part 5 rules recognize the following credentials as qualifying registry credentials for active status in medical radiologic technology categories:

• Medical radiography: ARRT – radiography (R); CAMRT – registered technologist, radiation technology (RTR)
• Radiation therapy technology: ARRT – registered radiation therapists (RTT); CAMRT – registered radiation therapists (RTT)
• Radiologist assistant: ARRT – registered radiologist assistant (RRA); CBRPA – radiology practitioner assistant (RPA)
• Chiropractic radiography: ACRRT
• Cardiac catheterization and interventional radiography: ARRT cardiovascular interventional (CV), cardiac interventional (CI), vascular interventional (VI); CCI – registered cardiovascular invasive specialist (RCIS)

Michigan’s rules recognize these national registries as the operative credentialing standard — the LEO Radiation Safety Section does not issue its own separate individual credential. Maintaining active ARRT registration in good standing is the practical standard for most working RTs in Michigan.

CT Practice in Michigan: Additional Qualification May Be Required

Michigan’s CT operator rules under R 333.5705 establish specific qualification requirements that go beyond ARRT(R) alone. This is one of the most important practical considerations for travel RTs accepting Michigan CT assignments.

Per Michigan LEO CT operator guidance reviewed May 2026:

• ARRT advanced CT certificate: Satisfies Michigan CT operator qualification requirements
• ARRT(R) without advanced CT certificate: ARRT(R) alone may not independently satisfy Michigan CT operator qualification requirements under R 333.5705 — the technologist must still document 20 hours of training and experience in operating CT equipment before qualifying as a CT operator
• Team CT approach: Only one technologist on a CT team needs to meet the full qualification requirements — but the qualified operator must be physically present in the CT room during the examination

Verify your CT qualification status and documentation directly with your employer or staffing agency before accepting a Michigan CT assignment. Do not assume ARRT(R) alone satisfies Michigan’s CT operator rules.

Limited Diagnostic Radiography: Separate Qualification Framework

Michigan’s Part 5 rules establish a separate qualification pathway for limited diagnostic radiography under R 333.5212. Limited diagnostic radiography is distinct from full-scope ARRT radiography practice — it applies to individuals who perform a specific limited scope of radiographic procedures covering defined body areas including chest, extremities, spine, skull and sinuses, and podiatric views.

Key requirements for limited diagnostic radiography per Part 5:

• Must complete an approved program or obtain a minimum of 40 hours of training relevant to the limited scope of practice — training must include both clinical and didactic components
• Training curriculum must cover healthcare fundamentals, medical terminology, patient care, anatomy and physiology, imaging production and evaluation, equipment and radiation production, and radiation protection and radiobiology
• CE requirement: 12 CE credits per 24 months per R 333.5213 — the only individual CE requirement identified in Part 5 rules reviewed May 2026, applying specifically to limited diagnostic radiography
• Proof of CE may be a certificate or itemized list from an ARRT-approved record-keeping mechanism
• All limited diagnostic radiographers must maintain proof of participation in continuing education activities

Approved CE Sources for Limited Diagnostic Radiography

Per R 333.5213, approved CE activities for limited diagnostic radiography include activities approved by a Recognized Continuing Education Evaluation Mechanism (RCEEM), approved academic courses from post-secondary educational institutions relevant to radiologic sciences or patient care (12 CE credits per academic quarter credit or 16 CE credits per semester credit), and advanced CPR certification through the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or American Safety and Health Institute (6 CE credits). Organizations with current RCEEM status include ASRT, ACR, AIUM, American Roentgen Ray Society, American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, Association of Vascular and Interventional Radiographers, CAMRT, Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board, RSNA, Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Section for Magnetic Resonance Technologist of ISMRM, Society of Nuclear Medicine Technologist Section, and Society of Vascular Ultrasound.

Mammography Practice in Michigan

Michigan’s official guidance references federal Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) requirements for mammography technologist qualifications per R 333.5630. No separate Michigan state mammography credential for individual technologists was identified in sources reviewed May 2026. If your Michigan assignment includes mammography, confirm current MQSA qualification requirements with your employer before starting work.

Practical Notes for Working Radiologic Technologists

• No separate state license does not mean no requirements. Michigan facilities and employers set their own credentialing standards independently of Part 5. Many will require active ARRT certification, background screening, and competency validation as part of their hiring or credentialing process. Confirm requirements with your specific employer or staffing agency before assuming no documentation is needed.
• ARRT(R) alone may not qualify you for CT in Michigan. This is the most important practical note for travel RTs. If your Michigan assignment involves CT and you hold ARRT(R) but not the ARRT advanced CT certificate, you may need to document 20 hours of CT equipment training and experience under R 333.5705. Confirm your CT qualification status with your agency before accepting a CT assignment in Michigan.
• CT team assignments: one qualified operator required in the room. If your facility uses a team approach for CT, only one team member needs to meet the full CT qualification requirements — but that qualified operator must be physically present in the CT room during the examination. Verify your role and your team’s qualification coverage with your employer.
• Limited scope radiographers have specific CE obligations. If you perform limited diagnostic radiography in Michigan, the 12 CE credit per 24-month requirement under R 333.5213 applies to you directly. Maintain proof of participation in approved CE activities — proof may be a certificate or itemized list from an ARRT-approved record-keeping mechanism.
• Travel RTs: fewer state-level steps than licensed states. Without a separate individual state license application, fee, or processing timeline to manage, Michigan assignments have fewer compliance steps than states like Ohio, Texas, or California. Your ARRT certification and agency credentialing are the primary focus — plus CT documentation if applicable.
• Watch for legislative changes. Michigan’s current framework could change if individual RT licensure is enacted. If you work in Michigan regularly, monitor state legislative developments. Legislative status last checked: May 22, 2026.

Related Pages

• Georgia Radiologic Technologist Requirements
• North Carolina Radiologic Technologist Requirements
• Ohio Radiologic Technologist License Requirements
• Radiologic Technologist Licensing by State — Complete Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Michigan state license to work as a radiologic technologist?

No separate individual state radiologic technologist license was identified in Michigan’s Part 5 operator-qualification rules reviewed May 2026. Michigan’s framework regulates through facility-level operator qualification requirements that recognize national registries such as ARRT rather than issuing separate individual state credentials. Source: Michigan LEO Part 5 Operator Qualification Rules

Does Michigan require ARRT certification for radiologic technologists?

Michigan’s Part 5 rules recognize ARRT radiography (R) as a qualifying registry credential for medical radiography active status per R 333.5211. ARRT certification is recognized as the qualifying credential under the operator-qualification framework — employers may independently require it as a condition of employment regardless of Part 5. Source: Michigan LEO Part 5 Rules, R 333.5211

Can I work in Michigan as a travel RT without a state license?

Based on Part 5 operator-qualification rules reviewed May 2026, no separate individual state RT license application was identified as required for standard medical radiography practice in Michigan. Travel RTs should focus on ARRT certification and facility credentialing requirements. If your assignment involves CT, verify whether you meet Michigan’s additional CT operator qualification requirements before starting. Source: Michigan LEO Part 5 Rules

Does my ARRT(R) certification qualify me for CT assignments in Michigan?

Not independently. Per Michigan LEO CT operator guidance reviewed May 2026, ARRT(R) alone may not satisfy Michigan CT operator qualification requirements under R 333.5705 without additional documentation. ARRT(R) holders without the ARRT advanced CT certificate must document 20 hours of training and experience in operating CT equipment. The ARRT advanced CT certificate satisfies Michigan CT operator requirements. Verify your CT qualification status with your employer or staffing agency before accepting a Michigan CT assignment. Source: Michigan LEO Part 5 Rules, R 333.5705

Are there CE requirements for radiologic technologists in Michigan?

Per Part 5 rules reviewed May 2026, a CE requirement of 12 credits per 24 months applies specifically to limited diagnostic radiography under R 333.5213. No individual state CE requirement for base medical radiography credentials was identified in sources reviewed. Source: Michigan LEO Part 5 Rules, R 333.5213

What regulation governs radiologic technology practice in Michigan?

Michigan radiologic technology operator qualification requirements are governed by Part 5 of the Radiation Safety Section rules (R 333.5201–5213), administered by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) Radiation Safety Section. CT operator requirements are governed by R 333.5705. Mammography references federal MQSA standards per R 333.5630. Source: Michigan LEO Part 5 Rules

How do I contact Michigan’s radiation oversight office?

The Michigan LEO Radiation Safety Section administers Part 5 operator qualification rules. For general professional licensing questions, Michigan LARA’s Bureau of Professional Licensing can be reached at BPLHelp@michigan.gov or 517-241-0199. For radiation-specific questions, contact the LEO Radiation Safety Section directly. Source: Michigan LARA BPL Contact