Becoming a Radiologic Technologist in South Dakota: ARRT Requirements (2026)

How to Become a Licensed Radiologic Technologist in South Dakota

South Dakota is one of a small number of states that does not impose a separate mandatory state radiologic technologist license. In South Dakota, practicing radiologic technologists are not required to obtain a state-issued license in addition to their national credential. Instead, ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) certification serves as the primary professional credential required by employers and recognized throughout the state. This means your path to practicing radiologic technology in South Dakota is streamlined compared to states with dual state/national credentialing requirements, but ARRT certification is still essential and expected by all major employers.

Step 1: Complete a JRCERT-Accredited Program

Even without a state license requirement, South Dakota employers universally expect radiologic technologists to have graduated from a JRCERT-accredited program as the foundation for ARRT eligibility. In-state JRCERT-accredited programs are offered through institutions affiliated with Sanford Health and Avera Health, as well as academic programs at Dakota State University and Mitchell Technical Institute. These programs are typically two years in length, culminating in an Associate of Applied Science in Radiologic Technology. The curriculum covers radiation physics, anatomy, positioning, image evaluation, patient care, and extensive clinical rotations. Your JRCERT-accredited education is the entry point to the ARRT examination, without it, you cannot sit for the board exam that South Dakota employers require.

Step 2: Earn Your ARRT Certification

Pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Radiography (R) examination. This is the credential that functions as the de facto licensure standard in South Dakota. The ARRT exam is 200 questions, computer-adaptive, and administered at Pearson VUE testing centers. You must document clinical competencies from your accredited program, satisfy ARRT ethics requirements, and pay the examination fee. After passing, ARRT issues your national R credential, which must be maintained through biennial renewal and continuing education. South Dakota employers, including Sanford Health, Avera, and Monument Health, will verify your current ARRT certification as a condition of employment and continued practice.

Step 3: Apply for Your South Dakota Position (ARRT-Only Pathway)

Because South Dakota does not require a separate state radiologic technologist license, there is no state licensing application, fee, or board to navigate beyond your ARRT credential. Once you hold a current, valid ARRT Radiography (R) certification, you are eligible to practice as a radiologic technologist in South Dakota. Practitioners relocating from other states do not need to transfer a state license or complete a separate endorsement application. Simply verify that your ARRT credential is current and in good standing, and present it to your prospective employer as part of the onboarding and credentialing process. Individual healthcare facilities will conduct their own credentials verification as part of privileging.

Continuing Education Requirements

Although South Dakota does not have a state CE requirement tied to a state license, ARRT mandates 24 continuing education credits per two-year renewal cycle to maintain your national certification. Because employers recognize ARRT as the operative credential in South Dakota, maintaining your ARRT CE compliance is equivalent to maintaining your ability to practice. Acceptable CE formats include ASRT-approved online courses, professional conferences, in-service training programs at your facility, and accredited academic coursework. Specialty-specific CE, such as CT or MRI modules, counts toward your general 24-credit requirement and helps position you for advanced specialization credentials. Keep CE certificates on file for ARRT audit purposes.

Radiologic Technologist Specializations in South Dakota

South Dakota's healthcare market, dominated by two large integrated health systems (Sanford and Avera), creates demand for advanced RT specializations throughout the state. CT and MRI are the most in-demand advanced credentials at Sioux Falls and Rapid City campuses. South Dakota's frontier and rural geography, particularly in western and central parts of the state, creates exceptional demand for travel radiologic technologists willing to work at Critical Access Hospitals and rural health clinics where permanent staff are difficult to recruit. Dual-credentialed technologists (e.g., R+CT or R+MRI) are especially valuable in rural settings where multi-modality coverage is required from a small imaging staff. Fluoroscopy and portable X-ray capabilities are also important in long-term care and rural hospital settings.

South Dakota Salary Ranges

Radiologic technologists in South Dakota earn between $48,000 and $68,000 annually, with median compensation around $56,000-$60,000. Sioux Falls is the highest-wage market in the state, with experienced CT and MRI technologists at Sanford and Avera reaching $63,000-$68,000. Rapid City is a secondary market with competitive compensation. Rural South Dakota positions often supplement lower base pay with housing assistance, loan repayment incentives, or sign-on bonuses to attract candidates. South Dakota's low cost of living and absence of state income tax significantly enhance the real value of these wages. Travel RT assignments in South Dakota pay $40-$56/hour, with western South Dakota (Black Hills area) commanding premiums due to geographic isolation.

Top Employers

South Dakota's radiologic technologist employers include:

• Sanford Health, The largest health system in the Dakotas and one of the largest rural health systems in the US; headquartered in Sioux Falls with campuses throughout South Dakota and the broader upper Midwest.
• Avera Health, Sioux Falls-based Catholic health system with hospitals, clinics, and critical access facilities throughout South Dakota; the state's second-largest health system.
• Monument Health, Rapid City-based system serving the Black Hills region and western South Dakota; the dominant health system west of the Missouri River.
• Regional Health / Prairie Lakes Healthcare, Smaller regional systems serving Watertown, Aberdeen, and northeast South Dakota communities.
• Critical Access Hospitals (rural SD), Numerous small rural hospitals across the state's sparsely populated counties regularly recruit RT staff and rely heavily on traveling technologists.