Becoming a professional who operates medical imaging equipment, often referred to as an X-Ray Tech, requires specialized training and formal credentials. This profession is formally known as a Radiologic Technologist. The journey to practice involves rigorous steps that culminate in state-level authorization, demanding attention to both national certification standards and specific licensing regulations established in Texas.
Defining the Role and Terminology
The term “X-Ray Tech” is a generalized name for a Radiologic Technologist, or Rad Tech, a healthcare professional specializing in medical imaging. In Texas, the state distinguishes between two levels of practice: the Medical Radiologic Technologist (MRT) and the Limited Medical Radiologic Technologist (LMRT). The MRT designation represents the full scope of practice, allowing the technologist to perform diagnostic imaging procedures on all areas of the human body.
The LMRT role has restrictions on the types of exams and anatomical areas they can image. LMRTs are typically authorized to perform procedures only on specific parts of the body, such as the chest, extremities, or spine. They often work in settings like clinics or orthopedic offices.
Educational Pathways in Texas
The foundation for a career as a full Medical Radiologic Technologist begins with formal education in a program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Most candidates pursue an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Radiologic Technology, which is typically a two-year commitment. This degree provides understanding of patient care, radiation physics, image production, and anatomy.
Some JRCERT-accredited certificate programs are also available, often taking between 12 and 24 months for those who already hold a degree. To be valid for national certification, the program must meet JRCERT standards, ensuring quality in didactic coursework and clinical rotations. The A.A.S. track is the most common route, fulfilling the degree requirement necessary for the national certification examination.
Obtaining National Certification
Upon graduating from a JRCERT-accredited program, the next step is to achieve national certification through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). This certification is a prerequisite for a full MRT license in Texas and is achieved by passing a comprehensive examination. The ARRT exam assesses competence across content areas including patient care, radiation protection and safety, equipment operation, and image production.
The ARRT requires applicants for the primary certification to hold an associate degree or higher from an accredited institution. Passing this exam confirms a technologist’s entry-level competency. Successful completion allows the technologist to use the credential R.T.(R), which stands for Registered Technologist in Radiography.
Securing the Texas State License
The final step is securing the state license through the Texas Medical Board (TMB), which oversees the licensing of Medical Radiologic Technologists. The TMB requires a full MRT license for a technologist to practice independently within the state. This process begins with an online application, initiating a two-stage process: a pre-licensure screening followed by the final licensing review.
Applicants use the TMB’s License Application Messaging and Status (LAMAS) system to submit required documentation and monitor their progress. Holding the ARRT certification is a prerequisite for the full MRT license, confirming the applicant’s professional qualification. The application for a General Medical Radiologic Technologist (GMRT) license includes a fee of $80.00, along with additional non-refundable surcharges.
A mandatory component of state licensing is the Texas Medical Jurisprudence Exam (JP Exam), which tests the applicant’s knowledge of state laws and regulations governing practice. Applicants must pass the JP Exam with a score of 75 or better. A criminal history check is also required, typically involving submitting fingerprints through a TMB-approved vendor like IdentoGo. Once all documentation is verified and the exams are passed, the TMB issues the official state license, authorizing practice in Texas.
Finding Employment and Salary Expectations
With the Texas MRT license secured, a technologist is prepared to enter the workforce across the state’s healthcare landscape. Common employment settings include large hospital systems, specialized outpatient imaging centers, and physician clinics. Demand for qualified technologists remains steady across major metropolitan areas, including Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio.
Entry-level Radiologic Technologists in Texas can anticipate a starting salary near the $49,000 to $55,000 range annually. The average salary for a certified technologist in Texas is typically between $60,000 and $62,000 per year. Technologists working in high-cost-of-living metropolitan areas or those with advanced certifications may find higher compensation.
Maintaining Licensure and Continuing Education
To maintain the right to practice, a Radiologic Technologist must satisfy continuing education (CE) requirements for both the national ARRT certification and the Texas MRT license. The ARRT requires technologists to complete 24 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) every two years to keep their certification active.
The Texas Medical Board requires General MRTs to complete a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education every two-year renewal cycle. At least 12 of these hours must be Category A or A-plus credits, which are directly related to the use of ionizing radiation. A course in human trafficking prevention, approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, is also required for every license renewal.