How to Get Your Nebraska Radiologic Technologist License in 2026

How to Become a Licensed Radiologic Technologist in Nebraska

Nebraska requires radiologic technologists to hold a current state license issued through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Radiologic Technology program. No one may legally perform diagnostic radiologic procedures on Nebraska patients without holding an active license. This guide walks through the full process — accredited education, ARRT certification, state application, and ongoing renewal requirements.

Step 1: Complete a JRCERT-Accredited Program

Nebraska DHHS requires applicants to graduate from a program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) or a DHHS-recognized equivalent. Common Nebraska pathways:

• Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology — Nebraska has well-regarded two-year programs at Southeast Community College (Lincoln), Metropolitan Community College (Omaha), and several hospital-based programs partnered with regional accreditors.
• Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology (BSRT) — degree-completion options allow AAS-credentialed RTs to advance. Nebraska Methodist College (Omaha) and the University of Nebraska Medical Center offer relevant pathways.

Confirm accreditation on the JRCERT website before enrolling. DHHS will not process applications from graduates of non-accredited programs.

Step 2: Earn Your ARRT Certification

ARRT certification is a requirement for Nebraska state licensure. Steps to certification:

• Primary credential: R.T.(R) — Radiographer. The ARRT examination fee is approximately $225.
• Ethics review: ARRT evaluates criminal and disciplinary history during the application process.
• Clinical competencies: Documented throughout your JRCERT-accredited program and submitted to ARRT with your application.
• Continuing education: ARRT requires 24 CE credits per two-year cycle. Nebraska's renewal standard mirrors this requirement.
• Specialty credentials: CT (R.T.(CT)), MRI (R.T.(MR)), mammography (R.T.(M)), and interventional (R.T.(VI)) certifications increase market value in Nebraska's Omaha and Lincoln metro markets, as well as rural critical-access hospitals.

Step 3: Apply for Your Nebraska State License

After earning your ARRT certification, apply to Nebraska DHHS for your state radiologic technology license:

1. Complete the DHHS Radiologic Technology licensure application, available on the DHHS Credentialing Division website.
2. Submit proof of current ARRT certification. DHHS verifies certification directly with ARRT in most cases.
3. Pay the initial license fee. Nebraska fees currently fall in the $50–$75 range; verify the exact current fee on the DHHS fee schedule before payment.
4. Provide official transcripts from your JRCERT-accredited program if requested by DHHS.
5. Renew your license biennially (every two years), demonstrating completion of 24 CE credits.

Nebraska DHHS typically processes complete applications within 3–5 weeks. Apply well in advance of your start date. A temporary practice permit may be available while your application is under review — confirm current policy with DHHS.

Continuing Education Requirements

Nebraska radiologic technologists must complete 24 CE credits per two-year renewal cycle. Eligible activities include:

• ARRT-recognized online CE modules (ASRT learning center, academic CE, manufacturer CE)
• State and national imaging conferences
• Employer-sponsored in-service programs meeting DHHS CE criteria
• Academic coursework in radiologic sciences

Because Nebraska's CE requirement matches ARRT's continuing qualification standard exactly, a single set of 24 completed CE credits satisfies both your state renewal and ARRT biennium simultaneously. Retain all CE completion documentation for a minimum of three years.

Radiologic Technologist Specializations in Nebraska

Nebraska's healthcare market, concentrated in Omaha and Lincoln with a significant rural component, supports a range of imaging specializations:

• CT (R.T.(CT)): High demand at Omaha's Level I trauma centers and regional hospitals statewide.
• MRI (R.T.(MR)): Academic and tertiary care centers in Omaha, particularly Nebraska Medicine and Children's Nebraska.
• Mammography (R.T.(M)): Breast health centers and women's imaging programs across urban and rural markets.
• Nuclear Medicine (R.T.(N) or NMTCB): Oncology programs at Nebraska Medicine and CHI Health facilities.
• Rural/frontier practice: Nebraska has a large agricultural population across the Sandhills and Panhandle; critical-access hospitals in these areas often seek multi-credentialed or travel RTs for coverage.

Nebraska Salary Ranges

Nebraska radiologic technologist compensation is competitive for a Great Plains market:

• General radiography (R.T.(R)): $52,000–$72,000 per year. Omaha positions typically offer the highest base salaries; rural facilities may offer comparable total compensation through incentive packages.
• CT and MRI specialists: $67,000–$85,000, with Nebraska Medicine academic center positions at the upper end of the range.
• Travel radiologic technologists: $45–$62 per hour. Nebraska's rural critical-access hospitals consistently recruit travel staff.
• Lead/supervisory roles: $80,000–$92,000 at Omaha-area health systems.

Top Employers

Nebraska's healthcare landscape is dominated by a handful of large systems that collectively employ the majority of the state's imaging professionals:

• Nebraska Medicine / University of Nebraska Medical Center (Omaha) — the state's academic medical center and Level I trauma center; offers advanced imaging programs and research-oriented career paths.
• CHI Health — multi-hospital system with major campuses in Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, and Kearney.
• Bryan Health (Lincoln) — major Lincoln employer with acute-care hospitals and outpatient imaging centers.
• Children's Nebraska (Omaha) — pediatric specialty hospital with dedicated pediatric imaging department.
• Crete Area Medical Center — representative of the smaller regional and critical-access facilities across rural Nebraska that employ permanent and travel RTs.
• Fremont Health and other community hospitals across eastern Nebraska regularly post RT openings.