How to Get Your Texas Medical Radiologic Technologist (MRT) Certification in 2026

How to Become a Licensed Radiologic Technologist in Texas

Texas has one of the most distinctive radiologic technology credentialing systems in the country. Unlike most states that require either ARRT certification alone or a simple state license on top of ARRT, Texas requires practitioners to obtain a Medical Radiologic Technologist (MRT) certification issued by the Texas Medical Board (TMB). This MRT certification is a state-specific credential required by law for anyone practicing as a full-scope radiologic technologist in Texas. Texas also offers a Limited Medical Radiologic Technologist (LMRT) permit for practitioners performing a narrower set of procedures. This guide covers everything you need for 2026.

Step 1: Complete a JRCERT-Accredited Program

Texas MRT applicants must graduate from a radiologic technology program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Texas has one of the nation's largest and most diverse arrays of accredited programs, reflecting its massive population. Programs at Amarillo College, Del Mar College (Corpus Christi), Houston Community College, Tarrant County College (Fort Worth), UT Health San Antonio, and dozens of hospital-affiliated schools throughout the state produce thousands of graduates annually. Programs are typically two years in length, awarding an Associate of Applied Science in Radiologic Technology. Accredited program completion is a prerequisite for both ARRT examination eligibility and Texas MRT certification.

Step 2: Earn Your ARRT Certification

Pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Radiography (R) examination. The Texas Medical Board requires a current, valid ARRT R credential as the primary prerequisite for MRT certification. The ARRT exam is 200 questions, computer-adaptive, administered at Pearson VUE testing centers, and covers all major content areas. Candidates must document clinical competencies and satisfy ARRT ethics requirements. After passing, ARRT issues your national R credential — this is the foundation document you will submit to the Texas Medical Board as part of your MRT certification application. For LMRT applicants, ARRT certification is not required, but LMRT is limited to specific procedures.

Step 3: Apply for Your Texas MRT Certification

Submit your Medical Radiologic Technologist certification application to the Texas Medical Board. The TMB application requires your ARRT R credential documentation, official program transcripts, a completed TMB application form, background check authorization, and a state certification fee of approximately $75–$100. Texas conducts a criminal background check as part of the certification process. Out-of-state practitioners with equivalent credentials may apply by endorsement if their home state's standards are comparable to Texas's MRT requirements. Processing timelines vary but typically range from 3–6 weeks for complete applications. Texas MRT certifications must be renewed biennially.

Limited Medical Radiologic Technologist (LMRT): Texas also issues LMRT permits for individuals who perform a limited scope of radiologic procedures — typically plain film radiography of extremities, chest, and spine — without holding full ARRT Radiography certification. LMRT applicants must complete a board-approved LMRT training program and pass the ARRT Limited Scope Radiography Examination. LMRTs commonly work in urgent care clinics, chiropractic offices, and small medical practices. Transitioning from LMRT to full MRT requires completion of a JRCERT-accredited program and passing the full ARRT R exam.

Continuing Education Requirements

Texas MRT holders must complete continuing education as required by both the Texas Medical Board and ARRT for biennial renewal. ARRT mandates 24 CE credits per two-year cycle, and the Texas Medical Board's CE requirements are structured to align with this framework. CE must be relevant to radiologic technology practice. Accepted formats include ASRT-approved online modules, professional conferences, in-service training, and accredited academic coursework. Texas's large healthcare market and numerous professional associations (including the Texas Society of Radiologic Technologists) provide abundant CE opportunities, including annual state conference events in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. LMRT permit holders have separate CE requirements specified by the TMB.

Radiologic Technologist Specializations in Texas

Texas's enormous and diverse healthcare market — spanning four major metropolitan areas (Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin) plus numerous mid-size markets — supports the full range of RT specializations. CT and MRI are the highest-demand advanced credentials across all Texas markets. Vascular-interventional radiography and cardiac catheterization lab roles are in significant demand at Texas's large academic medical centers including UT Southwestern, UT Health Houston, and Baylor College of Medicine-affiliated facilities. Nuclear medicine technology, PET/CT, and radiation therapy technologist roles are well-established in Texas's large cancer center network, including MD Anderson. Texas's rapidly growing Austin and San Antonio markets have created particularly active CT and MRI hiring in outpatient imaging centers and ambulatory surgery settings.

Texas Salary Ranges

Texas radiologic technologists earn between $55,000 and $84,000 annually depending on market, modality, and experience. Houston and Dallas are the highest-wage markets, with experienced CT and MRI technologists at major academic medical centers regularly earning $74,000–$84,000. Austin and San Antonio have seen significant wage growth driven by rapid population expansion and healthcare facility construction. Statewide median compensation is approximately $64,000–$68,000. Texas has no state income tax, which meaningfully increases the real value of these wages. Travel RT assignments in Texas pay $42–$62/hour; Houston and Dallas positions are the most competitive due to large healthcare systems with ongoing volume needs.

Top Employers

Texas's radiologic technologist market includes some of the largest health systems in the nation:

• Baylor Scott & White Health — The largest not-for-profit health system in Texas, with hospitals and imaging centers from Dallas-Fort Worth to the Hill Country.
• UT Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas-based academic medical center and research powerhouse with advanced subspecialty imaging programs and significant RT staff needs.
• Houston Methodist — Premier Houston academic system with the main medical center campus and multiple regional hospitals throughout the Houston metro.
• Texas Health Resources — Arlington-based not-for-profit system with hospitals throughout the DFW metroplex.
• HCA Healthcare (Texas Division) — Operates Medical City Healthcare in DFW and numerous other Texas hospitals; a major RT employer by volume statewide.
• UT Health / UTHealth Houston — Houston-based academic system affiliated with McGovern Medical School; includes Memorial Hermann as a major affiliated employer.
• University Health (San Antonio) — The academic health system affiliated with UT Health San Antonio, serving South Texas.