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

How to Become a Licensed Radiologic Technologist in Iowa

Iowa requires radiologic technologists to hold an active state license administered by the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) under the Radiological Health program. State licensure is mandatory — you cannot legally perform radiologic procedures in Iowa without both a current ARRT credential and a valid Iowa state license. The license must be renewed biennially and is tied to your ARRT certification status.

Iowa's healthcare market spans a large geographic area with several mid-size urban centers — Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Davenport, and Sioux City — surrounded by a vast rural footprint. This geography creates both a robust hospital-based imaging market and exceptional demand for travel radiologic technologists in rural and critical access hospitals.

Step 1: Complete a JRCERT-Accredited Radiologic Technology Program

Graduation from a JRCERT-accredited radiologic technology program is required for Iowa licensure. The standard entry-level credential is a two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology. A Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology (BSRT) is also available and preferred at University of Iowa Health Care for certain positions.

Iowa JRCERT-accredited programs include the University of Iowa (radiologic technology and nuclear medicine technology), Des Moines Area Community College, Kirkwood Community College, Northeast Iowa Community College, and Western Iowa Tech Community College. Your program's clinical competency log is required documentation for the ARRT exam application.

Step 2: Earn Your ARRT Certification

Iowa requires current ARRT certification as a condition of state licensure. The primary entry-level credential is R.T.(R) — Registered Technologist in Radiography. After completing your JRCERT program and documenting the required clinical competencies, apply to take the ARRT exam at a Prometric testing center (approximately $225 exam fee).

Specialty certifications pursued by Iowa technologists include R.T.(CT), R.T.(MR), R.T.(M), and R.T.(NM). Each requires additional supervised clinical experience and a dedicated ARRT specialty exam. All ARRT credentials require 24 CE credits per two-year renewal cycle to maintain active status.

Step 3: Apply for Your Iowa State License

After receiving ARRT certification, apply for your Iowa state license through the IDPH Radiological Health program. The application requires proof of ARRT certification, educational program documentation, and the state license fee (approximately $50–$75 as of 2026). New license processing typically takes four to eight weeks.

Iowa licenses renew biennially. Renewal requires current ARRT certification and payment of the renewal fee. IDPH does not automatically receive ARRT status updates — you must proactively renew your Iowa license before it expires. Allowing your Iowa license to lapse while continuing to practice is a violation of Iowa law.

Continuing Education Requirements

ARRT's 24 CE credits per two-year cycle is the primary continuing education requirement for Iowa radiologic technologists. Iowa's state renewal is linked to ARRT certification status rather than imposing an independent CE hour count. Employers — particularly UnityPoint Health and MercyOne — typically layer annual facility-specific competency requirements on top of ARRT CE obligations.

Radiologic Technologist Specializations in Iowa

CT is the most demanded specialty across Iowa, present at every hospital and imaging center in the state. MRI specialists are in short supply at smaller Iowa hospitals outside Iowa City and Des Moines, making it one of the most marketable specialty credentials in the state. Mammography (R.T.(M)) positions are steady given Iowa's breast health screening infrastructure.

Interventional radiology positions are concentrated at University of Iowa Health Care and MercyOne Des Moines. Bone densitometry is a common add-on skill at outpatient women's health imaging centers. Nuclear medicine positions exist primarily at academic and large community hospitals in Iowa City, Des Moines, and Cedar Rapids.

Iowa Salary Ranges

General radiologic technologists in Iowa earn $52,000–$72,000 annually. Des Moines and Iowa City positions typically pay at the upper end of this range. CT and MRI specialists earn $62,000–$84,000. Mammography techs earn $55,000–$72,000.

Travel radiologic technologist assignments in Iowa — particularly at rural critical access hospitals — pay $45–$62 per hour all-in. Rural Iowa travel demand is consistently high year-round. Towns like Mason City, Marshalltown, Ottumwa, and Fort Dodge regularly post travel RT openings that are difficult to fill with permanent staff.

Top Employers

UnityPoint Health is Iowa's largest health system, with hospitals and clinics across Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Sioux City, and the Quad Cities. University of Iowa Health Care (Iowa City) is the state's premier academic medical center employer. MercyOne (formerly Catholic Health Initiatives and Mercy) operates hospitals across central and eastern Iowa.

CHI Health operates in western Iowa. Genesis Health System anchors the Quad Cities market. Iowa Methodist Medical Center and Iowa Lutheran Hospital (both part of UnityPoint) are major Des Moines employers. The Iowa City VA Health Care System is the major federal employer. Critical access hospitals across rural Iowa are among the most active employers of travel RTs in the Midwest.