How to Get Your Radiologic Technologist License in West Virginia (2026)

How to Become a Licensed Radiologic Technologist in West Virginia

West Virginia requires radiologic technologists to hold an active state license before practicing in clinical settings. The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), through its Office of Radiological Health / Radiologic Technology licensing program, oversees credentialing for RTs across the state. Both state licensure and ARRT certification are required and must be maintained concurrently.

West Virginia's healthcare market is defined by its Appalachian geography — a mix of urban academic centers in Charleston and Morgantown, regional community hospitals in mid-sized cities, and a significant network of rural and critical-access hospitals serving mountain communities with limited imaging staff. This creates both traditional employment opportunities and strong travel RT demand.

Step 1: Complete a JRCERT-Accredited Program

West Virginia requires graduation from a JRCERT-accredited radiologic technology program as the prerequisite for both ARRT examination and state licensure. In-state program options include West Virginia University (WVU), Mountwest Community and Technical College, BridgeValley Community and Technical College, and Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College.

The standard entry pathway is an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology, typically completed in two years. A Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology (BSRT) provides a competitive advantage for leadership roles at WVU Medicine's academic centers and CAMC's larger campuses. Clinical rotations during your program will expose you to West Virginia's hospital network and build the regional professional connections that are valuable in a smaller state job market.

Step 2: Earn Your ARRT Certification

West Virginia's state license requires ARRT certification. Your R.T.(R) credential must be active and in good standing before the state will issue your license. The steps:

• Receive program director verification of graduation from your JRCERT-accredited program
• Submit the ARRT application and complete the ethics review process
• Pass the ARRT Radiography examination (200 scored questions, administered at Pearson VUE testing centers)
• Receive your R.T.(R) credential from ARRT

Specialty certifications are valuable for advancing compensation and scope in West Virginia's hospital environment. CT (R.T.(CT)) and MRI (R.T.(MR)) credentials are especially sought after at WVU Medicine's flagship campus and CAMC's imaging departments. ARRT requires 24 CE credits every two years to maintain all credentials.

Step 3: Apply for Your West Virginia State License

Once you hold an active ARRT credential, apply to the West Virginia DHHR for your state RT license:

1. Complete the West Virginia Radiologic Technologist License Application (available through the DHHR licensing portal)
2. Submit official ARRT certification verification (ARRT can send verification directly to WV DHHR)
3. Pay the application fee — typically in the range of $50 to $75 (verify the current fee schedule on the DHHR website)
4. Complete any required background check documentation
5. Await processing and approval; allow several weeks for complete applications

West Virginia state RT licenses renew on a two-year cycle. Renewal requires documentation of 24 CE credits completed during the cycle and confirmation of active ARRT status. Late renewals may incur additional fees.

Continuing Education Requirements

West Virginia requires 24 CE credits per two-year renewal period, consistent with ARRT's standard. At least 12 credits should be structured (category A) education through ARRT or ASRT-approved providers. Acceptable CE sources include:

• ASRT-approved online CE modules
• Regional and national radiology conferences
• Hospital-based clinical education and in-service programs (with CE credit documentation)
• Manufacturer-sponsored application training (with appropriate ARRT CE documentation)

West Virginia RTs working in rural and critical-access settings often rely on online CE platforms due to limited access to in-person conferences. Many WVU and CAMC system education departments offer CE-eligible continuing education internally.

Radiologic Technologist Specializations in West Virginia

West Virginia's imaging needs reflect both its urban academic centers and its rural Appalachian communities:

• CT (R.T.(CT)): Consistently high demand at WVU Medicine, CAMC, and regional hospitals; trauma volume in rural areas drives critical-access CT need
• MRI (R.T.(MR)): Strong demand at academic centers and growing in outpatient settings in Charleston and Morgantown
• Mammography (R.T.(M)): West Virginia has elevated breast cancer rates, making mammography programs a clinical priority statewide
• Fluoroscopy / GI Imaging: Important in community hospital settings across the state
• Travel RT (rural/critical access): West Virginia has numerous National Health Service Corps (NHSC)-designated shortage areas; travel and locum RTs fill persistent gaps in imaging coverage across McDowell, Wyoming, Mingo, Logan, and other rural counties

NHSC-eligible sites in West Virginia may offer loan repayment programs for imaging professionals, though RTs must verify NHSC eligibility with the individual facility.

West Virginia Salary Ranges

West Virginia salaries for RTs reflect the state's lower cost of living and rural market conditions. However, academic center and specialty pay can be competitive for the region.

• General Radiographer: $48,000 – $68,000/year
• CT Technologist: $58,000 – $78,000/year
• MRI Technologist: $62,000 – $82,000/year
• WVU Medicine / CAMC (academic premium): Top of ranges with benefits and shift differentials
• Travel RT (rural WV assignments): $45 – $62/hour; housing stipends common; some facilities offer furnished housing for contract RTs

Top Employers

• WVU Medicine (Morgantown) — West Virginia's academic medical center and Level I trauma center; the highest-complexity imaging environment in the state with strong specialty RT demand
• CAMC Health System (Charleston) — Charleson Area Medical Center is the state's largest health system by volume, operating multiple hospitals and outpatient imaging centers across the Kanawha Valley
• Thomas Health (Charleston area) — Regional health system with multiple campuses serving central West Virginia
• Wheeling Hospital / WVU Medicine East (Wheeling) — Northern Panhandle's primary health system; serves the Ohio River Valley border region
• Cabell Huntington Hospital (Huntington) — Major health system in the Tri-State area (WV, KY, OH border)
• West Virginia critical-access hospitals — Including Welch Community Hospital, Williamson Health, Rainelle Medical Center, and others; strong travel and locum RT demand