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

How to Become a Licensed Radiologic Technologist in Kentucky

Kentucky requires radiologic technologists to hold a state license issued by the Kentucky Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (KBMIRT), a dedicated state board that oversees radiation technologists, radiologist assistants, and radiation therapists. Both ARRT certification and a valid KBMIRT license are required before you can legally practice in Kentucky. The board enforces both initial licensure and biennial renewal.

Kentucky's healthcare landscape includes urban centers in Louisville and Lexington, mid-size markets in Bowling Green, Owensboro, and Paducah, and a large rural Appalachian footprint in eastern Kentucky. The Appalachian region generates significant demand for radiologic technologists willing to work in underserved communities, with strong travel RT opportunities as well.

Step 1: Complete a JRCERT-Accredited Radiologic Technology Program

Kentucky requires graduation from a JRCERT-accredited radiologic technology program. The most common entry path is a two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology. A BSRT is also available and preferred at University of Kentucky HealthCare and academic facilities in Louisville.

Kentucky JRCERT-accredited programs include Jefferson Community and Technical College (Louisville), Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, Hazard Community and Technical College (serving eastern Kentucky), West Kentucky Community and Technical College, and Eastern Kentucky University. Programs serving Appalachian Kentucky play an important role in supplying rural hospitals with imaging staff.

Step 2: Earn Your ARRT Certification

KBMIRT requires current ARRT certification as a prerequisite for state licensure. The primary credential is R.T.(R) — Registered Technologist in Radiography. After completing your JRCERT program and documenting clinical competencies, apply for the ARRT exam (approximately $225 fee) at a Prometric testing center.

Kentucky technologists commonly pursue R.T.(CT), R.T.(MR), R.T.(M), and R.T.(NM) specialty certifications. CT is particularly in demand statewide. Nuclear medicine technologists can also seek NMTCB certification. All ARRT credentials require 24 CE credits per two-year cycle to maintain.

Step 3: Apply for Your Kentucky KBMIRT License

After receiving ARRT certification, submit your KBMIRT license application. The application requires ARRT certification documentation, educational program verification, and the state license fee (approximately $50–$75 as of 2026). Processing time for new applications is typically four to six weeks.

KBMIRT licenses are renewed biennially. Renewal requires current ARRT certification status and payment of the renewal fee. You are responsible for managing both renewal cycles — KBMIRT does not automatically confirm ARRT renewal status. Practicing without a current KBMIRT license while employed in Kentucky is a violation of state law.

Continuing Education Requirements

ARRT's 24 CE credits per two-year cycle is the governing continuing education requirement for Kentucky radiologic technologists. KBMIRT renewal is conditioned on maintaining current ARRT certification. Employers across Kentucky — particularly UK HealthCare, Norton Healthcare, and Baptist Health — routinely require annual facility-specific competency validations beyond ARRT's baseline CE requirements.

Radiologic Technologist Specializations in Kentucky

CT is the most demanded specialty in Kentucky, with high volume across both urban hospitals and rural critical access facilities. MRI is in particularly short supply at eastern and western Kentucky hospitals, making R.T.(MR) one of the most marketable credentials in the state. Mammography positions are steady, especially at Norton Breast Care Centers and Baptist Health women's health facilities.

Interventional radiology and cardiac imaging positions are concentrated at UK HealthCare (Lexington) and Norton Hospital and Jewish Hospital (Louisville). Nuclear medicine positions exist primarily at Louisville and Lexington academic medical centers. Appalachian Kentucky hospitals — Pikeville Medical Center, ARH Regional, and Harlan ARH — have persistent imaging staffing needs that travel agencies actively work to fill.

Kentucky Salary Ranges

General radiologic technologists in Kentucky earn $50,000–$70,000 annually. Louisville and Lexington positions typically pay $54,000–$74,000. CT and MRI specialists earn $61,000–$83,000. Mammography techs earn $53,000–$71,000.

Travel radiologic technologist assignments in Kentucky pay $44–$62 per hour all-in. Appalachian eastern Kentucky generates some of the highest-demand rural travel RT assignments in the Southeast. Hospitals in Pikeville, Hazard, Harlan, and Prestonsburg regularly post travel openings year-round with competitive compensation packages.

Top Employers

UK HealthCare (University of Kentucky, Lexington) is Kentucky's premier academic medical center employer. Norton Healthcare operates five Louisville hospitals and is one of the city's largest employers. Baptist Health is a major statewide system with hospitals in Louisville, Lexington, Paducah, Madisonville, Corbin, and Richmond. Jewish Hospital (part of KentuckyOne/CHI) is a major Louisville employer.

Owensboro Health and Graves Gilbert Clinic anchor the western Kentucky market. Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) operates hospitals across eastern Kentucky. The Robley Rex VA Medical Center (Louisville) and Lexington VA Health Care System are federal employers. Mobile and outpatient imaging groups serve the rural corridor between Louisville and the Virginia border.