Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Who needs to be licensed under the Board of Medical Examiners as an X-Ray Operator?
A: T.C.A. 63-6-902(g)(6) defines physician’s offices as anywhere the practice of medicine as defined in 63-6-204, or the practice of osteopathic medicine as defined in 63-9-106 includes the performance of radiologic imaging or radiation therapy procedures contemplated by this section is conducted.

Q: How do I renew my license?
A: You can renew online or by paper renewal application. To renew online, please visit https://apps.tn.gov/hlrs/. To renew using the paper renewal application you receive in the mail, please complete the paper renewal application, and return it along with the required renewal fee to the address specified on the renewal notice. If you lose the paper application you received in the mail, you can contact us at 615-532-4384 for a generic renewal notice to be e-mailed to you.

Approximately ninety (90) days in advance of your expiration date, you will receive a paper or electronic renewal notice notifying you of your upcoming expiration. Individuals who are “opted in” to receive electronic notifications from our office will receive the notification at the email address we have on file. Licensees who did not opt in will receive a paper renewal notice.

Q: My license is due to renew, where do I send proof of my continuing education?
A: The Board is not a records keeper of your continuing education. You will only be requested to send in continuing education proof if you are randomly selected for an audit after renewing your license.

Q: What happens if I failed to meet the required continuing education hours?
A: The Board may conduct a continuing education audit of any licensee after the licensee renews. Upon receipt of the audit notice, if you fail to provide the required continuing education then the Board’s administrative office will enforce the Board’s policy on continuing education.

Q: How many total hours of continuing education am I required to complete each year?
A: Each person certified by the Board must biennially attend and complete twenty (20) hours of radiological related continuing education in courses approved by the Board.

Two (2) of the required twenty (20) biennial continuing education hours must be pertaining to appropriate statutes, rules and regulations, and other subjects that would be directly related to compliance with, and/or penalties for non-compliance with the statutes, rules and regulations. This course must include content pertaining to the A.R.R.T.'s Standards of Ethics if the certificate holder is fully certified.

Q: How do I know whether a particular course is acceptable to the Board?
A: Courses to be offered for credit toward the required continuing education hours must, unless otherwise provided, receive prior approval from the Board.

The following courses need not receive prior approval and shall constitute Board approved continuing education courses:
1. Courses sponsored or approved by any of the following organizations:
(i) Tennessee Society of Radiologic Technologists
(ii) Tennessee Radiological Society
(iii) Tennessee Medical Association
(iv) American Medical Association
(v) American Society of Radiologic Technologists
(vi) American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
(vii) American College of Radiology

Q: How do I request a duplicate of my certificate?
A: You can request a duplicate certificate after logging into your online account here: https://apps.tn.gov/hlrs/. From a drop down on the main menu, select Request a Duplicate Renewal Certificate or Duplicate Wall Certificate. The Duplicate Renewal Certificate will be a duplicate of the small certificate with your expiration date on it and it is free. The Duplicate Wall Certificate will be a duplicate of the large brown certificate, and costs $25. The certificate(s) will print and be mailed to the mailing address we have on file. We cannot provide an electronic copy of your license.

Q: How do I file a complaint on an X-Ray Operator?
A: Contact the Bureau of Investigations at 1-800-852-2187; 615-532-3421
https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/health-professional-boards/report-a-concern.html

Q: I am retiring from the practice as an X-Ray Operator. What should I do?
A: You may retire your x-ray license with the submission of an affidavit of retirement. You may access the affidavit here: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/PH-3460.pdf. There is no fee to retire your license; however, should you seek to reinstate your license at a later date, the Committee may require that you submit evidence that you have maintained your clinical competency.

Application Processing Questions

Q: How can I contact the Committee’s Office?
A: You can reach us by phone at 615-532-4384. All documents being mailed to our office should be sent to: Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners – X-Ray Operators, 665 Mainstream Drive, Nashville, TN 37243.

Q: I allowed my Tennessee X-ray license to lapse. How do I reactivate my license?
A: You must submit a reinstatement application to seek active licensure again: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/PH-3556.pdf

Q: I voluntarily retired my Tennessee x-ray license. How do I reactivate my license?
A: You must submit a reinstatement application to seek active licensure again: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/PH-3556.pdf

Q: How do I check the status of my license application?
A: You may confirm that your application is in progress through our license verification page: https://apps.health.tn.gov/Licensure/default.aspx.

The Board’s administrative staff makes every effort to keep applicants apprised of their application status. This includes an effort to send deficiency letters to applicants every couple of weeks. Frequent calls and emails to our office for license status updates interrupt our administrators’ work processes and reduce the amount of time available to review applications and correspond with applicants regarding application deficiencies.

Q: How do I complete the background check process and what is my OCA number?
A: Follow this link for instructions on how to complete your background check. Your OCA Number is 1637.
https://www.tn.gov/health/health-professionals/criminal-background-check/cbc-instructions.html

Q: May I work while waiting for my license/certificate to be ratified by the Board?
A: Yes, if you have been issued a license/certificate number you are allowed to commence practice in Tennessee. If your license/certificate is not ratified by the Board you will be promptly notified to suspend your practice in Tennessee with an explanation for why your license/certificate was not ratified.

Q: Can my application be expedited if I have an employment opportunity pending the approval of my application?
A: No. Applications are reviewed and considered in the order in which they are received. To emphasize this point, the application instructions recommend that you do not make arrangements to accept employment to practice in Tennessee prior to being issued a license number. Requesting documents from outside organizations or others could be done prior to submitting your application which would assist in your file being promptly complete.