How to Get Your Radiologic Technologist License in Arkansas (2026)

## How to Become a Licensed Radiologic Technologist in Arkansas Radiologic technologists in Arkansas perform X-rays, fluoroscopy, CT, MRI, mammography, and nuclear medicine imaging in hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, and specialty clinics throughout Little Rock, Fayetteville, and across the state. Arkansas requires ARRT certification and a state-issued license through the Arkansas Department of Health before you may legally practice as a radiologic technologist. ### Step 1: Complete a JRCERT-Accredited Radiologic Technology Program Your educational foundation must be a program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). The standard pathway is a two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology. A Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology (BSRT) is also available and provides a stronger foundation for CT, MRI, and leadership roles. JRCERT-accredited programs in Arkansas include those at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Baptist Health College Little Rock, and other hospital-based programs. All programs include supervised clinical rotations with required competency evaluations in positioning, technique, image evaluation, and patient care. Confirm your program's active JRCERT accreditation status before enrolling. ### Step 2: Earn Your ARRT Certification The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) issues the nationally recognized primary credential: **R.T.(R) — Radiographer**, covering general X-ray and fluoroscopy. ARRT exam details: - Fee: approximately $225 - Format: computer-based, approximately 3 hours - Eligibility requires JRCERT graduation and ethics review After R.T.(R), specialty credentials include R.T.(CT) for CT, R.T.(MR) for MRI, R.T.(M) for mammography, and R.T.(NM) for nuclear medicine. Specialty credentials improve both marketability and earning potential in Arkansas. ARRT requires **24 CE credits every two years** to maintain your registration, universally regardless of state. ### Step 3: Apply for Your Arkansas License The licensing authority in Arkansas is the **Radiation Control Section of the Arkansas Department of Health**. A valid state license is required before you begin independent practice. Requirements: - Completed application to the Arkansas Department of Health Radiation Control Section - License fee (typically $50–$75; verify the current fee with the agency) - Proof of ARRT R.T.(R) certification - Proof of JRCERT-accredited program completion - Criminal background check - Additional permits or documentation may be required for operators performing fluoroscopy or CT in certain clinical contexts Renew your license as required by the Department of Health to maintain uninterrupted practice authorization. ### Continuing Education Requirements Arkansas aligns with ARRT's 24 CE per two-year cycle standard, so meeting ARRT's CE renewal requirement generally satisfies the state's ongoing requirement as well. CE can be earned through ASRT online courses, accredited conferences, vendor-sponsored webinars on ARRT's approved list, and JRCERT workshops. Always verify current CE requirements directly with the Arkansas Department of Health Radiation Control Section, as rule changes can occur between licensing cycles. ### Radiologic Technologist Specializations in Arkansas Arkansas's healthcare market is anchored by Little Rock's academic and regional hospital systems, with growing outpatient demand in Northwest Arkansas (Fayetteville, Rogers, Bentonville): - **CT Technologist (R.T.(CT)):** High-priority modality at every Arkansas acute care hospital; trauma, emergency, and oncology drive volume. - **MRI Technologist (R.T.(MR)):** Growing demand in Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas markets; orthopedic and neurology outpatient imaging are active. - **Mammography (R.T.(M)):** Women's health programs at UAMS, Baptist Health, and regional hospitals; 3D tomosynthesis is increasingly the standard of care. - **Interventional Radiology:** Cath lab and IR positions at UAMS and Arkansas Children's pay at the top of the RT range in the state. - **Nuclear Medicine (R.T.(NM)):** UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute and other oncology programs drive PET/CT demand. ### Arkansas Radiologic Technologist Salary Ranges Arkansas wages reflect a lower cost-of-living market in the mid-South: - **General radiographer (R.T.(R)):** $50,000–$65,000 - **CT technologist:** $60,000–$78,000 - **MRI technologist:** $63,000–$82,000 - **Interventional radiology tech:** $68,000–$90,000+ - **Travel/contract RT:** $45–$60 per hour; rural Arkansas facilities rely on travel techs for staffing gaps Northwest Arkansas wages in the Walmart/Tyson corporate hub market have risen faster than statewide averages due to the growth of employer-sponsored healthcare. ### Top Employers for Radiologic Technologists in Arkansas - **UAMS (University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock):** Arkansas's academic medical center and Level 1 trauma center; the state's most comprehensive imaging department - **Arkansas Children's Hospital (Little Rock):** Pediatric imaging with specialty MRI and fluoroscopy; growing campus network - **Baptist Health (Little Rock and statewide):** The state's largest not-for-profit health system with multiple campuses - **CHI St. Vincent Health (Little Rock and Hot Springs):** Major system with active imaging across Central Arkansas - **Washington Regional Medical Center (Fayetteville):** Primary employer in Northwest Arkansas - **Mercy Health (Rogers/Berryville):** Northwest Arkansas division of the Mercy system - **VA Medical Center (Little Rock and Fayetteville):** Federal employer with stable imaging positions - **Outpatient imaging centers:** Regional radiology group-affiliated sites and independent imaging centers in Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas - **Mobile imaging companies:** Serve long-term care facilities across rural Arkansas