How to Get Your New York Radiologic Technologist License in 2026

How to Become a Licensed Radiologic Technologist in New York

New York State requires radiologic technologists to hold a license issued by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) before performing ionizing radiation procedures on patients. New York's licensing framework is among the more structured in the country, featuring a three-year renewal cycle rather than the biennial cycle used in most states. New York City's concentration of Level I trauma centers, academic medical centers, and specialty hospitals makes this one of the most competitive — and best-compensated — radiologic technologist markets in the United States. This guide covers everything needed to earn and maintain your New York RT license in 2026.

Step 1: Complete a JRCERT-Accredited Program

NYSDOH requires graduation from a JRCERT-accredited radiologic technology program. New York has one of the densest concentrations of accredited programs in the country:

• Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology — offered at Nassau Community College (Garden City), SUNY Erie Community College (Buffalo), LaGuardia Community College (Queens), Bronx Community College, Westchester Community College, Hudson Valley Community College (Troy), and numerous hospital-based programs affiliated with NYC and upstate health systems. The AAS is the standard entry path.
• Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology (BSRT) — available at SUNY institutions and several private universities. NYU Langone, Long Island University, and other partners offer bachelor's degree pathways and degree-completion programs for working techs.

Verify JRCERT accreditation at jrcert.org. NYSDOH will not approve licensure applications from graduates of non-accredited programs.

Step 2: Earn Your ARRT Certification

ARRT certification is a required prerequisite for NYSDOH licensure. Steps to certification:

• Primary credential: R.T.(R) — Radiographer. Exam fee is approximately $225.
• Ethics review: ARRT evaluates criminal history and prior professional disciplinary actions during the application process.
• Clinical competencies: Documented throughout your JRCERT program and submitted to ARRT.
• Continuing education: ARRT requires 24 CE credits per two-year cycle. Note that New York uses a three-year renewal cycle (see below), which differs from ARRT's standard biennium — you will complete separate ARRT renewals within your NY license renewal period.
• Specialty credentials critical in New York: CT (R.T.(CT)) — in extremely high demand across NYC's trauma centers and emergency departments. MRI (R.T.(MR)) — major academic centers and research programs. Mammography (R.T.(M)) — strong demand at breast imaging centers throughout the metro. Vascular-interventional (R.T.(VI)) and cardiac imaging — sought at major cardiovascular programs at Mount Sinai, NYP, and other flagship campuses.

Step 3: Apply for Your New York State License

After earning your ARRT certification, apply to NYSDOH for your radiologic technologist license:

1. Complete the NYSDOH radiologic technologist license application. Applications are available through the NYSDOH Health Commerce System or the applicable NYSDOH licensing unit.
2. Submit proof of current ARRT certification — include your ARRT ID and official ARRT verification documentation.
3. Pay the initial licensure fee. New York fees currently run $70–$115 for an initial license; verify the exact current amount on the NYSDOH fee schedule before payment.
4. Provide official transcripts from your JRCERT-accredited program if required by NYSDOH.
5. Renew your license on New York's three-year cycle — this is unique to New York and differs from the two-year renewal used in most states. Renewal requires documentation of 24 CE credits completed during the three-year renewal period.

Important note on New York's renewal cycle: New York renews RT licenses every three years with 24 CE credits required for that three-year period. This is distinct from ARRT, which requires 24 CE credits every two years. You must satisfy both schedules independently — maintain ARRT biennially AND renew your NY license triennially with the required CE documentation. Plan your CE accordingly.

NYSDOH processing times for RT licenses can range from 4–8 weeks. Apply early. A limited permit may be available during the review period — confirm current policy with NYSDOH.

Continuing Education Requirements

New York radiologic technologists must complete 24 CE credits per three-year renewal cycle for state purposes, while also satisfying ARRT's 24 CE credits per two-year continuing qualification requirement. Qualifying CE activities for both include:

• ARRT-recognized online CE modules (ASRT, RSNA educational programs, academic journal CE)
• National imaging conferences (RSNA, ASRT Annual Conference, NYSSRT state meeting)
• Hospital-based in-service education meeting NYSDOH CE standards
• Academic coursework in radiologic sciences or related clinical disciplines

Retain all CE documentation for at least four years given NY's three-year cycle. Track ARRT and NY renewal dates separately — they will be on different calendars.

Radiologic Technologist Specializations in New York

New York — especially New York City — offers the broadest and most advanced imaging specialization landscape of any US market:

• CT (R.T.(CT)): Extraordinarily high demand across dozens of Level I and II trauma centers in the five boroughs and surrounding metro counties. CT techs with overnight availability command significant shift differentials.
• MRI (R.T.(MR)): Academic and research hospitals (NYP/Columbia, NYP/Weill Cornell, NYU Langone, Mount Sinai) have world-class MRI programs. Advanced research MRI is a unique NYC niche.
• Mammography (R.T.(M)): High breast screening volume in the NYC metro drives demand at dedicated breast imaging centers and hospital-based programs.
• Nuclear Medicine (R.T.(N) or NMTCB): Major oncology and cardiology programs at NYC academic centers.
• PET/CT: New York has among the highest concentrations of PET/CT scanners in the US; credentialed PET/CT techs command premium compensation.
• Upstate New York: Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse offer strong market opportunities with lower cost of living than NYC but competitive wages relative to national medians.

New York Salary Ranges

New York City offers the highest radiologic technologist wages in New York State and among the highest in the nation:

• General radiography (R.T.(R)), NYC metro: $75,000–$95,000 per year. NYC base wages for general radiographers substantially exceed the national average.
• CT and MRI specialists, NYC: $88,000–$110,000+. Senior CT and MRI techs at major academic centers exceed $100,000 in base compensation. Evening and overnight shift differentials can add $8,000–$15,000 annually.
• Upstate New York (Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse): $58,000–$78,000 for general radiography; $70,000–$90,000 for CT/MRI specialists. Upstate markets offer meaningfully lower cost of living than NYC.
• Travel radiologic technologists: $52–$70 per hour. NYC area travel rates are among the highest in the US; upstate NY travel positions are also active.
• Lead/supervisory roles, NYC: $100,000–$125,000+ at major academic medical centers.

Top Employers

New York has one of the largest concentrations of major healthcare systems in the world:

• NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital — anchored by affiliations with Columbia and Weill Cornell; multiple NYC campuses. Among the largest RT employers in the US.
• Northwell Health — New York's largest health system; 21 hospitals across the NYC metro including Lenox Hill, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, and North Shore University Hospital.
• Montefiore Medical Center (Bronx) — major academic medical center serving the Bronx with a large imaging department.
• NYU Langone Health — major Manhattan academic center with Tisch Hospital and multiple ambulatory imaging sites across the metro.
• Mount Sinai Health System — eight hospitals in the NYC metro including The Mount Sinai Hospital and Mount Sinai Morningside.
• Rochester Regional Health / Strong Memorial Hospital (UR Medicine) — major upstate NY employers in the Rochester market.
• Albany Medical Center — Capital Region's primary academic medical center and Level I trauma center.