How to Become a Rad Tech in Ohio

Radiologic technologists in Ohio earn a median annual wage of $68,140 while working in one of health care's most stable fields—but the path requires navigating specific state licensing rules that differ from most other states. Unlike many health-care professions where national certification alone suffices, Ohio mandates a separate state license through the Ohio Department of Health, adding an extra step that catches many graduates off guard. If you can commit to a two-year associate degree, pass the national registry exam, and stay current with Ohio's biennial continuing education requirements, you'll enter a profession with 4% projected growth through 2034 and approximately 9,800 technologists already employed statewide.

The role involves more than operating X-ray machines. Radiologic technologists position patients for optimal imaging, adjust equipment settings to minimize radiation exposure while capturing diagnostic-quality images, and communicate with physicians about procedure protocols. You'll work on your feet for extended periods, lift or reposition patients who may be injured or in pain, and maintain strict safety protocols to protect yourself and others from radiation exposure.

What You Need to Become a Rad Tech in Ohio

The pathway to licensure in Ohio requires three distinct components that must align:

Education: Complete a Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)-accredited associate degree program. Ohio accepts only JRCERT accreditation for radiography programs, not CAAHEP, which accredits other allied health programs but not radiologic technology.

National certification: Pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Radiography exam. This 200-question exam covers patient care, radiation safety, image production, and procedures. The application fee is $225.

State licensure: Apply for an Ohio Radiographer license through the Ohio Department of Health online portal. As of September 25, 2025, you must create an OHID account to access the system. Online applications process in 1-3 days versus 2-3 weeks for mailed applications. The initial license fee is $65.

Ohio also offers a General X-ray Machine Operator (GXMO) license for limited-scope work under direct supervision, but this restricts your career mobility significantly. Radiographers work under general supervision, meaning a physician must be available for consultation but doesn't need to be present during procedures. GXMOs require a practitioner physically on-site at all times.

How Long Does It Take?

You can become a licensed radiologic technologist in Ohio in two years if you attend a full-time associate degree program. The timeline breaks down as follows:

Months 1-24: Complete a JRCERT-accredited associate degree program. These programs combine classroom instruction with clinical rotations at hospitals and imaging centers. You'll study anatomy, radiation physics, patient positioning, and image evaluation while logging hands-on hours with actual patients.

Immediately after graduation: Schedule and pass the ARRT Radiography exam. Most graduates take the exam within weeks of completing their program. ARRT posts results within 48 hours for computer-based testing.

1-3 days after passing ARRT: Apply for Ohio licensure online. The state processes online applications significantly faster than paper submissions.

Part-time programs extend this timeline to three years, and some students complete prerequisite courses before entering the radiography program itself, adding another semester or two. The federal government does not set minimum training hours for radiologic technologists, unlike certified nursing assistants. Instead, accreditation standards through JRCERT ensure programs meet educational benchmarks.

Ohio Radiologic Technology Programs

Ohio hosts multiple JRCERT-accredited programs across the state, offering options in urban centers and smaller communities. Programs vary in cost, clinical partnerships, and whether they offer evening or weekend options for working students.

Programs typically require prerequisite courses in anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology before you can enter the radiography-specific coursework. Admission is competitive. Most programs accept one cohort per year with class sizes ranging from 12 to 24 students. You'll need to submit transcripts, complete a background check, provide immunization records, and often interview with program faculty.

Clinical rotations make up roughly half your training time. You'll work at affiliated hospitals and imaging centers under the supervision of registered technologists, performing actual procedures on patients. These rotations expose you to different imaging equipment, patient populations, and clinical workflows. Some programs partner with rural hospitals, requiring students to travel for clinical placements.

Certification and Licensure Requirements

The ARRT Radiography exam consists of 200 scored questions plus 30 unscored pilot questions. You must score 75 or higher on the overall exam and achieve section scores of at least 7.5 in two specific areas: abdomen and OB-GYN procedures. The exam covers four content categories:

• Patient Care (33 questions): Patient interactions, medical emergencies, infection control
• Safety (50 questions): Radiation physics, radiobiology, and protection protocols
• Image Production (51 questions): Image acquisition, evaluation, equipment operation, quality assurance
• Procedures (66 questions): Positioning and imaging protocols for head, spine, pelvis, thorax, abdomen, and extremities

ARRT uses scaled scoring, meaning raw scores convert to a standardized scale. You can retake the exam if you fail, but you must wait at least 90 days between attempts and pay the $225 application fee each time.

Ohio licensure requires maintaining both ARRT certification and state registration. The state does not accept ARRT certification alone as sufficient to practice. You must hold an active Ohio Radiographer license, which expires biennially on your birthday. Renewal requires:

• $45 renewal fee
• 24 continuing education credits completed within the two-year period
• Active ARRT certification (which also requires 24 CE credits biennially)

If you let your license lapse more than 30 days past expiration, Ohio charges a $65 reinstatement fee and may require you to retake the state exam if your ARRT certification is not current. The state offers expedited processing for military service members, veterans, and their spouses, reviewing applications within five business days instead of the standard timeline.

Salary and Job Outlook in Ohio

Radiologic technologists in Ohio earned a median annual wage of $68,140 as of May 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This translates to a median hourly wage of $32.48. The national median for the same period was $77,660 annually, meaning Ohio wages trail the national average by roughly 12%.

Salary varies by work setting, experience, and geographic location within Ohio:

Metropolitan areas offer higher wages than rural regions. Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati provide the most job opportunities and typically pay above the state median. Smaller cities like Akron, Dayton, and Toledo offer competitive wages with lower costs of living.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4% growth for radiologic technologists nationally from 2024 to 2034, adding approximately 9,800 new jobs. Growth stems from an aging population requiring more diagnostic imaging and the increasing prevalence of chronic conditions that demand ongoing monitoring. Ohio employed approximately 9,830 radiologic technologists as of May 2023, making it a mid-sized market for the profession.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

Radiologic technologists work in physically active environments. You'll stand for most of your shift, often for 8 to 12 hours with minimal breaks during busy periods. The role requires lifting or repositioning patients who may be injured, unconscious, or unable to move independently. Many patients weigh more than you can safely lift alone, requiring you to coordinate with other staff or use mechanical lift equipment.

Radiation exposure is an inherent occupational hazard, though safety protocols minimize risk. You'll wear a dosimeter badge that tracks cumulative radiation exposure over time. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires employers to follow ALARA principles—As Low As Reasonably Achievable—to minimize unnecessary exposure. This means maximizing distance from radiation sources, minimizing time near active equipment, and using shielding devices like lead aprons, gloves, and thyroid shields.

Most radiologic technologists work full-time schedules. Hospitals operate 24/7, requiring some technologists to work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Emergency departments need imaging services around the clock, and trauma cases don't follow business hours. Outpatient imaging centers typically maintain regular daytime schedules Monday through Friday, though some extend hours into evenings or Saturdays.

The work involves emotional demands alongside physical ones. You'll interact with patients experiencing pain, fear, or anxiety about their diagnosis. Some patients are combative due to dementia, intoxication, or psychiatric conditions. Pediatric imaging requires patience and skill in working with frightened children and anxious parents. You'll also encounter patients with infectious diseases, requiring strict adherence to infection control protocols.

Career Advancement and Specialization

Radiologic technologists can pursue postprimary certifications through ARRT to specialize in advanced imaging modalities. These credentials require active ARRT Radiography certification, 16 hours of structured education in the specialty area, and documentation of specific clinical procedures performed within 24 months of applying. Each specialty has its own exam with a $225 application fee.

Common specializations include:

Computed Tomography (CT): Cross-sectional imaging using X-rays and computer processing. CT technologists must document at least nine procedures per day during clinical training, with a maximum of nine entries allowed per day. Mercy College of Ohio offers an online CT certificate program for registered technologists.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Imaging using magnetic fields and radio waves instead of ionizing radiation. MRI requires understanding physics principles different from traditional radiography. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center offers a 6-month MRI educational program combining approximately 350 hours of didactic education with 1,000 hours of clinical training. Clinical documentation allows a maximum of seven entries per day.

Mammography: Breast imaging for cancer screening and diagnosis. Mammography technologists can log up to 16 clinical entries per day during training. This specialty requires additional attention to patient communication and positioning techniques specific to breast tissue.

Some technologists pursue bachelor's degrees to move into management, education, or advanced practice roles. Kent State University offers an online Bachelor of Radiologic and Imaging Sciences Technology designed for working technologists with associate degrees. These programs prepare graduates for roles like department supervisor, clinical coordinator, or program director at radiologic technology schools.

Continuing Education Requirements

Both ARRT and Ohio require 24 continuing education credits every two years to maintain certification and licensure. The requirements overlap, meaning credits that satisfy ARRT also count toward Ohio's mandate. You must complete CE activities within the biennium and report them during renewal.

ARRT accepts CE from approved providers, including:

• Online courses through ARRT-recognized organizations
• Professional society meetings and conferences
• Academic courses at accredited colleges (16 CE credits per semester credit hour)
• Advanced CPR certification through recognized providers (up to 6 credits per biennium)
• Authoring peer-reviewed articles in accepted medical journals

The ARRT biennial CE search tool helps you find approved activities. You must complete all required CE by the last day of the month before your birth month, then report credits during renewal by the last day of your birth month.

Radiologic technologists who earned ARRT credentials on or after January 1, 2011, must also complete Continuing Qualifications Requirements (CQR) every 10 years. This process includes creating a professional profile, completing a structured self-assessment to identify knowledge gaps, and completing prescribed CE in areas where the assessment reveals deficiencies. You have three years to complete the CQR cycle once it begins.

GXMO vs. Radiographer: Understanding the Difference

Ohio offers two types of radiologic licenses with significantly different scopes of practice. Understanding this distinction matters if you're considering a faster entry path or weighing career flexibility.

GXMOs complete a shorter didactic program approved by the Ohio Department of Health, pass a state-administered exam, and complete clinical training modules in specific procedure types like chest and abdomen, extremities, skull and sinuses, spine, or bone densitometry. The training takes less time than a full associate degree, but the license limits where and how you can work.

Direct supervision means a physician, podiatrist, mechanotherapist, or chiropractor must be physically present at the location where you're performing procedures. This restricts GXMO employment primarily to private physician offices and chiropractic clinics. Hospitals and imaging centers typically require Radiographer licenses because they need technologists who can work independently under general supervision.

Current GXMO licensees can convert to a Radiographer license by meeting the higher requirements and paying a $15 conversion fee instead of the standard $65 initial application fee. The converted license expires on the same date as the original GXMO license.

Making the Decision

Radiologic technology offers stable employment and clear advancement paths, but it demands physical stamina, attention to detail, and comfort working with radiation safety protocols. The two-year associate degree represents a significant but manageable time investment compared to four-year bachelor's programs or longer clinical training paths.

Consider this career if you want hands-on patient interaction combined with technical work, can handle the physical demands of standing and lifting throughout shifts, and are comfortable with the responsibility of radiation safety. The profession suits people who think systematically, follow protocols precisely, and communicate clearly with both patients and physicians.

The Ohio-specific licensing requirement adds administrative complexity but doesn't fundamentally change the career path. You'll complete the same JRCERT-accredited education and ARRT certification as technologists in other states, then add one additional application step for state licensure. The biennial renewal process requires planning ahead to complete continuing education credits, but the 24-credit requirement aligns with ARRT's national standard.

Salary in Ohio trails the national median, but the cost of living in most Ohio cities also runs below national averages. The approximately 9,800 technologists currently employed statewide indicate a stable job market without the severe shortages seen in some health-care professions, but also without the intense competition found in oversaturated fields.