Certification (Professional Credential)
- Granted by a professional organization, not the government. In radiology, this is usually the ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists).
- Demonstrates that you’ve met national standards for knowledge, ethics, and competency.
- Typically requires:
- Completing an accredited program
- Passing a national exam
- Maintaining continuing education
- Following a professional code of ethics
- Employers often prefer or require certification even if the state doesn’t.
Radiology examples
- ARRT certification in Radiography (R)
- ARRT certification in CT (CT), MRI (MR), Mammography (M), etc.
- NMTCB certification for nuclear medicine technologists
What certification does NOT do
- It does not give you legal permission to practice on its own.
- It’s a professional credential, not a legal authorization.
Licensure (Legal Permission to Practice)
- Issued by a state government, not a professional body.
- Required in most states to legally perform radiologic procedures.
- Defines your legal scope of practice, which may include:
- What modalities you can operate
- What procedures you can perform
- Whether you can inject contrast
- Supervision requirements
- States often use certification as part of their licensing requirements, but they are not the same thing.
Radiology examples
- A state radiologic technologist license
- A fluoroscopy operator permit
- A limited-scope X‑ray operator license (in some states)
What licensure does
- Grants legal authority to practice radiologic technology in that state.
- Without it, performing imaging can be illegal, even if you’re certified.
How They Relate in Radiology
| Aspect | Certification (ARRT, NMTCB) | Licensure (State) |
|---|---|---|
| Who grants it | Professional organization | State government |
| Purpose | Shows competency | Grants legal permission |
| Required to work? | Often, but not always | In most states, yes |
| National or state? | National | State-specific |
| Renewals | CE + ethics | CE + state rules |
| Scope of practice | Not legally binding | Legally binding |
A Radiology‑Based Analogy
Think of it like driving:
- Certification = passing a national driving skills test
- Licensure = your state driver’s license that legally allows you to drive
You can be highly skilled (certified), but without the state license, you can’t legally get behind the wheel.
Why Radiology Employers Care About Both
- Certification proves you meet national competency standards.
- Licensure proves you meet state legal requirements.
- Together, they show you’re both qualified and authorized.
Hospitals and imaging centers almost always want both.