Stepping into medical imaging can feel confusing at first, especially when you hear terms like Radiologic Technologist (aka rad tech, or RT), tech assistant, and limited license technologist used side by side. These roles work closely together, but they do not have the same education, responsibilities, or legal scope of practice. Not to mention, those details can change depending on where you live.
The following sections break down how each role functions in modern imaging departments, how state laws and American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) exams shape what you’re allowed to do, and how to choose the path that best fits your goals — whether that’s starting with a limited license, working as an assistant, or pursuing full Radiologic Technologist credentials.
Exploring Career Paths in Radiologic Technology
So, what does a rad tech do, exactly, compared to an assistant or limited license technologist?
What Does a Rad Tech Do? (And How Their Role Fits Into Modern Healthcare)
A radiologic technologist is a licensed imaging professional who performs diagnostic X-ray exams and often cross-trains into advanced modalities such as CT, MRI, or mammography. Rad techs:
Evaluate imaging orders and verify patient identity
Select proper exposure factors and positioning
Produce diagnostic-quality images for physician interpretation
Apply strict radiation safety standards for patients, staff, and themselves
In today’s healthcare system, imaging is a front-line diagnostic tool. Rad techs contribute directly to diagnosis and treatment planning for trauma, cancer, orthopedic injuries, cardiothoracic conditions, and more, often in fast-paced environments like emergency departments and operating rooms.
The Collaborative Nature of Imaging Departments
Imaging is a team sport. In a typical department, you may find:
Registered rad techs (RTs) performing and documenting exams.
Tech assistants or imaging assistants helping with patient flow, room prep, and non-imaging tasks.
Limited license technologists performing basic X-rays in outpatient clinics or physician offices.
Radiologists, nurses, transporters, and front-desk staff.
Each role supports the others. Assistants help keep schedules on time and rooms turned over. Limited license techs expand access to basic imaging in primary care and urgent care settings. Fully licensed rad techs handle the more complex procedures and advanced modalities.
Why It’s Important to Understand Each Role Before Entering the Field
Knowing the differences between these roles helps you:
Set realistic expectations around training length, coursework, and clinical rigor.
Understand how much responsibility and independence you’ll have with patients and radiation.
Plan a career ladder (for example, starting as a limited license tech or assistant and later advancing into a full rad tech role).
It also helps employers and patients understand who is doing what — which is critical for safety, quality, and compliance.
How Licensing and Responsibilities Differ Across States
In the United States, there are two overlapping layers that shape what imaging professionals can do:
- ARRT certification and registration (national credentialing)
- State licensing or permitting, where required
Many states license radiologic technologists and may use ARRT exams (Radiography, Limited Scope, Fluoroscopy, etc.) as their licensing tests. Others have their own exams or, in a handful of states, no formal state license requirement for rad techs at all (for example, Alabama does not require state licensure for radiologic technologists).
Because of this variation, two people with similar training can have very different scopes of practice depending on where they work. That’s especially true for limited license technologists and for tech assistants working in MRI and other specialized areas.
What Does a Radiologic Technologist (Rad Tech) Do?
Core Responsibilities of a Registered Radiologic Technologist
A registered rad tech is responsible for:
Reviewing and clarifying imaging orders.
Assessing patient condition and ability to cooperate.
Selecting equipment, projections, and exposure factors.
Performing diagnostic radiographic procedures.
Critically evaluating images for positioning, motion, and technical quality.
In short, rad techs are accountable for both technical quality and patient safety every time radiation is used.
Operating Imaging Equipment Safely and Accurately
Rad techs must know their equipment inside and out — everything from fixed radiography rooms to mobile units, C-arms, and often CT scanners. They:
Apply ALARA principles (“as low as reasonably achievable”).
Use shielding, collimation, and proper exposure to minimize dose.
Adhere to facility protocols and national standards such as ASRT practice standards, which define typical entry-level responsibilities in radiography.
Patient Interaction and Radiation Safety Protocols
Beyond the technical side, rad techs are often the face of radiology for patients. They:
Explain procedures in clear, reassuring language.
Assess pregnancy status when appropriate.
Position patients safely, considering pain, mobility, and cultural needs.
Use immobilization techniques appropriately.
Monitor for adverse reactions (e.g., to contrast media in CT) and respond within their scope.
Radiation safety is embedded in every step — both as a regulatory requirement and as a professional ethic.
Common Specializations Within the Rad Tech Career Field (MRI, CT, Mammography)
After initial radiography education and ARRT certification, technologists frequently pursue post-primary credentials in areas such as:
Computed Tomography (CT)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Mammography
Interventional Radiography, Cardiovascular-Interventional, and others
Many of these post-primary exams are offered by ARRT and require additional structured education and clinical experience, reflecting higher-level responsibilities and more complex technology.
Education, Licensing, and Certification for Rad Techs
Typical Degree or Certificate Requirements
Radiologic Technologist (Rad Tech):
High school diploma or GED
Prerequisite math and science (algebra, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, English composition, medical terminology, etc.)
Admission to an accredited radiography program (commonly a two-year associate degree) with possible entrance exams like TEAS and minimum GPA
Completion of didactic coursework plus supervised clinical rotations through core areas (chest, extremities, GI, OR, trauma, etc.)
Rad Tech Assistant / Imaging Assistant:
High school diploma or GED and English proficiency
Age 18+ and able to meet physical demands (lifting, standing, patient transfers)
On-the-job training or structured assistant programs; previous hospital experience as a transporter, unit clerk, or aide is very helpful.
For MRI environments, the emerging Imaging Assistant, Magnetic Resonance (I.A.(MR)(ARRT)) credential will formalize education and competency at the national level starting in Fall 2026.
Limited License Radiologic Technologist:
High school diploma or GED
English proficiency and age 18+
Entrance exam (often covering basic math, reading, and science)
Completion of a limited scope radiography program aligned with ARRT Limited Scope or state content specifications, typically focused on core anatomy modules (e.g., chest, extremities, spine, skull/sinuses, and podiatric)
Programs vary widely across states, so it’s crucial to check both school admission requirements and state licensing rules.
ARRT Certification and State Licensure Overview
ARRT offers national certification and registration in radiography and other modalities. For radiographers, this usually requires:
Completion of an ARRT-approved educational program
An associate degree or higher
Passing the ARRT Radiography exam
Meeting ethics requirements
State licensing is separate. Some states:
Use ARRT exams (Radiography or Limited Scope) as their official state licensing exams.
Offer their own exams but reference ARRT’s content specifications for scope and safety standards.
Do not issue a state license for radiologic technologists, leaving employers (and accrediting bodies like The Joint Commission and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, rules) to set standards. Hospitals in these states still commonly require ARRT credentials for rad tech positions.
Limited license technologists similarly may take ARRT’s Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography exam or a state exam modeled on its modules.
How State Regulations Affect Practice Scope
State laws define exactly what a limited license holder can do. Common patterns include:
Permitted – basic radiographic procedures in areas like extremities, chest, spine, skull/sinuses, and podiatric imaging.
Not permitted – C-arm fluoroscopy, fluoroscopy suites, or specialized modalities such as CT, MRI, ultrasound, or mammography — these typically require a Registered Radiologic Technologist and often additional modality-specific training.
Some states have detailed content specifications and licensing pathways for limited scope operators using the ARRT module structure. Others classify limited radiographers as Limited X-ray Machine Operators (LXMOs) with defined body-area scopes listed in state law.
Continuing Education (CE) and Professional Growth Opportunities
Most imaging credentials are not “one and done.” ARRT-registered technologists generally must complete 24 approved CE credits every two years (see biennial requirements) to maintain registration. Many states add their own CE requirements, too, often distinguishing between full and limited licenses — for example, some require 24 CE hours for full rad techs and 12 hours for limited license holders every two years.
CE is also how technologists:
Stay current on new technology and protocols.
Prepare for post-primary ARRT exams (CT, MRI, Mammography, etc.).
Build skills for advanced roles in PACS administration, management, or education.
Organizations like MTMI provide modality-specific training and CE that not only satisfy renewal requirements but also support career advancement.
What Is a Rad Tech Assistant?
How Tech Assistants Support Registered Radiologic Technologists
Rad tech assistants (sometimes called imaging assistants) support the clinical work of RTs without taking on the full responsibilities of image acquisition or dose selection. They help:
Prepare patients and rooms.
Assist with positioning and patient transfers under technologist supervision.
Handle administrative and logistical tasks that would otherwise slow technologists down.
In MRI, ARRT’s new Imaging Assistant, Magnetic Resonance credential formalizes this helper role in the MR environment, with a focus on patient care, Level 2 MRI safety, positioning, and assistance with contrast — but not actually operating the scanner or performing imaging.
Typical Daily Duties — Scheduling, Room Prep, and Patient Positioning Assistance
On a typical day, a tech assistant might:
Greet patients and confirm identity.
Review prep instructions (e.g., NPO status, metal screening for MRI).
Change linens, restock supplies, and clean equipment between patients.
Help position patients and apply immobilization devices, under the direction of an RT.
Escort patients to and from waiting areas or inpatient units.
Support basic patient comfort and communication.
These tasks are vital for patient experience and throughput and can be a great on-ramp to a full imaging career.
H3: Differences in Training, Credentialing, and Scope of Work
Compared with rad techs:
Education is shorter and less science-intensive (often on-the-job training or short courses vs. a two-year degree).
There is no independent imaging scope; assistants generally do not select exposure factors or perform studies on their own.
The new I.A.(MR)(ARRT) credential adds structured education and clinical requirements for MRI assistants, representing the first ARRT exam explicitly designed for a tech assistant role.
The Value of the Assistant Role in Maintaining Workflow Efficiency
Tech assistants:
Keep rooms turned over and ready.
Reduce wait times and bottlenecks.
Allow rad techs to focus on complex technical tasks and advanced exams.
Improve patient comfort and communication.
For many people, the assistant role is both a career destination and a stepping stone into formal radiography programs.
What Is a Limited License Radiologic Technologist?
Defining the Limited License Scope and Its Purpose
A limited license radiologic technologist (often titled Limited X-ray Operator, LMRT, or LXMO) is trained to perform basic radiographic procedures on specified body parts under the supervision of a physician or RT. The goal is to:
Expand access to essential imaging in outpatient, primary care, and urgent care settings.
Maintain safety and image quality through targeted training.
Avoid requiring a full radiography degree for roles that only need basic X-ray capability.
How Limited License Techs Differ From Fully Certified Rad Techs
Compared with fully certified rad techs, limited license techs typically:
Have less extensive formal education (often a certificate instead of an associate degree).
Can perform only certain types of exams defined by state law or regulation.
Cannot perform fluoroscopy, CT, MRI, mammography, or other advanced modalities.
Work primarily in clinics, physician offices, urgent care, and orthopedics, rather than high-acuity hospital environments.
Common Procedures Limited License Techs Are Permitted to Perform
Although exact wording varies by state, many limited scope licenses authorize exams such as:
Extremities (upper, lower, and shoulder/pectoral girdle)
Chest (routine views and sometimes limited additional projections)
Spine (cervical, thoracic, lumbar)
Skull and sinuses
Podiatric imaging
These correspond closely to the modules used in ARRT’s Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography exam and state licensing handbooks.
States Where Limited License Roles Are Most Common
Limited license roles are especially visible in states that have separate licensure or permit categories for these practitioners, often with titles like Limited X-ray Machine Operator (LXMO) or Limited Medical Radiologic Technologist. Examples include:
Wisconsin, which issues LXMO permits with explicit body-area scopes and requires continuing education for renewal.
Mississippi, where Limited X-ray Machine Operators are licensed by the state medical board and restricted to certain anatomical regions such as chest, abdomen, and skeletal structures.
Florida, which has detailed limited scope content specifications and modular exam options for candidates.
Other states rely more heavily on full ARRT-registered technologists or may have fewer clearly defined limited categories.
State Differences in Licensing and Scope of Practice
Each state sets what limited license techs can do. Some don’t regulate rad techs or limited scope roles, but hospitals follow Joint Commission/CMS requirements and typically require ARRT-licensed rad techs. Some clinics may have unlicensed staff working under a physician.
How Regulations Vary Across States for Imaging Professionals
State frameworks range from highly regulated to minimally regulated:
Many states require licenses or permits for both full and limited scope personnel, often with education and CE standards tied to ARRT or ASRT guidelines.
Some states (such as Alabama and certain others) do not require a state license for radiologic technologists, although employers frequently insist on ARRT certification.
A small group of states, including North Carolina, historically had no licensing standards for rad techs and radiation therapists, prompting ongoing legislative efforts to establish licensure and protect patients.
Regardless of what the state requires on paper, Joint Commission and CMS expectations mean hospitals nearly always prefer — or require — formally educated and credentialed technologists.
Examples of States With Separate Licensure for Limited Scope Techs
Several states maintain distinct licenses for limited operators, often with different CE and practice rules than full rad techs. Examples include:
Wisconsin LXMO – Limited X-ray Machine Operators renew in even years and must complete 12 hours of CE every two years, often from ARRT-recognized providers.
Mississippi Limited X-ray Machine Operators – Must hold a permit from the state medical board; scope is limited to certain anatomical regions, and permit renewal requires CE with dedicated radiation protection hours.
Florida Limited Scope Operators – Follow modular exams and scope descriptions aligned with ARRT’s Limited Scope Content Specifications.
States That Require ARRT Credentials for All Radiologic Technologists
Many licensing states either:
Mandate ARRT certification as a condition for licensure, or
Use ARRT’s Radiography exam (and sometimes Limited Scope or Fluoroscopy) as the official state licensing exam.
Even in states without formal licensing, ARRT credentials function as a de facto standard for hospital hiring and for eligibility at accredited imaging facilities.
Why It’s Important to Verify Licensing Requirements Before Relocating or Applying
Because regulations change, anyone planning to move to a new state, switch from a limited license to a full license, or transition from assistant to technologist should verify requirements with:
The state radiation control or licensing board (ASRT maintains a helpful state-by-state contact list)
ARRT’s state licensing and exam resources
This helps you avoid surprises, position your education correctly, and ensure you’ll be eligible to practice when you arrive.
Comparing Career Responsibilities and Opportunities
Differences in Training, Clinical Responsibility, and Independence
Rad Techs:
Lengthiest formal education (associate degree or higher)
Highest responsibility and independence in imaging
Can cross-train into modalities and advanced roles
Rad Tech Assistants / Imaging Assistants:
Shorter training; role is supportive rather than independent
Focus on patient care, logistics, and safety in specialized environments like MRI
Do not perform imaging or determine exposure
Limited License Technologists:
Targeted education for specific body areas
Practice under supervision with clearly defined scope
Good entry point for those unsure about a full radiography program
How Salary and Career Progression May Vary by Role and Location
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), radiologic technologists and technicians earned a median annual wage of about $79,000 as of 2024, with higher earnings at advanced experience levels and in certain settings (like outpatient care centers).
Generally, full-scope rad techs and technologists with CT, MRI, or mammography credentials earn more than limited license techs or assistants. Salaries vary significantly by state, urban vs. rural location, and setting (federal facilities and outpatient centers often pay more than physician offices). Limited license and assistant roles usually pay less but can still offer competitive wages relative to training length and may provide pathways into higher-paying technologist positions.
Typical Work Environments for Each Role (Hospitals, Clinics, Specialty Centers)
Rad Techs: hospitals, trauma centers, OR suites, outpatient imaging centers, specialty practices (orthopedics, oncology, cardiology), federal facilities
Tech Assistants: hospital imaging departments, MRI centers, outpatient imaging clinics
Limited License Techs: urgent care, primary care clinics, orthopedic practices, community health centers, chiropractic or podiatric offices
The Importance of Mentorship and Continuing Education in Radiologic Careers
Regardless of role, mentorship and CE are what turn basic training into long-term, sustainable careers. Working closely with experienced technologists and participating in structured CE (such as MTMI courses) helps you:
Build confidence with new procedures and modalities
Avoid burnout by developing broader skills and career options
Stay aligned with evolving best practices and regulatory expectations
Understanding Rad Tech Salary and Career Outlook
Factors That Influence Rad Tech Salary (Experience, Location, Specialty)
Rad tech salaries are influenced by:
Experience. More years in practice, especially in high-acuity environments, typically correlate with higher wages.
Location. States and metropolitan areas with higher costs of living tend to offer higher pay.
Modality. MRI, CT, and interventional technologists often earn more than general radiographers.
Work setting. Federal government and outpatient centers tend to pay above the national median; physician offices tend to pay less.
The Role of Education and Certification in Compensation
Higher levels of education and additional ARRT credentials typically support:
Access to more advanced and specialized roles.
Stronger bargaining power for shifts, roles, and compensation.
Progression into supervisory, PACS, or administrative positions.
Long-Term Professional Growth Within the Radiology Field
The BLS projects continued growth for radiologic and MRI technologists over the next decade, outpacing average job growth for all occupations, driven by aging populations and increased reliance on imaging. Within that growth, there’s ample room to move into:
Advanced modalities (CT, MRI, mammography, interventional)
Leadership (lead tech, supervisor, manager)
Education and clinical instruction
Informatics and PACS roles
Choosing the Path That Fits Your Goals
A seasoned technologist (in the field since the mid-1980s) describes radiography as a career with strong pay, excellent advancement potential, and a “just right” level of hands-on care — enough patient interaction to be meaningful, but with the variety of caring for many patients throughout the day rather than the same few all shift.
For someone who struggles with higher-level math and science, starting as a Limited Tech can be a practical stepping stone, building a framework and confidence before pursuing a full Radiologic Technology program.
Each Imaging Role Plays a Unique Part in Patient Care
Rad Techs ensure complex and routine imaging is performed safely and diagnostically.
Tech Assistants keep patients comfortable and departments running smoothly.
Limited License Techs extend basic imaging access into community and outpatient settings.
All three roles contribute to faster diagnoses, better patient experiences, and high-quality care.
Understanding Responsibilities Helps You Plan Your Career Path
Before you commit to a program or job, ask yourself how much responsibility, science coursework, and hands-on technical work you’re ready for today. In addition, consider whether starting as a limited license tech or assistant might help you gain confidence and experience — or whether you’re ready to go directly into a comprehensive rad tech program.
There is no single “right” entry point. What matters is choosing a role that matches your current readiness and keeps doors open for the future.
Whether Pursuing a Full License, Limited License, or Assistant Role — Education and Safety Are the Foundations of Success
Regardless of your starting point, two themes never change:
- Education – quality didactic and clinical training aligned with ARRT and state standards
- Safety – for patients, staff, and yourself, through consistent application of radiation protection, screening, and evidence-based practice
If you keep building both, you can move from assistant to limited license to full rad tech — and beyond.
Support Your Rad Tech Career by Deepening Your Knowledge
Ready to deepen your skills or prepare for the next step in your imaging career? No matter if you’re exploring rad tech vs. tech assistant vs. limited license, MTMI can help you chart a safe, compliant, and rewarding pathway in medical imaging. MTMI offers courses and webinars that align with ARRT requirements and real-world practice in advanced modalities:
Learn advanced MRI principles, safety, and image optimization to prepare for MR roles or post-primary certification in our MRI Training Course for Technologists.
In the PACS: What Every Technologist Should Know (Webinar), strengthen your understanding of image management, workflow, and informatics — a key skill set for leadership and advanced roles.
Build the structured education you need for CT practice and ARRT CT exam preparation in our CT Training Course for Technologists.
Fulfill initial training requirements for mammography and expand your scope in breast imaging through the Initial Mammography Training Course.
● MTMI will also be launching an Imaging Assistant MRI training course in the summer of 2026, focused on preparation for the ARRT IA MRI exam.
