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

How to Become a Licensed Radiologic Technologist in Wisconsin

Wisconsin requires radiologic technologists to hold a state license before practicing in any clinical environment. Licensure is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), which oversees credentialing for healthcare professionals across the state. Both state licensure and active ARRT certification are required and must be maintained concurrently throughout your career.

Wisconsin's imaging market is anchored by two major metropolitan health systems — Milwaukee and Madison — along with significant regional and rural hospital networks across the state. The state is home to major academic medical centers and large multi-hospital systems, creating a robust and diverse job market for licensed RTs.

Step 1: Complete a JRCERT-Accredited Program

Wisconsin requires graduation from a JRCERT-accredited radiologic technology program as the prerequisite for both ARRT examination eligibility and state licensure. Wisconsin has strong in-state educational options including programs at Madison Area Technical College, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Chippewa Valley Technical College, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, and Western Technical College.

The standard entry credential is an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology, completed in two years. A Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology (BSRT) is preferred for supervisory roles and specialty positions at UW Health and Froedtert's academic programs. Clinical rotations at Wisconsin hospitals during your program provide critical networking connections in a market where strong hospital relationships matter.

Step 2: Earn Your ARRT Certification

Wisconsin state licensure requires ARRT certification — specifically an active R.T.(R) credential — before the DSPS will process your license application. The ARRT pathway:

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

Specialty ARRT certifications — CT (R.T.(CT)), MRI (R.T.(MR)), Mammography (R.T.(M)), Cardiac-Interventional (R.T.(CI)) — command premium compensation at Wisconsin's major health systems. Children's Wisconsin and Froedtert's interventional programs are particularly active. ARRT requires 24 CE credits every two years to maintain any certification.

Step 3: Apply for Your Wisconsin State License

With your ARRT credential in hand, apply for your Wisconsin Radiologic Technologist License through the DSPS online portal (MyLicense Office):

1. Create or log in to your MyLicense Office account on the DSPS website
2. Select Radiologic Technologist and complete the license application
3. Upload or authorize submission of your ARRT certification verification
4. Pay the application fee — typically in the range of $75 to $100 (verify current fee on the DSPS website)
5. Complete any required background screening if applicable
6. Await DSPS review and issuance of your Wisconsin RT license

Wisconsin RT licenses renew biennially. Renewal through the MyLicense Office portal requires documentation of 24 CE credits completed during the renewal period and confirmation that your ARRT credential remains active and in good standing.

Continuing Education Requirements

Wisconsin requires 24 CE credits per two-year license renewal cycle, consistent with the ARRT biennial standard. CE must be completed through ARRT-approved or ASRT-approved providers. Wisconsin does not mandate specific CE topic areas at the state level for RT licensure renewal.

Acceptable CE formats include:

• Online CE modules through ASRT, ARRT, or approved vendors
• State and national radiology conferences (Wisconsin Radiological Society annual meeting)
• Health system-based clinical education programs that carry CE credit
• Vendor-sponsored application training with ARRT-approved CE documentation

Wisconsin RTs employed at UW Health, Froedtert, or Aurora may have access to internally offered CE programs that satisfy DSPS renewal requirements. Always confirm CE credit documentation before the renewal deadline.

Radiologic Technologist Specializations in Wisconsin

Wisconsin's imaging market is large and diverse, with strong academic and community hospital demand:

• CT (R.T.(CT)): Highest volume specialty in both the Milwaukee and Madison markets; essential at Level I and II trauma centers
• MRI (R.T.(MR)): Robust demand in metropolitan markets; UW Health and Froedtert have busy MRI programs with both inpatient and outpatient volumes
• Cardiac/Interventional (R.T.(CI) or R.T.(VI)): Strong demand at Froedtert's Heart and Vascular Center and Aurora Cardiovascular Services
• Pediatric Radiology: Children's Wisconsin (Milwaukee) is one of the Midwest's premier pediatric imaging programs, offering specialized pediatric RT roles
• Mammography (R.T.(M)): Consistent statewide demand, particularly at Aurora's breast health programs and Ascension women's health centers
• Nuclear Medicine / PET: Academic centers and cancer programs in both Milwaukee and Madison

Wisconsin Salary Ranges

Wisconsin offers solid RT compensation, particularly in the Milwaukee and Madison markets, with competitive benefits packages at major health systems.

• General Radiographer (Milwaukee / Madison): $58,000 – $82,000/year
• CT Technologist: $68,000 – $90,000/year
• MRI Technologist: $70,000 – $92,000/year
• Pediatric Radiology Specialist: $65,000 – $88,000/year (Children's Wisconsin and UW programs)
• General Radiographer (rural Wisconsin): $52,000 – $70,000/year
• Travel RT: $45 – $62/hour; rural northern Wisconsin assignments often include housing stipends

Top Employers

• UW Health (Madison) — The University of Wisconsin's academic health system; Level I trauma center with high imaging complexity and active specialty RT programs across multiple campuses
• Froedtert Health (Milwaukee) — Academic medical center affiliated with the Medical College of Wisconsin; strong cancer, cardiac, and interventional imaging programs
• Aurora Health Care / Advocate Aurora (Milwaukee and statewide) — One of Wisconsin's largest health systems with hospitals across the state from Green Bay to Kenosha
• Ascension Wisconsin (Milwaukee / Statewide) — Broad network including Ascension Columbia St. Mary's and regional affiliates
• Children's Wisconsin (Milwaukee) — Premier pediatric academic medical center; specialized pediatric radiology roles
• ThedaCare (Fox Valley / Northeast Wisconsin) — Significant regional health system in Appleton/Neenah area
• SSM Health Wisconsin (Madison / Janesville) — Multi-hospital system serving south-central Wisconsin
• Rural Wisconsin critical-access hospitals — Northern Wisconsin communities create consistent travel and per-diem RT demand