How to get certified as a radiation therapist in Arizona

Arizona requires radiation therapists to hold a state certificate in addition to ARRT. If you're a travel or locum therapist thinking about Arizona, here's a plain-language overview of how it works. Always confirm current forms and fees with ADHS before you apply.

Two ways to qualify

1. The ARRT route

The standard initial application asks for a copy of your current ARRT certification. If you have ARRT R.T.(T), this is usually the simplest path. You'll also complete ADHS's application information and pay the application fee.

2. Universal license recognition (out-of-state route)

Arizona's universal license recognition law, A.R.S. § 32-4302, lets you qualify based on a license or certificate from another state. In general you must:

• Have held a license or certificate in another state for at least one year, with the same scope of practice
• Be in good standing in every state where you're licensed
• Have met that state's education requirements, plus any work-experience or supervision requirements
• Have no pending complaints or investigations, and not have surrendered a license while under investigation

What to have ready

• Your ARRT number and a copy of your ARRT card
• Documentation of every professional license or certificate you hold (for the out-of-state route)
• A completed citizenship or lawful-presence form, with a copy of an acceptable document such as a U.S. passport or birth certificate
• A government photo ID, if your citizenship document doesn't have a photo
• A name-change document, such as a marriage certificate, if your name differs across documents
• Court records and an explanation for any past convictions, or for any discipline on a license
• The application fee. ADHS's 2021 reciprocity form lists $100, paid by cashier's check or money order to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Check the current amount before you send it.

Tips from a locum who's been through it

• Start early. ADHS doesn't publish a set processing time on the form, so don't accept a start date that depends on your certificate arriving fast.
• Leave nothing blank. ADHS says blank fields or missing pages lead to a request for more information, which delays your application.
• Make copies of everything you mail, and note the date it was sent.
• Keep it active. Once certified, track your renewal date alongside your ARRT and BLS renewals.

Official sources

• ADHS reciprocity application (PDF)
• Arizona Administrative Code R9-16-609 (initial certification)

Last reviewed October 2026. This page is a general overview, not legal advice. Rules, forms and fees change, so confirm everything with ADHS.

Common questions