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

How to Become a Licensed Radiologic Technologist in Oregon

Oregon requires a state license for all radiologic technologists practicing within the state. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Radiation Protection Services section, oversees the radiologic technology licensing program. Oregon's program is well-regarded for its clear requirements and accessible online application system. Whether you are a new graduate from an Oregon program or transferring your license from another state, this 2026 guide covers everything you need to know.

Step 1: Complete a JRCERT-Accredited Program

Oregon applicants must hold a degree or certificate from a program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). In-state accredited programs are available at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), Portland Community College, and other regional institutions. Programs are typically two years and award an Associate of Science or Applied Science degree, covering radiographic positioning, radiation biology, equipment operation, patient care, and clinical rotations. Some hospitals affiliated with Oregon Health Authority-regulated facilities also operate approved clinical training tracks. Graduating from a JRCERT-accredited program is mandatory before you are eligible to sit for the ARRT exam and before OHA will accept your license application.

Step 2: Earn Your ARRT Certification

Pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Radiography (R) examination. The exam is 200 questions, computer-adaptive, and administered at Pearson VUE testing sites throughout Oregon. To sit for the exam you must complete your JRCERT-accredited program, document clinical competencies, and clear ARRT's ethics review. After passing, ARRT issues your national credential — Oregon Health Authority requires this as the foundation for state licensure. Prepare thoroughly using ARRT's published content specifications and ASRT study resources; passage rates for first-time test takers with complete clinical preparation are consistently above 90%.

Step 3: Apply for Your Oregon License

Submit your Oregon radiologic technologist license application to OHA Radiation Protection Services. Oregon's application fee is approximately $100–$150, which is higher than many states but reflects the comprehensive regulatory infrastructure Oregon maintains. The application requires your ARRT certification documentation, official transcripts, a completed OHA application, and fee payment. Out-of-state applicants with current licenses in states with comparable standards may apply by reciprocity. Oregon does not generally issue temporary licenses, so plan your employment start date to allow 3–4 weeks for application processing. Licenses are renewed biennially via the OHA online portal.

Continuing Education Requirements

Oregon radiologic technologists must complete 24 continuing education credits per two-year renewal cycle, consistent with ARRT's CE framework. Oregon accepts CE credits that are approved through ASRT or documented as meeting ARRT's CE standards. Approved formats include online courses, professional conferences, in-service training programs, and accredited academic courses. Oregon has no mandatory topic requirements beyond the 24-credit total at the current time, but CE related to radiation safety, image quality, and patient communication is considered best practice. Retain all CE certificates for at least four years in case of an audit.

Radiologic Technologist Specializations in Oregon

Oregon's healthcare market, concentrated in the Portland metro but expanding through medically underserved rural regions, supports broad RT specialization demand. Computed Tomography (CT) and MRI are the highest-demand credentials, with CT-certified technologists being particularly sought after in both hospital and outpatient settings. OHSU's Level I Trauma Center and academic medical programs create consistent demand for vascular-interventional and advanced cardiac imaging technologists. PeaceHealth and Providence systems recruit for multi-modality generalists capable of rotating between CT, plain film, and fluoroscopy. Rural Oregon — including the coast, the central Oregon region, and eastern Oregon — has significant travel RT demand due to staffing shortages at Critical Access Hospitals.

Oregon Salary Ranges

Oregon radiologic technologists earn between $58,000 and $88,000 annually, with the Portland metro being one of the higher-paying markets in the Pacific Northwest. Median statewide compensation is approximately $68,000–$72,000. Portland-based technologists with CT or MRI credentials regularly earn $75,000–$88,000 at major health systems. Rural Oregon positions offer lower base salaries but frequently include rural incentive pay, housing assistance, or loan repayment programs. Travel RT assignments in Oregon pay $48–$68/hour, with coastal and eastern Oregon positions commanding premiums due to remoteness.

Top Employers

Oregon's largest radiologic technologist employers include:

• OHSU (Oregon Health and Science University) — Oregon's only academic medical center and one of the Pacific Northwest's premier research hospitals; offers the broadest range of advanced imaging roles.
• Providence Health & Services (Oregon) — Operates multiple Portland-area hospitals and a network of regional medical centers with extensive imaging departments.
• PeaceHealth — Serves the Eugene/Springfield area and SW Washington border region; a major RT employer in the mid-Willamette Valley.
• Legacy Health — Portland-based not-for-profit system with six hospitals and dozens of outpatient clinics across the Portland metro area.
• Samaritan Health Services — Mid-Willamette Valley system serving the Corvallis and Albany communities.
• Critical Access Hospitals (rural Oregon) — Facilities on the coast, in central Oregon, and along the eastern border consistently recruit RT staff and traveling technologists.