Washington Radiologic Technologist Certification Renewal Guide

Washington State Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist certifications renew on a biennial cycle, with expiration tied to the credential holder’s birthday rather than a fixed statewide date. See the At-a-Glance table above for current fees, renewal window, and payment options.

Washington is one of a small number of states where the Department of Health imposes no continuing education requirement for radiologic technologist certification renewal. Per Washington DOH sources reviewed May 2026:

CE Requirements for Washington Certification Renewal

Washington State imposes no continuing education requirement for renewal of a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist certification. This is confirmed directly from Washington DOH sources reviewed May 2026.

Two important caveats for working RTs:

• ARRT CE requirements remain independent — and structurally important: While Washington does not require CE for state certification renewal, ARRT still requires 24 CE credits every two years to maintain active ARRT registration. Because active ARRT registration is the standard qualifying credential for Washington certification, letting your ARRT lapse due to CE non-compliance could compromise your underlying qualification. Maintain your ARRT standing even though Washington itself does not collect CE documentation at renewal.
• Federal MQSA CE requirements apply for mammography: If your practice includes mammography, federal MQSA requirements impose independent CE obligations regardless of Washington’s state renewal policy.

How to Renew Your Washington Radiologic Technologist Certification

Washington certifications expire on your birthday every two years. Renewal may be submitted within 90 days before your expiration date. Renewal presented or postmarked after midnight on your expiration date is automatically considered late and subject to the $50 late penalty fee.

Online renewal (HELMS portal):

1. Log in to your Secure Access Washington (SAW) account and access the HELMS portal
2. Navigate to your certification renewal application
3. Complete the renewal application — no CE documentation required
4. Pay the $105 renewal fee online via credit/debit card or eCheck; all fees nonrefundable per WAC 246-12-340
5. If renewing after your expiration date, pay the additional $50 late renewal penalty

Paper renewal:

1. Download the renewal application from the Washington DOH RT certification page
2. Complete and submit by mail with check or money order payment

Expired Certification Reactivation

If your Washington certification has expired, reactivation may require an Expired Credential Activation process rather than standard late renewal. An $80 expired certificate reissuance fee applies based on the Washington DOH fee schedule (WAC 246-926-990) reviewed May 2026. Contact Washington DOH at hsqa.csc@doh.wa.gov or 360-236-4700 to confirm your current renewal or reactivation pathway before attempting to renew an expired certification online. Do not practice radiologic technology with an expired Washington certification.

Practical Notes for Washington Certification Renewal

• As of May 2026, Washington DOH does not require CE — but maintain your ARRT. Washington’s no-CE policy means renewal involves paying the fee and completing the application — no CE tracking, no documentation. However, because ARRT registration is the standard qualifying credential, keeping your ARRT CE current is still structurally important even though Washington doesn’t require it at renewal.
• Your expiration date is your birthday — track it carefully. Washington ties certification expiration to the credential holder’s birthday, not a fixed statewide date. Every RT in Washington has a different expiration date. Know your specific birthday-based expiration date and don’t confuse it with your original certification issue date.
• Renew within 90 days before your birthday. Washington allows renewal submission up to 90 days before your expiration date. Use this window — submitting early removes deadline pressure and avoids the $50 late penalty.
• No grace period after expiration. Washington is strict — renewal presented or postmarked after midnight on your expiration date is automatically late. There is no grace window after expiration. If you miss your birthday deadline, you owe the $50 late penalty plus the standard $105 renewal fee.
• Expired certification may require a separate process. If your certification remains expired beyond the normal renewal window, standard late renewal may not apply — the Expired Credential Activation process and $80 reissuance fee may apply. Contact DOH at hsqa.csc@doh.wa.gov before attempting to renew an expired credential online.
• Washington certification and ARRT renewal are separate systems. Washington not requiring CE does not affect your ARRT maintenance requirements. You still need 24 ARRT CE credits every two years to keep ARRT registration active — that’s an ARRT obligation, not a Washington one.
• Travel RTs: build your birthday deadline into your assignment calendar. If your Washington certification expires mid-assignment, you need to renew before your birthday. The 90-day renewal window gives you lead time — don’t wait until your birthday month to start the process.

Related Pages

• Washington Radiologic Technologist Certification — Initial Requirements and Application
• Oregon Radiologic Technologist Requirements
• California Radiologic Technologist Certification Renewal
• Radiologic Technologist Licensing by State — Complete Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do I need to renew my Washington radiologic technologist certification?

Washington Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist certifications renew every two years. Your certification expires on your birthday — the expiration date is birthday-based, not a fixed statewide date. Source: Washington DOH Radiologic Technologist Certification

Does Washington require continuing education for certification renewal?

No. Per Washington DOH sources reviewed May 2026: “There are no continuing education requirements.” ARRT CE requirements and federal MQSA mandates still apply independently — but Washington State itself imposes no CE obligation for renewal. Source: Washington DOH Radiologic Technologist Certification

What is the Washington certification renewal fee?

The renewal fee is $105, nonrefundable per WAC 246-12-340. A $50 late renewal penalty applies when renewing after expiration. Expired certificate reissuance requires an additional $80 fee. All fees confirmed from the Washington DOH fee schedule (WAC 246-926-990) reviewed May 2026. Source: Washington DOH Fee Schedule

When does my Washington radiologic technologist certification expire?

Your Washington certification expires on your birthday every two years. This is a birthday-based expiration — not a fixed statewide date. You may renew within 90 days before your expiration date. Source: Washington DOH Radiologic Technologist Certification

Is there a grace period after my Washington certification expires?

No. Renewal presented or postmarked after midnight on your expiration date is automatically considered late and subject to the $50 late renewal penalty. If your certification remains expired beyond the normal renewal window, contact Washington DOH at hsqa.csc@doh.wa.gov or 360-236-4700 to determine your current reactivation options — the Expired Credential Activation process and $80 reissuance fee may apply. Source: Washington DOH Radiologic Technologist Certification

How do I renew my Washington radiologic technologist certification?

Renewal is available online via the HELMS portal through your Secure Access Washington (SAW) account, or by paper. No CE documentation is required. Pay the $105 renewal fee online by credit/debit card or eCheck, or by check/money order for paper renewal. Source: Washington DOH Radiologic Technologist Certification