Kentucky Radiologic Technologist License — Requirements & Application

Kentucky requires an individual state license for radiographers and other medical imaging professionals — see the At-a-Glance table above for the credential name, governing agency, and fee. Licensure is administered by the Kentucky Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (KBMIRT), which oversees radiographers, nuclear medicine technologists, radiation therapists, advanced imaging professionals, and limited x-ray machine operators under a single regulatory framework.

For most working RTs, Kentucky licensure is a matter of holding active ARRT or NMTCB certification rather than passing a separate state exam. A distinct state examination — the Kentucky Limited Scope Exam — applies only to the Limited X-ray Machine Operator (LXMO) category, a narrower scope-of-practice credential covering specific limited radiographic procedures. Once licensed, see our Kentucky Radiologic Technologist License Renewal Guide for how to keep your license active.

What Makes Kentucky Different

Kentucky licenses radiographers, nuclear medicine technologists, radiation therapists, advanced imaging professionals, and limited x-ray machine operators under one board and one chapter of regulation (201 KAR Chapter 46), rather than separate boards per discipline. There is no Kentucky-administered exam for standard radiographer licensure — the state relies entirely on ARRT or NMTCB certification. The one notable wrinkle: license renewal is annual, but continuing education is tracked on a biennial cycle, so CE hours are attested each year but only need to be documented in full if the licensee is selected for audit.

Interstate Portability

Kentucky is not part of any interstate licensure compact for radiologic technologists — no such compact currently exists for this profession nationally. Portability for RTs relies on maintaining active ARRT or NMTCB certification, which most states, including Kentucky, accept in place of a separate state competency exam. Travel RTs still need to hold an active Kentucky license before practicing in the state; ARRT certification alone does not substitute for state licensure.

Requirements for Kentucky RT Licensure

• Education: Graduation from an accredited educational program (JRCERT, JRCNMT, or other ARRT-recognized accrediting agency approved by the board)
• National certification: Active ARRT or NMTCB certification and registration
• Background check: Results of a criminal background check completed within the past 6 months, covering the applicant’s state of residence and employment and any other state of residence or employment within the past 5 years, submitted with the application
• Identification: Copy of a government-issued photo ID
• Application fee: $100, non-refundable

Applicants who have completed an accredited program but are still awaiting ARRT or NMTCB exam results can apply for a temporary license ($100, non-refundable), valid for up to one year and non-renewable. Per 201 KAR 46:045, a temporary license is converted to a regular license upon submission of documentation of ARRT or NMTCB certification.

How to Apply for a Kentucky RT License

1. Confirm you hold — or have completed the requirements for — active ARRT or NMTCB certification
2. Go to the KBMIRT website and select “Apply for Initial or Temporary License” to reach the Application Portal
3. Complete the online application and upload a government-issued photo ID
4. Submit results of a criminal background check meeting the timing and jurisdictional requirements above
5. Pay the $100 non-refundable application fee (temporary license applicants also pay $100)
6. Await confirmation from KBMIRT — the board does not publish standard processing times, so contact KBMIRT directly for a current estimate

Limited X-ray Machine Operator applicants follow a separate pathway: completion of a board-approved LXMO education program, then passing the Kentucky Limited Scope Exam (ARRT-administered) within one calendar year of program completion.

Practical Notes for Kentucky Licensing

• There’s no separate Kentucky competency exam for standard licensure. If your ARRT or NMTCB certification is active, you’ve already cleared the exam requirement — Kentucky licensure is primarily a paperwork and background-check process from there.
• Processing time isn’t published — plan accordingly. Applicants should contact KBMIRT for current processing estimates, as the board does not publish standard processing times on its public pages.
• No separate endorsement or reciprocity application is identified in regulation. Kentucky’s regulations do not describe a distinct licensure-by-endorsement pathway for applicants already licensed in another state — technologists licensed elsewhere generally qualify by meeting Kentucky’s standard licensure requirements, including active national certification and all required application materials.
• A temporary license can bridge the gap. If you’ve finished your program but haven’t sat for (or received results from) your ARRT or NMTCB exam yet, the one-year, non-renewable temporary license lets you begin practicing sooner.

Relevant Statutes

• 201 KAR 46:040 — Medical imaging technologist, advanced imaging professional, radiographer, nuclear medicine technologist, and radiation therapist licenses
• 201 KAR 46:045 — Temporary license application procedures
• 201 KAR 46:081 — Limited x-ray machine operator licensure
• 201 KAR 46:010 — Definitions

Related Pages

• Kentucky Radiologic Technologist License Renewal — Requirements and Process
• Radiologic Technologist Licensing by State — Complete Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Kentucky require a state license for radiologic technologists?

Yes. Kentucky requires an individual state license, administered by the Kentucky Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (KBMIRT), for radiographers and related medical imaging disciplines. Source: KBMIRT

Do I need to pass a separate Kentucky state exam?

No, not for standard radiographer, nuclear medicine technologist, radiation therapist, or advanced imaging professional licensure — active ARRT or NMTCB certification satisfies the examination requirement. A separate state exam, the Kentucky Limited Scope Exam, applies only to the Limited X-ray Machine Operator category. Source: 201 KAR 46:040

How much does a Kentucky RT license application cost?

The initial application and license fee is $100, non-refundable. A temporary license application is also $100. Source: KBMIRT Current Fee Structure

Is there an interstate compact for radiologic technologists that includes Kentucky?

No. There is currently no interstate licensure compact for radiologic technologists in the United States, so Kentucky licensure must be obtained individually regardless of licenses held in other states. Source: KBMIRT

How long does it take to get a Kentucky RT license?

KBMIRT does not publish a standard processing time on its public pages. Applicants should apply well ahead of a planned start date and contact the board directly for a current estimate. Source: KBMIRT

Can I apply for a Kentucky license while I’m still waiting on my ARRT exam results?

Yes. Kentucky offers a temporary license, valid for up to one year and non-renewable, for applicants who have completed an accredited program and are awaiting ARRT or NMTCB certification. Per 201 KAR 46:045, the temporary license is converted to a regular license upon submission of documentation of ARRT or NMTCB certification. Source: 201 KAR 46:045

Can travel radiologic technologists work in Kentucky with only an ARRT certification?

No. Travel radiologic technologists must obtain a Kentucky license before practicing in the state. ARRT certification alone does not authorize practice — Kentucky requires an active individual state license regardless of licenses or certifications held elsewhere. Source: KBMIRT