Radiologic Technologist in Montana 2026: ARRT Pathway Guide

How to Become a Radiologic Technologist in Montana

Montana does not currently mandate a separate state radiologic technologist license at the level required by many other states. As of 2026, the Montana Department of Labor and Industry does not operate a standalone RT licensure program comparable to those in states like New York, New Jersey, or California. As a result, ARRT certification is the primary professional credential for radiologic technologists practicing in Montana. Individual employers — particularly Billings Clinic, SCL Health facilities, and Providence — set their own hiring standards, and virtually all require current ARRT certification as a condition of employment.

This ARRT-only pathway is common in several states, and it does not reduce the professional standards expected of Montana imaging techs. The path to practicing in Montana is straightforward but rigorous.

Step 1: Complete a JRCERT-Accredited Program

Even without a state license requirement, Montana employers and ARRT itself require graduation from a program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Options for Montana residents:

• Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology — Montana has limited in-state JRCERT-accredited program options given its population size. Billings-area hospital-based programs and distance/hybrid programs from neighboring states (Idaho, Wyoming, North Dakota) are routes some Montana residents pursue.
• Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology (BSRT) — online degree-completion programs from accredited universities allow working AAS-holding techs to advance their credentials without relocating.

Verify JRCERT accreditation status on the JRCERT website before enrolling. ARRT will not accept applications from graduates of non-accredited programs regardless of state license status.

Step 2: Earn Your ARRT Certification

ARRT certification is the cornerstone credential for Montana radiologic technologists. Because no state license sits on top of it, your ARRT status is your primary proof of professional qualification:

• Primary credential: R.T.(R) — Radiographer. Exam fee is approximately $225.
• Ethics review: ARRT reviews any criminal history or prior professional disciplinary actions during the application process.
• Clinical competencies: Documented during your accredited training program and submitted with your ARRT application.
• Continuing education: 24 CE credits every two years to maintain the ARRT credential. This is the only continuing education standard you are required to meet in Montana (beyond employer-specific requirements).
• Specialty credentials: After earning R.T.(R), you can add CT (R.T.(CT)), MRI (R.T.(MR)), mammography (R.T.(M)), and other specialties. Montana's frontier healthcare context means specialty-credentialed techs can serve multiple imaging modalities at smaller facilities — a significant advantage for remote or rural practice.

Step 3: The Montana ARRT-Only Pathway (No State License Required)

Since Montana does not require a state RT license, your path to employment is:

1. Graduate from a JRCERT-accredited program.
2. Apply to ARRT and pass the R.T.(R) examination.
3. Receive your ARRT wallet card and certification number.
4. Apply directly to Montana employers — present your ARRT certification as your primary credential.
5. Complete employer-required credentialing (hospital privileges, BLS/ACLS, etc.) as part of onboarding.

There is no state application fee, no state renewal paperwork, and no state licensing board to navigate. Maintain your ARRT certification current through biennial CE completion and you meet Montana's professional standards.

Note: Regulatory landscapes can change. Always verify the current Montana licensing status with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry and your prospective employer before assuming no state license is required.

Continuing Education Requirements

Montana radiologic technologists follow ARRT's continuing education standard: 24 CE credits every two years. Qualifying activities include:

• ARRT-recognized online CE modules from providers such as ASRT, Radiologic Technology journal, and manufacturer-sponsored programs
• National and regional imaging conferences (RSNA, ASRT Annual Conference)
• Hospital in-service education programs that meet ARRT CE standards
• Academic coursework in radiologic technology or a related clinical field

Retain all CE certificates and completion records for at least three years in case of an ARRT audit.

Radiologic Technologist Specializations in Montana

Montana's frontier healthcare geography creates a distinctive specialization landscape:

• CT (R.T.(CT)): Critical in trauma response at Montana's Level II trauma centers, including Billings Clinic. Rural techs often cross-train in CT given limited staff sizes.
• MRI (R.T.(MR)): Available primarily at larger Billings and Missoula facilities; travel RTs with MRI credentials fill gaps at smaller regional hospitals.
• Mammography (R.T.(M)): Women's health outreach programs serving rural communities often rely on mobile mammography units staffed by certified techs.
• Multi-modality practice: Montana's smaller hospitals value RTs who hold multiple credentials and can cover X-ray, CT, and fluoroscopy within a single shift — a model less common in high-volume urban facilities.
• Travel radiography: Montana's frontier communities create strong and consistent demand for travel RTs, particularly in the Hi-Line, eastern plains, and reservation-adjacent communities.

Montana Salary Ranges

Montana RT salaries reflect the state's rural labor market, but frontier demand and travel premiums can push total compensation significantly higher:

• General radiography (R.T.(R)): $50,000–$72,000 per year. Billings and Missoula positions pay more than rural facilities, though rural sites frequently offer additional incentives.
• CT and MRI specialists: $65,000–$82,000, with Billings Clinic and Providence positions at the upper end.
• Travel radiologic technologists: $45–$65 per hour. Montana frontier communities — particularly those with critical-access hospitals — regularly recruit travel staff at competitive rates with housing included.
• Multi-modality techs: Employers often pay a premium for RTs holding two or more ARRT credentials who can cover multiple modalities.

Top Employers

Despite its small population, Montana has several notable healthcare employers actively recruiting imaging professionals:

• Billings Clinic (Billings) — Montana's largest health system and a Level II trauma center. Strong imaging department with CT, MRI, nuclear medicine, and interventional programs.
• SCL Health (now Intermountain Health) — operates St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings and facilities in Great Falls (Benefis Health System affiliation).
• Providence Health & Services — St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula is a major western Montana employer for imaging techs.
• Community Medical Center (Missoula) — a busy acute-care hospital with a growing imaging program.
• Indian Health Service (IHS) — operates facilities on Montana's seven reservations; federal employment offers strong benefits and loan repayment eligibility for qualifying techs.
• Rural critical-access hospitals throughout eastern Montana, the Hi-Line corridor, and reservation communities regularly post permanent and travel RT openings.