Rhode Island Radiologic Technologist License Requirements

Who This Guide Is For

• Radiologic technologists (radiographers) planning to apply for initial Rhode Island licensure by examination or endorsement.
• Traveling radiologic technologists who need to understand Rhode Island’s mail-in application process before accepting an assignment in the state.
• Recent graduates evaluating Rhode Island’s Graduate Technologist pathway while awaiting ARRT examination results.

Rhode Island licenses radiologic technologists through the Board of Radiologic Technology, a body operating under the Rhode Island Department of Health. The same regulation and Board also govern Nuclear Medicine Technologists and Radiation Therapists as separate, individually licensed categories, and technologists who want to perform CT procedures beyond what their base license covers must obtain a Supplemental CT authorization.

Unlike states that run their own written or practical examination, Rhode Island relies entirely on national credentialing. Applicants qualify for licensure by holding current ARRT certification (or NMTCB certification for nuclear medicine technologists), and the Board verifies that certification directly with the credentialing organization rather than testing applicants itself.

What Makes Rhode Island Different

Two things distinguish Rhode Island’s system from most other states covered in this database. First, the initial application process is entirely paper-based — there is no online submission option for new applicants, even though renewals are handled through an online portal. Applicants mail a printed application, supporting documentation, and a check or money order to the Board’s Providence office. Second, and more unusually, Rhode Island does not appear to impose a separate state continuing education hour requirement at all. Renewal is instead built around a signed attestation that the licensee’s national certification remains active — the state effectively delegates ongoing competency verification to the national credentialing bodies rather than auditing CE hours itself. This is a meaningfully different model from states that require licensees to log and report a fixed number of CE hours directly to the state board.

Interstate Portability

Rhode Island is not part of any interstate compact for radiologic technologists — no such compact currently exists nationally for this profession. Technologists moving from another state apply through Rhode Island’s Endorsement pathway, which requires direct license verification sent from each state where the applicant holds or has held a license, along with current ARRT (or NMTCB) certification. Because Rhode Island’s licensure standard is tied to ARRT credentialing rather than a Rhode Island-specific exam, technologists who maintain active ARRT certification generally find the endorsement process more about paperwork verification than substantive re-qualification.

Requirements

• Education: Completion of a Board-approved radiography (or applicable nuclear medicine/radiation therapy) training program.
• National certification: Current ARRT certification (or NMTCB certification for nuclear medicine technologists), verified by the Board directly with the credentialing organization.
• Application disclosures: The application requires disclosure of any criminal convictions and any prior professional licensing discipline or denial. The reviewed sources do not clearly identify a fingerprint-based background check for the standard initial application; a BCI check is referenced only in the Board’s Military Expedition Form, as a requirement “unless required in the initial license application.”
• Identity/tax documentation: A Social Security number and a signed tax affidavit (confirming no outstanding Rhode Island tax liability) are required as part of the application.
• Endorsement applicants: Must have license verification sent directly from every state in which they hold or have held a license, using the Board’s Interstate Verification Form.

How to Apply

1. Download the application packet from RIDOH’s Source: Radiographer, Nuclear Medicine Technologist, and Radiation Therapist application PDF.
2. Complete the application by typing or block printing (felt-tip pens are not accepted), and indicate whether you are applying by Examination, Endorsement, or Graduate Status.
3. Attach a check or money order — non-refundable, payable to “RI General Treasurer” — for the correct fee tier (Radiographer $60; Nuclear Medicine Technologist or Radiation Therapist $85) to the upper left-hand corner of the first page.
4. If applying by endorsement, arrange for each state where you hold or have held a license to send verification directly to the Board using the Interstate Verification Form included in the packet.
5. If applying as a recent graduate, arrange for your school to send an official transcript directly to the Board — student copies are not accepted.
6. Mail the complete packet to: Rhode Island Board of Radiologic Technology, Room 104, 3 Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908-5097.
7. The Board will verify your ARRT or NMTCB certification directly with the credentialing organization; if it cannot confirm your certification online, it will contact you for additional proof.
8. Completed applications remain valid for one year from the date RIDOH receives them — if you are not licensed within that year, you must submit a new application.

Relevant Statutes

• Source: 216-RICR-40-05-34 — Licensing of Radiographers, Nuclear Medicine Technologists, and Radiation Therapists (Board regulation).
• Source: R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-68.1 — “Radiologic Technologists” (enabling statute).
• Source: 216-RICR-10-05-2 — Department of Health fee schedule, Radiologic Technology section.
• Source: RIDOH Radiologic Technologists licensing page — official operational guidance, forms, and contact information.

Related Pages

• Rhode Island RT License Renewal
• Massachusetts RT Licensing
• Connecticut RT Licensing

FAQ

Does Rhode Island require a state license for radiologic technologists?

Yes. Rhode Island requires a license issued by the Board of Radiologic Technology to practice as a radiologic technologist (radiographer), nuclear medicine technologist, or radiation therapist. Source: 216-RICR-40-05-34, § 34.3

Does Rhode Island require a separate state exam?

No. Rhode Island requires current ARRT certification (or NMTCB certification for nuclear medicine technologists) and does not administer its own licensing examination. Source: 216-RICR-40-05-34, § 34.4

Can I apply for a Rhode Island radiologic technologist license online?

No. RIDOH’s official licensing page offers online processing only for renewals, through the RI MyLicense portal; initial applications must be submitted by mail with a paper form and payment. Source: RIDOH Radiologic Technologists licensing page

How much does an initial Rhode Island radiographer license cost?

The application fee is $60 for a Radiographer license, and $85 for Nuclear Medicine Technologist or Radiation Therapist licenses. Source: 216-RICR-10-05-2, Radiologic Technology fee schedule

Is there a temporary license for new graduates awaiting ARRT results?

Yes. Rhode Island offers Graduate Status licensure for applicants who have completed an approved training program and are awaiting examination results, selectable directly on the standard application form. Source: Radiographer application packet, RIDOH

Is Rhode Island part of an interstate compact for radiologic technologists?

No. No interstate compact for radiologic technologists currently exists nationally, and Rhode Island’s regulation does not reference compact membership. Source: 216-RICR-40-05-34

Can I work in Rhode Island with only ARRT certification, without a Rhode Island license?

No. Holding ARRT certification alone does not authorize practice in Rhode Island — a Rhode Island license issued by the Board of Radiologic Technology is required before practicing, even for technologists who already hold current ARRT certification. Source: 216-RICR-40-05-34, § 34.3