California Radiologic Technology Certificate Renewal Requirements 2026
- California CRT holders approaching their renewal date
- Travel RTs holding a California CRT who need to renew
- RTs whose California certificate has lapsed and need to understand reinstatement options
California CRT Renewal — At a Glance
| Renewal Cycle | Biennial (every 2 years) |
| Renewal Fee | Approximately $104 per category as of May 2026 |
| Late Renewal Fee | Approximately $120 per category if expired within 6 months; approximately $224 per category if expired within 5 years |
| Renewal Method | Mail only — renewal application + fee + CE documentation |
| Renewal Notice | Billing notice mailed approximately 90 days before expiration |
| CE Hours Required | 24 CEC related to application of X-ray to the human body |
| Digital Radiography CE | 4 of 24 CEC must be specific to digital radiography — required for all CRTs |
| ARRT CE Accepted | Yes — but California expiration date may differ from ARRT biennium date |
| ASRT CE Caution | Only ASRT courses specifically designated as “California credits” are accepted |
California CRTs renew on a biennial (every two years) cycle. According to CDPH-RHB, renewal billing notices are mailed approximately 90 days before your certificate expiration date. Renewal requires submitting a renewal application, renewal fee, and evidence of completing continuing education credits (CEC) by US mail — there is no online renewal system. Renew before your expiration date to avoid late renewal fees.
California CRT Renewal Fees
All fees are specified in California regulation (Title 17, California Code of Regulations) and are non-refundable. Based on sources reviewed in May 2026:
- Standard renewal fee: Approximately $104 per certificate category
- Late renewal — expired within 6 months: Approximately $120 per category
- Late renewal — expired within 5 years: Approximately $224 per category
Fees apply per certificate category — if you hold both Diagnostic and Therapeutic CRTs, renewal fees apply separately to each. Verify current fee amounts on your renewal billing notice or directly with CDPH-RHB before submitting payment.
CE Requirements for California CRT Renewal
According to CDPH-RHB, every two years CRT holders must submit a renewal application, renewal fee, and evidence of completing continuing education credits (CEC) via US mail. Requirements are established under Title 17, California Code of Regulations section 30403.
CE requirements for Certified Radiologic Technologists (CRTs):
- 24 CEC related to the application of X-ray to the human body
- 4 of 24 CEC must be specific to digital radiography — required for all CRTs
- For Fluoroscopy permit holders: 4 of 24 CEC must be specific to radiation safety for clinical uses of fluoroscopy
- For Mammography certificate holders: 10 of 24 CEC must be specific to mammography
Acceptable CE sources:
- CE must be accepted for credentialing purposes by one of the following: ARRT (including ARRT RCEEMs), Medical Board of California, Osteopathic Medical Board of California, California Board of Chiropractic Examiners, or Board of Podiatric Medicine
- All CE must have been completed in the 24 months immediately preceding the expiration date of your certificate
- CE content must cover the application of X-ray to the human body — topics such as CPR, MRI, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, billing, and stress management are not accepted
Important CE cautions:
How to Renew Your California CRT
- Watch for your renewal billing notice — CDPH-RHB mails it approximately 90 days before your expiration date
- If you did not receive your billing notice, use the special renewal application available from CDPH-RHB
- Complete the renewal application with current information
- Gather evidence of your 24 CEC including the required digital radiography credits
- Prepare payment of the renewal fee by check or money order — no online payments accepted
- Mail completed renewal application, CE evidence, and payment to CDPH-RHB before your expiration date
Practical Notes for California CRT Renewal
- Mail-only renewal adds processing time. California has no online renewal system. Factor in mail delivery time on both ends when planning your renewal submission — don’t wait until the last week before expiration to mail your renewal.
- Your California expiration date is not your ARRT renewal date. This is one of the most common California CE compliance mistakes. Your ARRT biennium and California certificate cycle may be on completely different schedules. Know your California expiration date specifically.
- Digital radiography CE is mandatory for all CRTs. Regardless of your specialty or practice setting, 4 of your 24 required CEC must specifically cover digital radiography. Plan your CE with this requirement in mind — don’t wait until renewal time to find compliant courses.
- ASRT courses need to be California-designated. If you use ASRT courses for CE, only those specifically designated as “California credits” count. Check course listings carefully before completing CE you intend to use for California renewal.
- Late renewal fees escalate significantly. Renewing after your expiration date costs approximately $120 per category instead of $104 — and if expired more than 6 months, the fee jumps to approximately $224 per category. Renew on time.
- Travel RTs: California certificates are category-specific. Your renewal fee and CE applies per certificate category. If you hold multiple California certificates, each renews separately.
- Don’t rely on the billing notice arriving. If you’ve moved and haven’t updated your address with CDPH-RHB, your billing notice may not arrive. Your expiration date doesn’t change. Update your address within 30 days of any move using form CDPH 8391.
Related Pages
- California Radiologic Technology Certificate — Initial Licensing
- Ohio Radiologic Technologist License Renewal
- Texas Medical Radiologic Technologist Certificate Renewal
- Radiologic Technologist Licensing by State — Complete Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do I need to renew my California CRT?
California CRTs renew every two years (biennial cycle). Renewal billing notices are mailed approximately 90 days before your expiration date. Source: CDPH-RHB
What is the California CRT renewal fee?
Based on sources reviewed in May 2026, the standard renewal fee is approximately $104 per certificate category. Late renewal fees are higher — approximately $120 per category if expired within 6 months, and approximately $224 per category if expired within 5 years. Verify current fees on your renewal billing notice or directly with CDPH-RHB. Source: CDPH-RHB
How many CE hours are required for California CRT renewal?
CRT holders must complete 24 CEC related to the application of X-ray to the human body during the two-year renewal period. At least 4 of those 24 CEC must be specific to digital radiography. Requirements are established under 17 CCR section 30403. Source: CDPH-RHB
Does my ARRT CE satisfy California’s renewal requirements?
ARRT CE is accepted for California renewal purposes, provided the CE covers the application of X-ray to the human body and was completed in the 24 months immediately preceding your California certificate expiration date. Your ARRT biennium expiration date may differ from your California expiration date — track both separately. Source: CDPH-RHB
Can I renew my California CRT online?
As of May 2026, California CRT renewals must be submitted by mail. There is no online renewal system. Payment must be by check or money order. Source: CDPH-RHB
What happens if I miss my California CRT renewal deadline?
Late renewal fees apply immediately after expiration. Based on sources reviewed in May 2026, fees are approximately $120 per category if expired within 6 months, and approximately $224 per category if expired within 5 years. Contact CDPH-RHB directly to determine current reinstatement options if your certificate has expired. Source: CDPH-RHB