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

How to Become a Licensed Radiologic Technologist in Louisiana

Louisiana requires radiologic technologists to hold a state license issued by the Louisiana State Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners (LSRTBE), a dedicated standalone board focused exclusively on radiologic technology licensure. Louisiana is one of only a handful of states with a dedicated RT licensing board separate from general medical boards, reflecting the state's specific regulatory focus on this profession.

Both ARRT certification and a valid LSRTBE license are required before practicing as a radiologic technologist in Louisiana. The state's healthcare market is anchored by New Orleans and Baton Rouge, with strong regional markets in Shreveport, Lafayette, and Lake Charles. Louisiana's proximity to major academic medical centers and its petrochemical industry's occupational health sector creates unique demand patterns for imaging professionals.

Step 1: Complete a JRCERT-Accredited Radiologic Technology Program

LSRTBE requires graduation from a JRCERT-accredited radiologic technology program. The primary entry credential is a two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology. A BSRT is available and valued at Louisiana's academic medical centers.

Louisiana JRCERT-accredited programs include Delgado Community College (New Orleans), Our Lady of the Lake College (Baton Rouge), Bossier Parish Community College (Shreveport area), Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (New Orleans), and Nichols State University, among others. Your program's documented clinical competency log is a required component of your ARRT exam application.

Step 2: Earn Your ARRT Certification

Louisiana requires current ARRT certification as a prerequisite for state licensure. The primary entry-level credential is R.T.(R). After completing your JRCERT program and documenting clinical competencies, apply for the ARRT exam (approximately $225 fee) at a Prometric testing center. The exam covers radiation protection, equipment operation, image production, patient care, and radiographic procedures.

Specialty certifications commonly pursued by Louisiana technologists include R.T.(CT), R.T.(MR), R.T.(M), and R.T.(NM). Louisiana's large academic medical center presence at Tulane Medical Center and LSU Health makes nuclear medicine and interventional specialties particularly viable career paths. All ARRT credentials require 24 CE credits per two-year renewal cycle.

Step 3: Apply for Your Louisiana LSRTBE License

After receiving ARRT certification, apply for your Louisiana license through the LSRTBE. The application requires ARRT certification documentation, educational program verification, and the state license fee (approximately $75–$100 as of 2026 — Louisiana's dedicated board has higher administrative costs reflected in the fee). New license processing typically takes four to eight weeks.

LSRTBE licenses renew biennially. Renewal requires current ARRT certification and payment of the biennial renewal fee. Because LSRTBE is a standalone board with its own administrative processes, track your renewal deadlines proactively. Practicing without a current Louisiana license violates state law.

Continuing Education Requirements

ARRT's 24 CE credits per two-year cycle is the governing continuing education requirement. LSRTBE renewal is conditioned on maintaining current ARRT certification. Louisiana's healthcare systems — particularly Ochsner Health — layer facility-specific annual competency requirements on top of the ARRT CE baseline. The LSRTBE may also specify CE content requirements; confirm current requirements directly with the board when renewing.

Radiologic Technologist Specializations in Louisiana

CT is the highest-volume specialty in Louisiana, present at every major facility. MRI is in demand statewide, particularly outside New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Mammography positions are steady across Louisiana women's health and cancer screening programs. Ochsner's breast cancer program is one of the largest in the Gulf South.

Interventional radiology and cardiac catheterization lab positions are concentrated at Ochsner Medical Center, Tulane Medical Center, Our Lady of the Lake, and Willis-Knighton Medical Center. Nuclear medicine positions exist at New Orleans and Baton Rouge academic and tertiary medical centers. Occupational health imaging for Louisiana's petrochemical and offshore energy industry creates a niche market for chest and musculoskeletal imaging specialists in the Baton Rouge–Morgan City corridor.

Louisiana Salary Ranges

General radiologic technologists in Louisiana earn $52,000–$73,000 annually. New Orleans positions typically pay $55,000–$76,000. Baton Rouge and Shreveport range $53,000–$73,000. CT and MRI specialists earn $63,000–$86,000.

Travel radiologic technologist assignments in Louisiana pay $44–$62 per hour all-in. Rural and coastal Louisiana assignments — particularly in areas served by small community hospitals in Houma, Thibodaux, Morgan City, and Alexandria — generate consistent travel demand. Post-hurricane seasonal staffing gaps historically create surge demand for travel RTs in coastal Louisiana markets.

Top Employers

Ochsner Health is Louisiana's largest health system, with hospitals and clinics across New Orleans, Baton Rouge, the North Shore, Slidell, and Kenner. Tulane Medical Center (HCA Healthcare) is the major private academic medical center in New Orleans. Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center (Baton Rouge) anchors the capital market. Willis-Knighton Health System is the dominant Shreveport employer.

Lafayette General Health anchors the Acadiana market. CHRISTUS Ochsner St. Patrick (Lake Charles) serves southwest Louisiana. LSU Health New Orleans and LSU Health Shreveport are public academic employers. The Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System (New Orleans VA) is the major federal employer. Our Lady of the Lake's Children's Hospital is a growing subspecialty imaging employer in Baton Rouge.