Radiologic Technology - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

A: You can find out the current status, expiration date, category, and other information by visiting the Certificate Holder Search Page (requires Internet access). The Search page also displays all current continuing education courses and hours that the department has received from approved providers for a certificate holder's current renewal cycle.

A: Yes, unless you qualify for an exemption listed under s. 468.302, Florida Statute (F.S.) Section 468.302(1), F.S., states that no person shall use ionizing radiation on a human unless that person is a licensed practitioner or a radiologic technology certificate holder in Florida. According to s. 468.301, F.S., "licensed practitioner" means a person who is licensed or otherwise authorized by law in Florida to practice medicine, podiatric medicine, chiropody, osteopathic medicine, naturopathy, or chiropractic medicine in this state. A radiologic technology certificate holder is a: Basic X-ray Machine Operator, Basic X-ray Machine Operator-Podiatric Medicine, General Radiographer, Nuclear Medicine Technologist, Radiation Therapy Technologist or Radiologist Assistant. Section 468.302(6), F.S. contains a list of persons who may be exempt under certain situations which includes medical students, radiologic technology students, federal employees, or persons performing certain cardiopulmonary services. See s. 468.301, F.S., and s. 468.302, F.S., for more details.

Q3: What types of certification are offered in Florida?

A: Florida offers six types of certification: Basic X-ray Machine Operator, Basic X-ray Machine Operator-Podiatric Medicine, General Radiographer, Nuclear Medicine Technologist, Radiation Therapy Technologist, and Radiologist Assistant.

Q4: What are the requirements for certification?

A: Florida provides two avenues of certification for Radiologic Technology professionals: certification by examination or certification by endorsement.

According to s. 468.304, F.S., all applicants desiring certification must: submit a completed application along with the required fee; be at least 18 years of age at the time of application; be of good moral character; and have completed an approved educational program (school). For those applying to become General Radiographers, Nuclear Medicine Technologists, and Radiation Therapists the requirement for an approved educational program means they must have successfully completed a two-year accredited Radiologic Technology Program. Those applying to become Basic X-ray Machine Operators must have completed an accredited Basic X-y Machine Operator educational program, or at a minimum, completed a review of the "Radiography Essentials for Limited Practice" text and workbook, published by Elsevier, available here.

Under s. 468.3065, F.S., applicants may be certified by endorsement if they meet all the requirements listed above and can demonstrate that they hold a current Radiologic Technology certificate, license, or registration in another jurisdiction which is substantially equivalent (in the department's opinion) to the Florida certificate.

Applicants who are not applying by endorsement must meet all requirements and pass the Florida certification exam.

Q5: Is there a list of approved educational training programs for General Radiographers, Nuclear Medicine Technologists, and Radiation Therapists?

A: A list of Florida approved Radiologic Technology programs can be found on our Forms & Documents page For a list of national programs please visit the ARRT's Internet site. All such programs are accredited by either JRCERT (Radiography or Therapy), JRCNMT (Nuclear Medicine), or one of the six regional accreditation agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (SACS is the agency for Florida schools). Please refer to Rule 64E-3.002, F.A.C. for more details.

Q6: How does the examination process work?

A: Once the candidate is approved for examination we will mail them an "Exam Approval" letter. The applicant needs to forward this to ARRT and ensure they have registered directly with ARRT for the exam. About a week later, the test administrator (ARRT) will send the candidate an examination information packet including a Candidate Status Report, an Exam Handbook and scheduling instructions. The exam candidate will be assigned a 90-day testing window and given instructions on how to contact Pearson VUE to schedule an exam appointment. Pearson VUE testing centers are located throughout Florida and the nation and work in conjunction with our test administrator (visit Pearson VUE's Internet site for a current list of centers). If exam candidates do not schedule and take their exam during their assigned 90-day window, or if they miss their scheduled appointment, they will forfeit their exam fee and will need to reapply to take their exam. Their exam window will not be extended. Please see s. 468.306, F.S., and Rule 64E-3.005, F.A.C. for references.

Q7: What kind of exam does Florida use?

A: To ensure adherance to nationally accepted standards, Florida contracts with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) for all it's examination services. For example, for our Basic X-ray Machine Operator, we use ARRT's Limited Scope Radiography exam.

Q8: When and where is the exam given?

A: The examination is given at Pearson VUE testing centers throughout the nation. Please refer to your Exam Handbook or visit Pearson VUE for current locations. Please note that you cannot schedule your exam until we have determined you meet all state requirements and you have received the exam packet from our test administrator.

Q9: I just took and passed my exam - how soon can I expect to see the results show up as an active certificate on your on-line search page?

A: It takes about 2 weeks from the date you take the exam for the successful result to be processed and updated to the system. It may take longer if the exam contractor or test centers are closed due to state or federal holidays. Once the result is in the system it will take an additional couple days for your certificate to be printed and mailed out. However, you can work as soon as the on-line system indicates your certificate is Active.

Q10: Is examination required for renewal of a certificate?

A: No. Per s. 468.309(1)(a), F.S., a certificate shall be renewed by the department for a period of two years upon payment of a renewal fee; completion of 12 hours of approved continuing education; and submission of a completed renewal application containing such information as the department deems necessary to show that the applicant for renewal is a certificate holder in good standing. Please refer to s. 468.309, F.S., for additional information.

Q11: Can an individual currently registered with ARRT work in Florida?

A: Only if they also have an active Florida certificate. Florida certification is required of all Radiologic Technology professionals practicing in Florida. See s. 468.302, F.S., for further information. Persons with current ARRT licensure can apply for certification by endorsement in Florida as long as they meet all other requirements.

Q12: Can an individual currently registered with NMTCB work in Florida?

A: Only if they also have an active Florida certificate. Florida certification is required of all Nuclear Medicine Technologists practicing in the State of Florida. See s. 468.302, F.S., for further information. Persons with current NMTCB licensure can apply for endorsement in Florida as long as they meet all other requirements.

Q13: Where can I get a list of approved continuing education providers?

A: You can find a list on our Approved Continuing Education Provider page.

Q14: How does someone become an approved continuing education provider?

A: To become an approved provider, you must complete and submit, at least 30 days prior to the course presentation date: a Provider Information Sheet (Form 374) for each course; a copy of the course material (if home study or Internet) or course outline (if live); and a resume for each course presenter. For a complete understanding of the process and your responsibilities as a provider, please download a copy of our Provider Guidelines booklet from the Forms and Documents page. The Provider Information Sheet (Form 374) can be downloaded from the same location.

Q15: I don't see one of my continuing education courses listed under my name after I searched my information on the Radiologic Technology Certificate Holder Search Page. What should I do?

A: The first thing to do is make sure you took an approved course from an approved provider, and that you told the provider you are certified in Florida and gave them your Florida certificate number (not your ARRT number). The next thing is to see if they have had enough time to report the course to us. Please allow four weeks for the provider to report the course. If you still haven't seen the course show up by then, contact the provider. If the provider still can't help, contact us. Remember to always keep a copy of the your approved course certificate so that if all else fails, you can send that to us with your renewal form to receive credit.

Q16: What are the requirements for renewing my active certificate before it expires?

A: Approximately 60 days prior to your certificate expiration date, the department will mail a renewal form and instructions to your last known address. In order to renew, you must submit a completed renewal (either online or via paper form), correct fees, and proof of 12 hours of approved continuing education from an approved provider. No more than 3 of the 12 hours can be in the personal development category (CPR, etc.) - the rest must be technical (radiation protection, equipment operation, etc.). All continuing education used to renew a certificate must have been earned in the current renewal cycle and the same course cannot be repeated in the same cycle. Renewal forms which are post marked after your certificate expiration date will be considered late and additional late fees will be due. Any certificate that is not renewed by midnight on the expiration date automatically expires and cannot be used to practice.

Q17: I don't understand the requirements for reactivating my expired or inactive certificate. Could you explain?

A: A certificate that has been expired or inactive can be reactivated for up to 10 years after going inactive or expired. To reactivate a certificate, you need to contact us and request a reactivation form and reactivation instructions. Reactivation is very similar to renewal and requires submission of the form, correct fees, and proof of completing the required number of approved continuing education hours from an approved provider. The number of hours required varies with the length of time the certificate has been inactive or expired - typically 3 hours for every six months the certificate has been inactive or expired. All continuing education hours used to reactivate a certificate must have been earned in the 24 months prior to reactivation. Certificates which expired without being renewed are subject to a late fee, in addition to the normal renewal fee. Certificates which have been inactive for at least a year are only subject to the normal renewal fee. Certificates which have been inactive for less than one year are subject to the late fee. Department staff will list the correct number of hours and fees when they print your form.

Q18: Can you help me become certified as an MRI or ultrasound technologist?

A: No. These professions are not licensed or certified by the Department of Health. The statute that gives the Department the authority to certify radiologic technologists, Chapter 468, Part IV, F.S., only applies to persons who administer ionizing radiation (x-rays, gamma rays, etc.) to humans. MRI and ultrasound do not use ionizing radiation.

Q19: Can you help me become certified as a radiologist, radiation oncologist, medical physicist, or nuclear medicine physician?

A: No. The radiologic technology program only certifies General Radiographers, Basic X-ray Machine Operators, Nuclear Medicine Technologists, and Radiation Therapy Technologists. For information about licensure of other health professionals, please visit the Department's Division of Medical Quality Assurance.

Q20: I don't think the person who took my x-ray has a license. What can I do?

A: You should contact our office and provide information so that we can investigate. You can report allegations of uncertified x-ray operators, or other violations of the radiologic technologist certification laws. Please provide as much information as you can, including: 1) the complete name, address, and phone number of the facility involved; 2) name, address, and phone number of the owner's of the facility; 3) name, address, phone number, and description of the alleged operators/violators; 4) name, address, and phone number of any witnesses who can corroborate your allegation; 5) date, time, patients' names, body part x-rayed, and complete description of the violation; 6) whether the owners or supervising physicians knew about this activity; 7) a description of any physical evidence that can corroborate your allegation, such as patient log book or x-rays showing operator's name or initials, and; 8) any other information you can provide that would help the investigation.

Please also provide a phone number or email address so that we can reach you, if we need additional information. However, before revealing your name, phone number, email address, or other information about yourself, please note that such information becomes a matter of public record. We cannot withhold this information if it is requested by others, including those being investigated.

If you have other questions that are not covered here, please let us know.

Privacy Statement * Disclaimer
Accessibility Information * Email Advisory