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

How to Become a Licensed Radiologic Technologist in Florida

Florida requires radiologic technologists to hold an active state license before practicing clinically. Licensure is administered by the Florida Department of Health (FDOH), Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) division, through the Radiologic Technology section. Florida is one of the highest-volume imaging states in the United States — driven by its large elderly population, strong medical tourism sector, and year-round high patient volumes at major hospital systems. Getting licensed here opens access to one of the most active and diverse RT job markets in the country.

Florida has notable state-specific CE requirements that distinguish it from most other states — understanding those requirements before your first renewal is critical.

Step 1: Complete a JRCERT-Accredited Program

Florida's state licensure requires graduation from a JRCERT-accredited radiologic technology program. Florida has an extensive in-state program network, including programs at Valencia College, Broward College, Hillsborough Community College, Palm Beach State College, Miami Dade College, Santa Fe College, and many others across the state. Florida's community college system is particularly strong in allied health education, making in-state training accessible in most regions.

The standard entry credential is an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology. A Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology (BSRT) is preferred for leadership roles and specialty positions at Florida's large academic and corporate health systems such as AdventHealth and HCA Florida. Florida's high imaging volume means experienced RTs with additional credentials and BSRT degrees move up quickly at major facilities.

Step 2: Earn Your ARRT Certification

Florida state licensure requires ARRT certification — an active R.T.(R) credential is a prerequisite for the state application. The ARRT pathway:

• Complete your JRCERT-accredited program and receive program director graduation verification
• Submit your ARRT application, pass the ethics review, and pay the examination fee
• Pass the ARRT Radiography examination (200 scored questions, Pearson VUE testing centers)
• Receive your R.T.(R) credential from ARRT

Specialty ARRT certifications are highly valued in Florida's large imaging market. CT (R.T.(CT)) and MRI (R.T.(MR)) command significant pay premiums at Florida's major health systems. Mammography (R.T.(M)) is in particular demand given Florida's large female population over 40. Interventional and cardiac certifications are sought at Florida's cardiac care centers — Florida has some of the highest cardiac procedure volumes in the US. ARRT requires 24 CE credits every two years to maintain any credential.

Step 3: Apply for Your Florida State License

With your ARRT credential active, apply for your Florida Radiologic Technologist license through the FDOH MQA online portal:

1. Create or log in to your MQA Online Services account at the FDOH website
2. Complete the Radiologic Technologist license application, selecting the appropriate certification type (Radiographer, Limited, or other applicable category)
3. Authorize ARRT to transmit your certification verification directly to FDOH MQA
4. Pay the application fee — typically in the range of $75 to $100 (verify current fee on the FDOH MQA website; Florida fees are set by statute and may change)
5. Complete any required background screening (Florida requires Level II fingerprint-based background checks for healthcare licensure)
6. Await FDOH MQA review and issuance of your Florida RT license number

Florida RT licenses renew biennially (every two years). Renewal requires completion of 24 CE credits including Florida-specific mandatory topics (see below), active ARRT credential status, and payment of the renewal fee.

Continuing Education Requirements

Florida's CE requirements are more specific than most states, and failure to complete the mandatory topics will result in license denial at renewal. Florida requires 24 CE credits per two-year renewal cycle, consistent with ARRT — but the state mandates that specific topics be included:

• Medical Errors Prevention: Florida Statute requires healthcare licensees to complete CE in the prevention of medical errors (typically 2 hours). This is a hard requirement — not optional.
• Domestic Violence Awareness: Florida law requires 1 hour of domestic violence CE for healthcare licensees, covering recognition and appropriate response.
• HIV/AIDS (applicable to certain healthcare roles): Some Florida healthcare license categories require HIV/AIDS CE — verify whether this applies to your specific RT license type at the time of renewal.
• Remaining credits: The balance of CE can be general radiology CE through ARRT-approved or ASRT-approved providers.

Florida RTs must retain documentation of all CE completion for a minimum of four years in case of audit. ARRT's CE Tracker can be used for the radiology-specific portion, but Florida-mandatory topic completions must be documented separately and submitted through the MQA online renewal portal.

Radiologic Technologist Specializations in Florida

Florida's imaging market is one of the most active and diverse in the United States:

• CT (R.T.(CT)): The dominant specialty demand driver; Florida's trauma volume (motor vehicle crashes, water/boating accidents, fall injuries in elderly patients) keeps CT suites at maximum utilization
• MRI (R.T.(MR)): Growing rapidly across both inpatient and outpatient markets; Florida's large population of patients with chronic conditions drives high MRI volumes
• Mammography (R.T.(M)): One of Florida's highest-volume imaging specialties; Florida's large female population over 50 creates extraordinary screening mammography demand, particularly at AdventHealth and HCA Florida breast health programs
• Cardiac/Interventional (R.T.(CI) or R.T.(VI)): Florida's elderly population makes it one of the highest-volume cardiac catheterization states in the country; Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, and Miami all have large interventional programs
• Radiation Therapy (R.T.(T)): Florida's high cancer incidence rates (particularly among older adults) drive strong radiation therapy demand at cancer centers statewide
• Travel RT (seasonal surge markets): Florida's snowbird season (November–April) creates predictable high-volume surges at Naples, Fort Myers, Sarasota, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach facilities; travel RTs are actively recruited for winter contracts
• Nuclear Medicine / PET: Active programs at Florida's cancer centers and academic medical centers

Florida Salary Ranges

Florida offers competitive RT salaries, especially in its major metro markets. While the state has no income tax, cost of living varies significantly by region.

• General Radiographer (Tampa / Orlando / Jacksonville): $58,000 – $82,000/year
• General Radiographer (Miami / Fort Lauderdale): $62,000 – $88,000/year (South Florida cost of living premium)
• CT Technologist: $70,000 – $92,000/year statewide; $75,000 – $100,000+ in South Florida
• MRI Technologist: $72,000 – $95,000/year; premium in Miami and Orlando markets
• Cardiac/Interventional: $78,000 – $105,000+/year at major Florida cardiac programs
• Naples / Southwest FL (NCH, Lee Health, seasonal): $65,000 – $90,000/year permanent; travel winter contracts $52 – $70/hour with stipends
• Travel RT (Florida winter contracts): $48 – $68/hour with housing stipend; premium rates during November–April surge season

Top Employers

• AdventHealth (Orlando / Statewide) — One of the largest health systems in Florida by hospital count; major imaging programs in Orlando, Tampa Bay, Daytona Beach, and Central Florida; strong CT/MRI/mammography staffing demand
• HCA Florida (Healthcare Corporation of America) — Largest hospital operator in Florida by volume; dozens of hospitals and imaging centers across all major Florida markets; consistent high-volume RT hiring
• BayCare Health System (Tampa Bay Area) — 15-hospital system serving the greater Tampa Bay region including St. Pete, Clearwater, Largo, and Brandon; one of Tampa Bay's dominant employers for RTs
• Jackson Health System (Miami-Dade) — Miami's academic public health system and Level I trauma center; one of the highest-complexity imaging environments in the state with active specialty RT programs
• NCH Healthcare System (Naples) — Premier Southwest Florida health system with two hospitals and an expanding imaging network; strong winter surge demand
• Lee Health (Fort Myers / Cape Coral) — Four-hospital system serving Lee County and Southwest Florida; significant CT/MRI and mammography programs
• Baptist Health South Florida (Miami / Brickell) — Premium South Florida employer with strong cardiac and cancer imaging programs
• UF Health / Shands (Gainesville / Jacksonville) — Academic medical center with high imaging complexity and active specialty RT training programs
• Sarasota Memorial Health Care System (Sarasota) — Major Southwest Florida employer with award-winning imaging programs and strong seasonal staffing needs