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

How to Become a Licensed Radiologic Technologist in Tennessee

Tennessee requires state licensure for radiologic technologists, with oversight managed by the Tennessee Department of Health (TNDOH), Emergency Preparedness and Response Division, Radiological Health section. Tennessee's healthcare job market has experienced significant growth — particularly in Nashville, which has emerged as one of the nation's leading healthcare industry hubs — making it an attractive destination for radiologic technologists at all career stages. This guide covers all 2026 requirements for Tennessee RT licensure.

Step 1: Complete a JRCERT-Accredited Program

Tennessee applicants must graduate from a radiologic technology program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Tennessee has a well-developed pipeline of accredited programs, including offerings at Chattanooga State Community College, Columbia State Community College, Jackson State Community College, Roane State Community College, and hospital-affiliated programs through Vanderbilt and HCA Healthcare's education partnerships. Standard programs are two years in length, awarding an Associate of Applied Science in Radiologic Technology. Curriculum covers radiation physics, anatomy and positioning, image quality evaluation, patient care, and clinical rotations across multiple approved healthcare sites. JRCERT accreditation is required for ARRT eligibility and TNDOH license application.

Step 2: Earn Your ARRT Certification

After completing your accredited program, apply to the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) to sit for the Radiography (R) certification examination. The exam is 200 questions, computer-adaptive, and available at Pearson VUE testing centers throughout Tennessee. Candidates must document clinical competencies and satisfy ARRT's ethics requirements before testing. Tennessee's DOH requires a current, valid ARRT R credential as part of every state license application. After passing, most candidates apply for their Tennessee license within 30–60 days. Maintaining ARRT certification in good standing is required for Tennessee license renewal.

Step 3: Apply for Your Tennessee License

Submit your Tennessee radiologic technologist license application to the TNDOH Radiological Health section. The application package includes ARRT certification documentation, official program transcripts, a completed Tennessee application form, and a licensing fee of approximately $50–$75. Out-of-state practitioners with equivalent licensure may apply by endorsement. Tennessee processes applications online through the TNDOH licensing portal; processing typically takes 2–3 weeks for complete applications. Licenses are renewed biennially. Tennessee does not currently issue temporary practice permits, so coordinate your employment start date to allow for processing time.

Continuing Education Requirements

Tennessee radiologic technologists must complete 24 continuing education credits per two-year renewal cycle. Tennessee's CE requirements align with ARRT standards, so CE completed for national certification renewal satisfies the state requirement. Accepted CE formats include ASRT-approved online courses, professional conferences, hospital in-service education, and accredited academic coursework. Tennessee has no mandatory topic-specific CE requirements beyond the 24-credit general total at the current time. Given Nashville's prominence as a healthcare industry hub, Tennessee RT professionals have access to a wide array of local and regional CE events and professional development opportunities through Tennessee healthcare association networks.

Radiologic Technologist Specializations in Tennessee

Tennessee's healthcare market — particularly Nashville — supports exceptional demand for advanced RT specializations. CT is the highest-demand advanced credential statewide, followed closely by MRI and vascular-interventional radiography. Nashville's growing imaging market includes large hospital systems, specialized outpatient imaging centers, and ambulatory surgery centers requiring advanced imaging support. Vanderbilt University Medical Center, as the state's flagship academic medical center, creates demand for highly specialized imagers including neuro-interventional, cardiac imaging, and research protocol scanning support. Erlanger Health System in Chattanooga and HCA Healthcare's multiple Tennessee campuses also recruit for advanced CT, MRI, and interventional specializations. Mammography credentialing is in active demand across outpatient and women's health settings statewide.

Tennessee Salary Ranges

Tennessee radiologic technologists earn between $50,000 and $76,000 annually, with median compensation around $60,000–$64,000. Nashville and Brentwood (the suburban healthcare corridor south of Nashville) offer the highest compensation, with experienced CT and MRI technologists at Vanderbilt and HCA flagship hospitals commonly reaching $68,000–$76,000. Knoxville and Chattanooga are competitive secondary markets. Tennessee's lack of state income tax meaningfully boosts the real value of these wages relative to states with income tax. Travel RT assignments in Tennessee pay $40–$58/hour, with Nashville-area travel positions particularly competitive given the market's overall healthcare density.

Top Employers

Tennessee's major radiologic technologist employers include:

• Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville's flagship academic medical center, one of the Southeast's leading research hospitals; offers the most advanced subspecialty imaging roles in the state.
• HCA Healthcare — Headquartered in Nashville; operates TriStar Health in Middle Tennessee and numerous other hospitals statewide — making it one of the largest single RT employers in Tennessee by volume.
• Ascension Saint Thomas — Large Catholic health system with multiple Nashville-area hospitals and clinics throughout Middle Tennessee.
• Erlanger Health System — Chattanooga's Level I Trauma Center and academic teaching hospital; largest health system in southeast Tennessee.
• Ballad Health — Dominant integrated health system serving the Tri-Cities region (Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol) and northeastern Tennessee.
• Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare — Memphis-based system with flagship campus and community hospitals throughout the Memphis metropolitan area.