Do You Need a Radiation Therapist License? State-by-State Guide
Radiation therapists administer radiation treatments to cancer patients under the direction of radiation oncologists. Many states require radiation therapists to be licensed due to the safety implications of working with ionizing radiation.
Quick Answer
40 of 51 states require a state-level radiation therapist license or certification.
State-by-State Radiation Therapist License Requirements
The table below shows whether each state requires a state-level radiation therapist license, the regulation level (where available), and a link to the relevant licensing authority.
| State | License Required | Regulation Level | Board Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | ✗ Not Required | — | Visit Board |
| Alaska | ✗ Not Required | — | Visit Board |
| Arizona | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Arkansas | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| California | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Colorado | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Connecticut | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Delaware | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| District of Columbia | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Florida | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Georgia | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Hawaii | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Idaho | ✗ Not Required | — | Visit Board |
| Illinois | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Indiana | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Iowa | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Kansas | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Kentucky | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Louisiana | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Maine | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Maryland | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Massachusetts | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Michigan | ✗ Not Required | — | Visit Board |
| Minnesota | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Mississippi | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Missouri | ✗ Not Required | — | Visit Board |
| Montana | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Nebraska | ✗ Not Required | — | Visit Board |
| Nevada | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| New Hampshire | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| New Jersey | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| New Mexico | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| New York | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| North Carolina | ✗ Not Required | — | Visit Board |
| North Dakota | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Ohio | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Oklahoma | ✗ Not Required | — | Visit Board |
| Oregon | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Pennsylvania | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Rhode Island | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| South Carolina | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| South Dakota | ✗ Not Required | — | Visit Board |
| Tennessee | ✗ Not Required | — | Visit Board |
| Texas | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Utah | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Vermont | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Virginia | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Washington | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| West Virginia | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
| Wisconsin | ✗ Not Required | — | Visit Board |
| Wyoming | ✓ Required | — | Visit Board |
What If My State Doesn't Require a License?
Even if your state does not mandate a state-level radiation therapist license, you may still need to meet local requirements. Many cities and counties impose their own licensing, registration, or permit requirements. Additionally, voluntary certification from professional organizations can enhance your credibility and job prospects. Always check with your local government and relevant professional associations.
How to Get Licensed
If your state requires a radiation therapist license, requirements typically include completing an approved education or training program, passing an exam, and submitting an application with applicable fees. Specific requirements vary by state — visit your state's licensing board website (linked in the table above) for detailed information on the application process.
Requirements change — always verify with your state's licensing authority.
Check Your State's Requirements
See the full licensing requirements for your state, including fees, education hours, and exams.