Minnesota Radiologic Technologist License Requirements — What You Need to Know
- ARRT-credentialed radiologic technologists considering Minnesota assignments or employment
- Travel RTs researching whether a separate state credential is required before accepting a Minnesota contract
- Limited-scope or bone densitometry operators who need Minnesota state registration
Minnesota Radiologic Technologist Requirements — At a Glance
| Individual RT License Required? | No individual state RT license identified for ARRT-credentialed radiologic technologists in Minnesota sources reviewed May 2026 — Minnesota does not maintain a traditional state RT licensure program for fully credentialed radiographers |
| Radiation Oversight | Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Radiation Control, X-ray Unit — administers facility registration and limited-scope operator registration |
| ARRT Credential | Active ARRT radiography credential accepted within Minnesota’s X-ray operator qualification framework under Minnesota Statutes §144.121 — no additional state registration required for ARRT holders |
| State Registration Required For | Limited Scope X-ray Operators (LSXO) and Bone Densitometry Equipment Operators (BDEO) who do not hold full ARRT credentials — $25 MDH fee + $150 ARRT exam fee |
| LSXO/BDEO Registration Fee | $25 MDH state processing fee (cashier’s check or money order only — no personal checks accepted) + $150 ARRT examination fee paid separately to ARRT |
| LSXO/BDEO Renewal | No individual renewal cycle identified in MDH materials reviewed May 2026 — MDH does not appear to publish an individual expiration or renewal requirement for LSXO/BDEO registration; facility registration renews annually (facility obligation, not individual RT) |
| CE Requirements | No individual state CE requirement identified for ARRT holders or LSXO/BDEO registrants — ARRT CE requirements apply independently |
| Interstate Compact | No MRTC participation identified in Minnesota MDH materials reviewed May 2026 |
| Governing Authority | Minnesota Statutes §144.121; Minnesota Rules Chapter 4732 |
| Pending Legislation | No active legislation creating individual RT licensure identified in official Minnesota sources reviewed May 2026 |
Based on official Minnesota sources reviewed in May 2026, Minnesota’s MDH sources did not identify a separate individual state RT license requirement for ARRT-credentialed radiologic technologists. Minnesota’s radiation oversight operates through a facility-level registration system and a separate registration pathway for limited-scope and bone densitometry operators. Minnesota Statutes §144.121 and Minnesota Rules Chapter 4732 govern X-ray operator qualification at the facility and operator level rather than through individual RT licensure.
For travel RTs and relocating technologists, this means no individual Minnesota RT license application was identified in MDH sources reviewed, and no state processing timeline applies at the individual level for ARRT holders. The practical compliance focus in Minnesota is on employer credentialing standards and — for technologists working in limited-scope roles — understanding the LSXO or BDEO registration requirements.
What Makes Minnesota Different
Minnesota’s approach is notably clean for ARRT-credentialed radiographers: the state statute directly recognizes ARRT certification as the qualifying standard, meaning there is no parallel state credentialing system for fully credentialed RTs to navigate. The state’s regulatory focus is on facility-level X-ray equipment registration and on the limited-scope and bone densitometry operator pathways for individuals practicing outside the scope of full ARRT credentialing.
One important practical note: MDH materials reviewed May 2026 did not identify an individual expiration date or renewal requirement for the LSXO/BDEO registration. Once an operator passes the required examination and registers with MDH, no individual renewal cycle appears to apply — but verify current requirements with MDH directly. Ongoing compliance is enforced at the facility level — every Minnesota medical facility must maintain current facility and equipment registration and keep proof of its operators’ qualifications on file for state inspections.
Minnesota Employers Still Credential Independently
The absence of an individual state RT license requirement in Minnesota does not mean there are no credentialing requirements for working RTs. Employers and facilities set their own standards independently:
- Most Minnesota hospitals and imaging centers require ARRT certification as a condition of employment regardless of what MDH requires at the state level
- Facility X-ray equipment registration must be current — individual RTs work as authorized operators under their employer’s facility registration
- Staffing agencies may still reference a Minnesota “license” in contracts — they typically mean ARRT certification or employer credentialing compliance
- Confirm requirements with your specific employer or agency before assuming no documentation is needed
For ARRT-Credentialed Radiologic Technologists
Based on Minnesota MDH sources reviewed May 2026, no individual Minnesota RT license application was identified for ARRT holders. This means:
- No individual Minnesota RT license application was identified for ARRT holders in sources reviewed May 2026
- No individual application fee was identified at the individual RT level for ARRT holders
- No individual state renewal cycle was identified for ARRT holders
- No individual state CE requirement was identified — ARRT CE obligations apply independently through ARRT’s own renewal framework
- Employer credentialing standards apply independently — most Minnesota facilities require active ARRT certification as a hiring standard regardless of what MDH requires
Limited Scope X-ray Operator (LSXO) and Bone Densitometry Equipment Operator (BDEO) Registration
For individuals practicing limited-scope radiography or bone densitometry without full ARRT credentials, Minnesota requires registration with MDH after passing the applicable ARRT-administered examination. Per MDH sources reviewed May 2026:
LSXO Registration
- Must complete an MDH-approved Limited Scope X-ray operator educational course covering radiation safety, physics, equipment operation, and anatomical positioning
- Must pass the applicable ARRT-administered limited scope examination module
- MDH state processing fee: $25 — payable by cashier’s check or money order only; personal and business checks are not accepted by MDH
- ARRT examination fee: $150 paid separately to ARRT (credit card, debit card, or gift card)
- Application submitted by mail — no online application available for individual LSXO registration per MDH sources reviewed May 2026
- Applicants must complete the ARRT examination within the timeframe specified by MDH after application approval — verify current scheduling requirements with MDH
- No individual renewal cycle or renewal fee identified in MDH materials reviewed May 2026 — MDH does not publish an individual expiration or renewal requirement for LSXO/BDEO registration
BDEO Registration
- Same fee structure as LSXO — $25 MDH fee + $150 ARRT exam fee
- Must complete MDH-approved bone densitometry operator educational course
- Must pass applicable ARRT-administered bone densitometry examination
- No individual renewal cycle or renewal fee identified in MDH materials reviewed May 2026 — MDH does not publish an individual expiration or renewal requirement for LSXO/BDEO registration
Scope restrictions for LSXO/BDEO operators
Limited Scope X-ray Operators and Bone Densitometry Equipment Operators are specifically restricted by Minnesota law from operating fluoroscopic equipment, computed tomography (CT), cone beam CT (CBCT), or mammography equipment. Federal MQSA requirements govern mammography practice regardless of state registration status. Verify current scope restrictions with MDH before performing any procedure outside your registration scope.
Practical Notes for Working Radiologic Technologists
- No individual state license identified — but confirm with your employer. Minnesota does not appear to require a separate individual RT license for ARRT holders. However, your employer sets its own credentialing standards. Confirm requirements with your specific employer or staffing agency before assuming no documentation is needed.
- Travel RTs: fewer state-level compliance steps. Without an individual state license application, fee, or processing timeline to manage, Minnesota assignments have fewer compliance steps than licensed states. Your ARRT certification and employer credentialing are the primary focus.
- LSXO/BDEO: cashier’s check or money order only for MDH. MDH does not accept personal or business checks for LSXO/BDEO registration fees — only cashier’s checks or money orders. Plan your payment method before mailing your application.
- LSXO/BDEO: 90-day exam window after MDH clearance. Once MDH processes your LSXO/BDEO application and clears you with ARRT, you have 90 days to schedule and sit for the examination. Don’t delay scheduling after receiving clearance.
- LSXO/BDEO: no individual renewal requirement identified. MDH materials reviewed May 2026 did not identify an individual expiration date or renewal requirement for LSXO/BDEO registration. However, your employer’s facility registration must remain current — verify current registration status requirements with MDH.
- Watch for legislative changes. Minnesota’s current framework could change if individual RT licensure is enacted. Monitor state-level developments if you work in Minnesota regularly. Legislative status last checked: May 24, 2026.
Related Pages
- Wisconsin Radiologic Technologist Requirements
- North Carolina Radiologic Technologist Requirements
- Colorado Radiologic Technologist Requirements
- Radiologic Technologist Licensing by State — Complete Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Minnesota state license to work as a radiologic technologist?
No individual state RT license was identified as required for ARRT-credentialed radiologic technologists in Minnesota sources reviewed May 2026. Minnesota Statutes §144.121 recognizes active ARRT radiography certification as qualifying to operate medical X-ray equipment — no additional state registration is required for ARRT holders. Source: Minnesota Department of Health X-ray Program
Does Minnesota require ARRT certification for radiologic technologists?
Minnesota’s MDH X-ray operator rules identify ARRT radiography certification as one accepted qualification pathway for operating medical X-ray equipment. No additional individual state registration was identified for ARRT holders in MDH sources reviewed May 2026. Most Minnesota employers require ARRT certification as a condition of employment independently. Source: Minnesota Department of Health X-ray Program
Can I work in Minnesota as a travel RT without a state license?
Based on MDH sources reviewed May 2026, no individual state RT license was identified as required for ARRT-credentialed technologists practicing standard medical radiography in Minnesota. Confirm employer and facility credentialing requirements with your staffing agency before starting any Minnesota assignment. Source: Minnesota Department of Health X-ray Program
What is the Minnesota Limited Scope X-ray Operator registration fee?
The MDH state processing fee is $25, payable by cashier’s check or money order only — MDH does not accept personal or business checks. A separate $150 ARRT examination fee is paid directly to ARRT. Verify current fees with MDH before submitting. Source: Minnesota Department of Health X-ray Program
Does the Minnesota LSXO registration expire?
No individual renewal cycle or renewal fee was identified for Minnesota LSXO or BDEO registration in MDH materials reviewed May 2026. MDH does not appear to publish an individual expiration or renewal requirement for these registrations — verify current requirements with MDH directly. Ongoing compliance is enforced at the facility level through annual facility and equipment registration. Source: Minnesota Department of Health X-ray Program
What regulation governs radiologic technology practice in Minnesota?
Minnesota radiologic technology requirements are governed by Minnesota Statutes §144.121 and Minnesota Rules Chapter 4732, administered by the Minnesota Department of Health Radiation Control X-ray Unit. Source: Minnesota Department of Health X-ray Program
How do I contact the Minnesota MDH X-ray Unit?
Minnesota Department of Health Radiation Control X-ray Unit: Phone 651-201-4545; Email health.xray@state.mn.us. Source: Minnesota Department of Health X-ray Program