MRI technologist licensing in Minnesota
Minnesota does not require a specific state license for MRI technologists. MRI uses magnetic fields, not ionizing radiation, so it falls outside most state radiologic technology licensing requirements. Employers require national certification through ARRT or ARMRIT.
Both ARRT and ARMRIT certifications are accepted by most Minnesota employers. The MRI staffing shortage has made facilities across the state increasingly flexible about certification type, with outpatient imaging centers and community hospitals leading the way in accepting ARMRIT-certified technologists.
Key Takeaway
Minnesota does not require a state license for MRI technologists. Employers require national certification (ARRT or ARMRIT), and both are widely accepted across the state.
MRI tech programs in Minnesota
Tesla MR Institute (hybrid, statewide)
Tesla MR Institute’s program is designed for people entering MRI directly, including career changers and healthcare workers without radiology backgrounds.
Key details:
- Duration: 12-18 months
- Prerequisite: None. No prior radiology credentials required.
- Format: Online didactic coursework combined with in-person clinical rotations at local Minnesota sites
- Clinical sites in Minnesota: 2+ facilities across the state
- Certification: Prepares for ARMRIT certification
- Cost: $6,450 (full program, payment plans available)
- Strength: Accessible to career changers, flexible schedule, affordable
Traditional pathway (ARRT)
If you already hold ARRT certification in radiography or another primary modality, you can add MRI as a post-primary specialty through structured clinical experience and the ARRT MRI exam. Contact local radiologic technology programs or your employer for post-primary training opportunities in Minnesota.
Tip
For a detailed comparison of ARRT vs ARMRIT pathways, read our ARRT vs ARMRIT comparison guide.
MRI technologist salary in Minnesota
MRI technologists in Minnesota earn an average of approximately $82K per year, with salaries ranging from $68K-$95K depending on metro area, experience, and facility type.
The national median for MRI technologists is $88,180 according to May 2024 BLS data.
Entry-level MRI technologists in Minnesota typically start at the lower end of this range. With 3-5 years of experience and specialty skills (cardiac MRI, breast MRI, pediatric), salaries move toward the upper range. Travel MRI techs working Minnesota assignments can earn premium weekly rates.
For a deeper dive into MRI tech compensation, see our MRI technologist salary guide and salary by state breakdown.
Clinical training sites in Minnesota
Tesla MR Institute has 5+ clinical training sites across Minnesota, with concentrations in Brooklyn Center, St. Louis Park.
Most Minnesota students are placed within 30-45 minutes of their home. The larger metro areas have the most available sites and the quickest placement timelines.
Employer Tip
If you are a facility manager in Minnesota interested in hosting MRI training students, Tesla MR Institute partners with hospitals and imaging centers across the state. See our clinical site partnership page for details.
How to become an MRI tech in Minnesota
Path 1: Career changers (ARMRIT)
- Confirm eligibility. You need a high school diploma or GED. Healthcare experience is preferred but not required.
- Enroll in an ARMRIT-approved program. Tesla MR Institute’s hybrid program lets you complete didactic coursework online while doing clinical rotations at a Minnesota facility.
- Complete clinical hours. Log supervised clinical training at one of 2+ Minnesota sites.
- Pass the ARMRIT exam. After completing your program and clinical requirements, sit for the ARMRIT certification exam.
- Apply for jobs. Your ARMRIT certification is your credential.
Path 2: Existing rad techs (ARRT post-primary)
- Confirm ARRT eligibility. You need current ARRT certification in a primary pathway.
- Complete post-primary MRI requirements. Through employer-sponsored clinical experience or structured education.
- Pass the ARRT MRI exam.
- Update your credentials. Your ARRT(MR) certification goes on your resume.
For a broader look at requirements across all states, see our state-by-state guide.
MRI licensing in Minnesota
Minnesota does not require a specific state license for MRI technologists. The state does not regulate MRI under its radiologic technology statutes. Employers require ARRT(MR) or ARMRIT certification. Minnesota’s healthcare market, home to the Mayo Clinic, holds imaging professionals to exceptionally high standards, and many employers prefer candidates with advanced certifications or multi-modality experience.
Employers throughout Minnesota accept both ARRT(MR) and ARMRIT certification. Tesla MR Institute’s program prepares you for the ARMRIT exam, which does not require prior X-ray credentials.
MRI salary by metro in Minnesota
MRI technologists in Minnesota earn $74K-$100K per year depending on location and experience. Minnesota MRI tech salaries are close to the national median of $88K, with the Rochester area (home to Mayo Clinic) and Minneapolis-St. Paul metro typically paying at or above the national average.
| Metro Area | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | $78K-$100K |
| Rochester | $76K-$96K |
| Duluth-Superior | $70K-$88K |
| St. Cloud | $68K-$86K |
Where MRI techs work in Minnesota
Major healthcare employers in Minnesota include Mayo Clinic, Allina Health, Fairview Health Services (M Health Fairview), Sanford Health, HealthPartners, CentraCare. These systems operate hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, and specialty clinics across the state.
Minnesota is home to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, one of the most prestigious medical institutions in the world, which attracts top imaging talent globally and drives excellence across the state’s entire healthcare workforce. The Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area is one of the most competitive healthcare labor markets in the Midwest, with Allina Health, Fairview, and HealthPartners competing aggressively for MRI technologists. Minnesota’s strong economy, high quality of life, and excellent schools make it an attractive long-term destination, though the climate is a factor for some candidates.
More resources
- How to become an MRI technologist — step-by-step career guide
- MRI technologist salary guide — pay by state, setting, and experience
- MRI technologist requirements — what employers verify
- ARRT vs ARMRIT certification — choose the right credential path