West Virginia Radiologic Technologist Licensing Guide

Most of the radiology family in West Virginia runs on the general license. A handful of credentials genuinely diverge, and those are the ones worth reading closely. Below is one subsection per real difference, then roll-up lines for everything else.

CT Technologist

Divergence: specialty difference. Computed tomography performed under the general Radiography License; no distinct state CT credential for radiographers.

• Credential: Active WV Radiography License; CT is performed under that license. Facilities credential CT competency against the holder's ARRT post-primary CT certification. (Note: a separate diagnostic-CT credential only arises for Nuclear Medicine technologists, who need ARRT/NMTCB CT certification, see Nuclear Medicine tier.)

MRI Technologist

Divergence: separate license. Medical imaging using radio waves, magnetic fields and a computer to produce images of body tissues.

• Fee: $92 application, $60 renewal, every 1 year
• Credential: Separate WV Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) License (or MRI Apprentice License) issued by the WV Medical Imaging & Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners

How it differs from the general license: Unlike most states, West Virginia regulates MRI even though it uses no ionizing radiation: MRI requires its own distinct state license rather than being left to the facility. A radiographer must add the MRI license (or hold an MRI apprentice license) to practice MRI.

Radiation Therapist

Divergence: separate license. Defined scope of practice for a Radiation Therapist under WV Code §30-23-11 (delivery of therapeutic radiation under a licensed practitioner's prescription).

• Fee: $92 application, $60 renewal, every 1 year
• Credential: Separate WV Radiation Therapy License issued by the WV Medical Imaging & Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners (typically ARRT(T) certification or board-approved equivalent)

How it differs from the general license: Radiation therapy is a distinct state license, not covered by the general Radiography License; additional licensing is required to work in radiation therapy.

Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Divergence: separate license. Compounding, calibrating, dispensing and administering radiopharmaceuticals/radionuclides under an NRC-authorized user, for diagnostic and/or therapeutic imaging. PET/CT is addressed via the diagnostic-CT license variant.

• Fee: $92 application, $60 renewal, every 1 year
• Credential: Separate WV Nuclear Medicine License issued by the WV Medical Imaging & Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners (NMTCB or ARRT(N) certification). For diagnostic CT on a multimodality scanner, the NM technologist needs additional ARRT/NMTCB CT certification (Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic CT License); a CT Fusion Permit authorizes non-diagnostic fusion CT only

How it differs from the general license: Nuclear medicine is a separate state license, not part of the general Radiography License; additional licensing is required. CT performed by an NM technologist requires a specific CT credential (diagnostic-CT license variant) or a CT Fusion Permit for non-diagnostic fusion imaging.

Sonographer / Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound

Divergence: no state credential. Diagnostic medical ultrasound / sonography.

• Credential: None at the state level. Sonography uses no ionizing radiation and is outside the board's licensing scheme; competency is credentialed by the employer (typically against ARDMS/ARRT(S) certification)

How it differs from the general license: West Virginia does not require a license to work in ultrasound; sonography falls outside the Medical Imaging & Radiation Therapy Technology Board's licensing scheme (no ionizing radiation), and the hiring facility credentials the role.

Limited-Scope X-Ray Operator (Podiatric Medical Assistant Permit)

Divergence: limited-scope tier. Performance of podiatric radiographs confined to the foot and ankle on dedicated podiatric x-ray equipment only.

• Credential: Podiatric Medical Assistant Permit issued by the WV Medical Imaging & Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners. There is no general state-issued limited-scope x-ray operator permit for full-body radiography; dental radiography is handled by an exemption (dental assistants/hygienists under a dentist), not a permit

How it differs from the general license: This is a narrow, dedicated-equipment permit limited to foot/ankle radiographs on podiatric units, far below the full Radiography License scope. West Virginia does not appear to offer a general limited-scope x-ray operator license; dental imaging is covered by a statutory exemption rather than a limited permit.

Medical Physicist

Divergence: no state credential. Medical physics (imaging/therapy equipment QA, dosimetry).

• Credential: None from this board. Medical physicists are not among West Virginia's licensed medical-imaging credential categories (the board licenses radiography, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, and MRI). State medical-physicist licensure is uncommon and typically cited only for TX/FL/HI/NY

How it differs from the general license: West Virginia's medical imaging board does not license medical physicists; the role is outside the §30-23 credential set entirely. Any oversight would fall under radiation control/registration of radiation machines rather than an imaging-technologist license.

Specialties that follow the general West Virginia license

These run under the general radiologic technologist license and need no separate state credential: Mammography.

Before you pay: confirm your modality

Within radiology, whether a modality needs its own state credential is not consistent, and it is the thing travelers most often get wrong. MRI, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, sonography, and CT can each be a separate state license in one state, a facility credential checked against your ARRT registration in the next, and nothing extra in a third.

The divergences we verified for West Virginia are above. What we cannot see is your specific assignment and the site you land at. Before you submit any application fee for an advanced modality, confirm with your recruiter whether West Virginia issues a state credential for it or whether the facility handles that against your certification. We would rather you ask first than pay for something the role never required.