Kansas Radiologic Technologist (L.R.T.) License — Requirements & Application

Kansas requires an individual state license for radiologic technologists — see the At-a-Glance table above for the credential name, governing agency, and fee. The official credential is the Licensed Radiologic Technologist (L.R.T.), administered by the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts (KSBHA) under the Kansas Radiologic Technologists Practice Act. Once licensed, see our Kansas Radiologic Technologist License Renewal Guide for how to keep your license active.

Kansas’s practice definition is worth noting precisely: the license covers the use of radioactive substances or ionizing-radiation equipment on humans for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, and specifically includes radiography, nuclear medicine technology, and radiation therapy — but does not include echocardiography, diagnostic sonography, or magnetic resonance imaging, which fall under different Kansas credentials.

What Makes Kansas Different

Kansas accepts approved national certification examinations, including ARRT and NMTCB, in place of a board-administered exam — a separate Kansas examination is generally unnecessary once an approved national examination has been passed. Kansas also offers a genuine waiver pathway: the Board may waive the examination and educational qualification requirements when an applicant demonstrates statutory equivalency — holding a current, equivalent license from another state along with current national certification.

Kansas licenses a wide range of healing arts professions — 17 in total — through a single board, KSBHA, rather than a dedicated radiologic technology board. That means fee schedules, forms, and contact channels are shared infrastructure across many professions, so double-check that any form or fee reference you’re using is specifically labeled for Radiologic Technologist (L.R.T.), not another KSBHA-regulated profession.

Interstate Portability

Kansas is not a member of any interstate compact for radiologic technologists, and no such compact currently exists for this profession nationally. Kansas’s own waiver provision is the closest thing to an alternative pathway: applicants who demonstrate statutory equivalency — a current, equivalent out-of-state license plus active national certification — may have the examination and educational qualification requirements waived. Travel RTs still need an active Kansas license before practicing in the state; ARRT certification alone does not substitute for state licensure.

Requirements for Kansas RT Licensure

• Education: Completion of a board-approved program in radiography, radiation therapy, or nuclear medicine technology, with curriculum no less stringent than existing national standards
• National certification or exam: A board-approved national exam (ARRT, NMTCB, or another recognized credentialing body), or — for applicants who don’t qualify this way — a board-administered exam
• Background check: Fingerprint-based criminal background check, processed by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, $57
• General qualifications: At least 18 years old, high school diploma or approved equivalent
• Application fee: $60, plus the $57 background check fee and $3 National Practitioner Data Bank fee

The application itself has a few specific mechanics worth knowing: it must be signed under oath and notarized, and it requires a 2-by-3-inch photograph taken within 90 days of submission. If you’ve held any health care license, registration, or certification in another state or jurisdiction, KSBHA requires verification from each one — not just your most recent state. A Social Security number, driver’s license number, or tax identification number is requested on the application, but Kansas law makes providing a Social Security number voluntary; no separate lawful-presence documentation requirement specific to this license was identified in KSBHA’s regulations.

Applicants who meet all licensure requirements except examination may be eligible for a temporary permit while they complete that step.

How to Apply for a Kansas RT License

1. Complete a board-approved educational program and pass an accepted national exam (ARRT, NMTCB, or another recognized credentialing body), or prepare to sit for a board-administered exam
2. Apply through the KSBHA online portal, or submit a paper application with the required additional forms
3. Complete the fingerprint-based background check process and submit the $57 fee to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation
4. Pay the $60 application fee and $3 NPDB fee, by check, money order, debit card, or major credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express)
5. Await assignment to a licensing analyst, who will track your documents as they arrive — processing averages 4–8 weeks, though this varies based on how quickly third-party organizations submit required verifications

Practical Notes for Kansas Licensing

• Processing time depends heavily on third parties, not just you. KSBHA notes that delays often come from waiting on outside organizations — your school, your national registry — to send verifications. Request those early rather than waiting until you submit your application.
• You won’t get a wallet card right away. KSBHA doesn’t issue wallet cards until your first renewal cycle — don’t be surprised if your only proof of licensure at first is your official license document and online verification.
• Double-check which fee schedule you’re looking at. Because KSBHA regulates 17 different healing arts professions under one fee page, it’s easy to reference a fee meant for a different profession. Confirm any figure is specifically listed under “Radiologic Technologist (L.R.T.).”
• If you’re coming from another state, ask about the waiver pathway before assuming you need to re-test. Kansas’s waiver provision can bypass both the exam and education review if your out-of-state license and national certification satisfy the Board’s equivalency standard.
• Military service comes with real license protections. If you’re called to military service, Kansas suspends your renewal fee, renewal application, and CE obligations for the duration — your license won’t lapse, expire, or be canceled during that period. You’ll need to formalize your return to practice within 6 months of release from service.

Relevant Statutes

• Kansas Radiologic Technologists Practice Act — K.S.A. 65-7301 through 65-7314
• KSBHA License Fees — current fee schedule by profession
• K.A.R. 100-73-2 — Application requirements (published by the Kansas Secretary of State’s Administrative Regulations; discussed on KSBHA’s General Counsel FAQ page)
• KSBHA — Licensure Types/Designations: Radiologic Technologist — military license provisions
• KSBHA — Radiologic Technologist (L.R.T.) — scope of practice definition, K.S.A. 65-7302(m)

Related Pages

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Kansas require a state license for radiologic technologists?

Yes. Kansas requires a Licensed Radiologic Technologist (L.R.T.) credential, administered by the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts, to perform radiologic technology procedures on humans, subject to limited statutory exceptions. Source: Kansas Radiologic Technologists Practice Act

Do I need to pass a separate Kansas state exam?

Not necessarily. Kansas accepts approved national certification examinations, including ARRT and NMTCB, in place of a board-administered exam — a separate Kansas examination is generally unnecessary once an approved national examination has been passed. Source: Kansas Radiologic Technologists Practice Act

How much does a Kansas RT license application cost?

The application fee is $60, plus a $57 fingerprint-based background check fee (Kansas Bureau of Investigation processing cost) and a $3 National Practitioner Data Bank fee. Source: KSBHA License Fees

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

The application process averages 4–8 weeks, though KSBHA notes that each application differs, and delays often stem from waiting on third-party organizations to submit required documentation. Source: KSBHA

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

No. There is currently no interstate licensure compact for radiologic technologists in the United States, so Kansas licensure must be obtained individually regardless of licenses held in other states. Kansas does offer its own waiver pathway for applicants with an equivalent out-of-state license and current national certification. Source: Kansas Radiologic Technologists Practice Act

Does Kansas require proof of lawful presence or a Social Security number to apply?

The application indicates that providing a Social Security number is voluntary as provided by Kansas law. No lawful-presence documentation requirement specific to radiologic technologist licensure was identified. Source: K.A.R. 100-73-2, via KSBHA General Counsel FAQ