Limited x-ray license: limited scope operators by state

A limited x-ray license or permit exists in 27 of the 50 states and DC. Pick a state to see whether it has one and what a full radiographer needs there.

The state rules apply where you take the images

Example: Texas· change any figure to see your own result

Texas: limited x-ray credential

Yes

A limited certification, issued by Texas Medical Board

Limited x-ray operatorYes: a limited certification
Full radiographerYes, a state certification
States and DC with a limited credential27

Rule from the ASRT state table, checked against the page of Texas Medical Board on November 13, 2026.

How this is computed

Compiled by Radif Partners · How the rules were read

A limited x-ray machine operator, also called a limited scope radiographer or basic x-ray machine operator, takes a restricted range of x-ray images, often in smaller health care settings, after a shorter training than a radiographer. Read on November 13, 2026, the ASRT table lists a state credential for limited technologists in 27 jurisdictions: a license in 14, a permit in 7 (California, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, Oregon, West Virginia, Wisconsin), a certification or certificate in the others. State pages add detail: Louisiana issues two-year Limited X-Ray Machine Operator permits since January 2026 after the ARRT limited scope exam for Louisiana; Montana charges $60 a year to renew a limited permit and asks six hours of continuing education; Colorado registers limited scope operators for two years; Minnesota has required registration since August 1, 2020; Ohio’s general x-ray machine operators pass a state exam. ARRT develops and administers a Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography exam for state licensing.

Limited x-ray license: the states that issue one

Limited technologist credentials (ASRT table, read November 13, 2026)
StateLimited credentialFull radiographer
ArizonacertificationYes, a state certification
ArkansaslicenseYes, a state license
CaliforniapermitYes, a state certification
DelawarecertificateYes, a state certificate
FloridacertificationYes, a state certification
IndianalicenseYes, a state license
IowapermitYes, a state permit
KentuckylicenseYes, a state license
MainelicenseYes, a state license
MinnesotalicenseNo state license; a training standard applies
MississippipermitYes, a state registration
MontanapermitYes, a state license
NebraskalicenseYes, a state license
NevadalicenseYes, a state license
New HampshirelicenseYes, a state license
New JerseylicenseYes, a state license
New MexicocertificationYes, a state certification
North DakotalicenseYes, a state license
OhiolicenseYes, a state license
OregonpermitYes, a state license
South CarolinacertificationYes, a state certification
TexascertificationYes, a state certification
UtahlicenseYes, a state license
VirginialicenseYes, a state license
West VirginiapermitYes, a state license
WisconsinpermitYes, a state license
WyominglicenseYes, a state license

Two states without a limited credential in the table still name the role on their own pages: Maryland’s Board of Physicians lists a Limited X-Ray Machine Operator, and Washington’s Department of Health lists an X-ray technician with limited scope. The state pages of this site cite those pages.

And for a full radiographer in your state?

Example: Texas· change any figure to see your own result

Texas: state credential to take x-rays

Yes

Yes, a state certification

What the state issuesYes, a state certification
Issued byTexas Medical Board
Limited x-ray operatorYes: a limited certification
ARRT primary exam$225
Full calculator: Rad tech license by state →

Exams for limited operators

ARRT writes that it developed and administers three exams specifically for state licensing: Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography, Bone Densitometry Equipment Operator and Fluoroscopy. California runs its own limited permit exam, Illinois requires its exam before accreditation, and Texas has a limited technologist exam. For the full route, see how to become a radiology tech.

Questions students and technologists ask

Tap a question to see the answer.

What is a limited scope x-ray license?

A state credential that allows someone who is not a full radiographer to take certain x-rays, within a scope the state defines. Each state sets the scope, the training and the exam; ARRT administers a limited scope exam that many of them use.

Can a limited x-ray operator become a radiologic technologist?

Not with the limited credential alone: a full radiographer license requires an accredited radiography program and the ARRT radiography exam. Some limited operators go on to such a program; check whether your clinical hours count with the school. The program alone decides what prior experience it accepts.

Is the Louisiana LXMO permit new?

Yes. The Louisiana State Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners began issuing Limited X-Ray Machine Operator permits in January 2026. After an approved program, a clinical competency log and the ARRT limited scope exam for Louisiana, the permit lasts two years and needs no direct supervision.

Next steps

Rad tech license by state

39 jurisdictions issue a credential to radiographers; the word each uses, and the 12 that do not.

How to become a radiology tech

Program, ARRT exam, state license: the route, its cost in your state and the states that license.

ARRT exam cost

Primary $225, postprimary $225, through ARDMS or NMTCB $450: your total.

Moving to another state

Licensed in one state, moving to another: whether you need a new state credential, and where to apply.

State tables, agency pages, fee pages and federal files behind this page (7)

Each form number, fee, length and signer list was read on these official documents on November 13, 2026.

Compiled by

Independent publisher of state-by-state licensing rules and exam cost calculators for sonographers and radiologic technologists. Paid by no one: no school lead, no affiliate link, no paid placement.

Checked on · Editorial policy · Contact

The answers apply the ASRT state table and the agency pages read on November 13, 2026, and the IPEDS files for 2023-24. Rules change: your state agency decides.