Every state has a slightly different path to becoming an MRI technologist. Some require state-specific licenses. Others have no licensing requirement at all but expect national certification. A few have rules that catch people off guard mid-application.
This guide breaks down the requirements for the 15 most-searched states, plus a general framework for the rest. Whether you are a career changer, an existing healthcare worker looking to move into MRI, or a registered technologist adding MRI to your credentials, you will find what you need here.
The National Framework
Before diving into individual states, here is what applies everywhere:
Two certification paths exist nationally:
- ARRT MRI certification (post-primary pathway) requires you to already hold ARRT certification in another modality like radiography. You complete structured clinical requirements and pass the MRI specialty exam.
- ARMRIT certification is designed for people entering MRI directly, including career changers and healthcare workers without a prior radiology credential. You complete an ARMRIT-approved program and pass the ARMRIT exam.
Most states do not require a specific MRI license. Employer preference drives the requirement. The vast majority of hospitals and imaging centers require either ARRT MRI or ARMRIT certification regardless of state law.
Clinical hours matter everywhere. Every certification path requires supervised clinical training, typically 750 to 1,000 or more hours at active MRI sites.
California
Licensing: California requires MRI technologists to hold a certificate issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Radiologic Health Branch. This applies specifically to MRI techs working in facilities under state oversight.
Certification accepted: ARRT MRI or ARMRIT. Both satisfy the state certificate requirement.
Key details:
- Apply through the CDPH Radiologic Health Branch
- Background check and fingerprinting required
- No state-specific exam beyond the national certification exam
- Renewal required every two years with continuing education
Salary range: $85,000 to $120,000+ depending on metro area. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego pay the highest.
Clinical sites: Tesla MR Institute maintains clinical training sites across California, placing students at hospitals and outpatient imaging centers throughout the state.
Texas
Licensing: Texas requires MRI technologists to register with the Texas Medical Board (TMB). This is a registration, not a full licensure process, but it is mandatory. See our full guide to MRI tech programs in Texas for detailed program comparisons, salary data by metro, and 135+ clinical training sites.
Certification accepted: ARRT MRI or ARMRIT.
Key details:
- Register through the Texas Medical Board
- Must hold current national certification
- Background check required
- CE requirements align with national certification renewal
Salary range: $70,000 to $95,000. Houston, Dallas, and Austin metro areas pay at the higher end.
Clinical sites: Tesla MR has extensive clinical site coverage across Texas, with training locations in Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin.
Florida
Licensing: Florida does not require a specific state license for MRI technologists. However, employers universally require national certification.
Certification accepted: ARRT MRI or ARMRIT.
Key details:
- No state license or registration needed
- Employers require national certification for hiring
- Some facilities may require additional background screening beyond what the state mandates
Salary range: $65,000 to $90,000. Miami, Tampa, and Orlando tend to pay higher due to cost of living and demand.
Clinical sites: Tesla MR has clinical training sites throughout Florida, covering major metro areas and smaller markets.
New York
Licensing: New York requires MRI technologists to be licensed by the New York State Department of Health. The license requires completing an approved education program and passing a certification exam.
Certification accepted: ARRT MRI or ARMRIT.
Key details:
- Apply through the NYS Department of Health
- Must complete an approved MRI education program
- Passing score on ARRT MRI or ARMRIT exam required
- License renewal with CE credits every two years
- New York City facilities often require additional facility-specific credentialing
Salary range: $80,000 to $110,000+. NYC metro pays significantly more than upstate.
Clinical sites: Tesla MR maintains clinical sites in the New York metro area and throughout the state.
New Jersey
Licensing: New Jersey requires licensure for MRI technologists through the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners.
Certification accepted: ARRT MRI or ARMRIT.
Key details:
- State license application required
- Must hold current national certification
- Criminal background check required
- Biennial renewal with CE requirements
- One of the stricter licensing states for imaging professionals
Salary range: $80,000 to $105,000. Northern NJ near NYC pays the most.
Clinical sites: Tesla MR has clinical training locations across New Jersey.
Pennsylvania
Licensing: Pennsylvania does not require a state license specifically for MRI technologists. There are no state-level regulations governing MRI practice.
Certification accepted: ARRT MRI or ARMRIT. Employers require one or the other.
Key details:
- No state license or registration
- Employer-driven certification requirements
- Philadelphia and Pittsburgh healthcare systems typically require ARRT MRI
- Rural facilities may accept ARMRIT certification
Salary range: $70,000 to $95,000. Philadelphia metro pays highest.
Clinical sites: Tesla MR has clinical training sites in Pennsylvania, including the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh metro areas.
Ohio
Licensing: Ohio does not require a state license for MRI technologists.
Certification accepted: ARRT MRI or ARMRIT.
Key details:
- No state license requirement
- Employers set certification expectations
- Ohio’s large hospital systems (Cleveland Clinic, Ohio State) typically require ARRT MRI
- Smaller facilities and outpatient centers may accept ARMRIT
Salary range: $65,000 to $85,000. Cleveland and Columbus pay at the higher end.
Clinical sites: Tesla MR has clinical training sites in Ohio’s major metro areas.
Illinois
Licensing: Illinois requires MRI technologists to be licensed through the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA). This is part of the state’s broader radiologic technologist licensing framework.
Certification accepted: ARRT MRI or ARMRIT.
Key details:
- License application through IEMA
- Must hold national certification
- Accredited education program completion required
- Renewal with CE credits
- Chicago-area facilities have additional credentialing requirements
Salary range: $70,000 to $100,000. Chicago metro pays significantly more than downstate.
Clinical sites: Tesla MR maintains clinical sites in the Chicago metro area and throughout Illinois.
Georgia
Licensing: Georgia does not require a state license for MRI technologists.
Certification accepted: ARRT MRI or ARMRIT.
Key details:
- No state licensing requirement
- Major healthcare systems in Atlanta (Emory, Piedmont, Wellstar) require national certification
- Growing demand due to population growth in the Atlanta metro
Salary range: $65,000 to $90,000. Atlanta metro pays at the higher end.
Clinical sites: Tesla MR has clinical training sites in the Atlanta metro and other Georgia locations.
Arizona
Licensing: Arizona requires MRI technologists to be certified through the Arizona Department of Health Services. The state has specific regulations for medical imaging professionals.
Certification accepted: ARRT MRI or ARMRIT.
Key details:
- State certification through ADHS required
- Must hold national certification
- Background check and fingerprint clearance card required
- Renewal with CE credits
Salary range: $70,000 to $95,000. Phoenix and Tucson are the primary markets.
Clinical sites: Tesla MR has clinical training sites in Arizona, primarily in the Phoenix metro area.
Michigan
Licensing: Michigan does not require a state license for MRI technologists.
Certification accepted: ARRT MRI or ARMRIT.
Key details:
- No state license requirement
- Large health systems (Beaumont, Henry Ford, Michigan Medicine) require national certification
- Detroit metro area has the highest concentration of MRI positions
Salary range: $65,000 to $88,000. Detroit and Ann Arbor pay at the higher end.
Clinical sites: Tesla MR has clinical training sites in Michigan.
North Carolina
Licensing: North Carolina does not require a state license specifically for MRI technologists. The state licenses radiologic technologists but MRI falls outside that regulation.
Certification accepted: ARRT MRI or ARMRIT.
Key details:
- No MRI-specific state license
- Major systems (Duke, Atrium, Wake Forest Baptist) require national certification
- Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham are the primary job markets
Salary range: $65,000 to $88,000. Research Triangle and Charlotte metro areas pay highest.
Clinical sites: Tesla MR has clinical training sites in North Carolina.
Massachusetts
Licensing: Massachusetts requires licensure for radiologic technologists, and MRI technologists working in facilities that use ionizing radiation alongside MRI may need state credentials. The licensing framework is administered by the Board of Registration of Allied Health Professionals.
Certification accepted: ARRT MRI or ARMRIT.
Key details:
- State licensing may apply depending on your facility and scope
- Boston healthcare market (Mass General, Brigham, Beth Israel) requires ARRT MRI in most cases
- Higher bar for entry but also higher compensation
- CE requirements for renewal
Salary range: $85,000 to $110,000. Boston metro pays among the highest in the country.
Clinical sites: Tesla MR has clinical training sites in Massachusetts.
Washington State
Licensing: Washington requires MRI technologists to hold a state license issued by the Washington State Department of Health. Washington recently updated its regulations to explicitly include ARMRIT certification as qualifying for licensure.
Certification accepted: ARRT MRI or ARMRIT (both now accepted for state licensure).
Key details:
- State license required through WA DOH
- ARMRIT certification explicitly accepted as of recent legislative updates
- Background check required
- CE requirements for renewal
- Seattle metro has the highest demand and pay
Salary range: $85,000 to $110,000. Seattle metro commands premium pay.
Clinical sites: Tesla MR has clinical training sites in Washington state.
Connecticut
Licensing: Connecticut requires licensure for radiologic technologists through the Connecticut Department of Public Health. MRI technologists may fall under this licensing framework depending on the facility.
Certification accepted: ARRT MRI or ARMRIT.
Key details:
- State license may be required depending on facility type
- Must hold national certification
- Background check required
- Renewal with CE credits
Salary range: $75,000 to $100,000.
Clinical sites: Tesla MR has clinical training sites in Connecticut.
All Other States
For states not listed above, here is the general framework:
States with no MRI-specific licensing: The majority of states, including but not limited to Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
In these states:
- No state license is required specifically for MRI technologists
- Employers require national certification (ARRT MRI or ARMRIT)
- Clinical training requirements follow national certification standards
- Salaries range from $60,000 to $95,000 depending on metro area and cost of living
How to Get Started Regardless of Your State
The process is the same no matter where you live:
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Choose your certification path. If you already hold ARRT certification in another modality, the post-primary MRI pathway makes sense. If you are a career changer or healthcare worker without a radiology credential, an ARMRIT-approved program is your path.
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Complete your education. Programs range from 12 to 24 months depending on format and your starting point.
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Finish clinical training. You need supervised clinical hours at active MRI sites. Programs that handle clinical placement for you save significant time and stress.
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Pass your certification exam. Either the ARRT MRI specialty exam or the ARMRIT exam.
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Apply for state licensing if required. Check your state’s requirements above. If your state requires it, apply after passing your certification exam.
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Start working. The national median salary is $88,180, and demand is growing at 6% annually according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Why Clinical Placement Matters More Than Your State
The biggest challenge in becoming an MRI technologist is not passing the exam or meeting state requirements. It is finding a clinical site where you can complete your required hours.
Many programs leave clinical placement to the student. That means cold-calling hospitals, competing with other students for limited spots, and potentially delaying your graduation by months.
Programs that own their clinical site relationships and place students directly eliminate this bottleneck. Tesla MR Institute maintains partnerships with over 334 clinical sites across 38 states, handling placement as part of the program.
Key Takeaways
- Most states do not require a specific MRI license. National certification is what matters for employment.
- California, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Arizona, Washington, and Connecticut have some form of state licensing or certification requirement for MRI technologists.
- ARRT MRI and ARMRIT are the two national certifications accepted everywhere.
- Clinical placement is the most important factor in choosing a program, not which state you live in.
- Salaries vary from $60,000 in lower-cost markets to $120,000+ in California and the Northeast.
Next Steps
- Read the full How to Become an MRI Technologist guide for a detailed step-by-step walkthrough.
- Compare MRI Tech Program Costs and Details to understand what you will invest.
- Learn about MRI Tech Certification Paths to choose between ARRT and ARMRIT.
- Explore MRI Technologist Salary Data by state and specialty.