MRI technologist licensing in Tennessee
Tennessee does not require a specific state license for MRI technologists. MRI uses magnetic fields, not ionizing radiation, so it falls outside most state radiologic technology licensing requirements. Employers require national certification through ARRT or ARMRIT.
Both ARRT and ARMRIT certifications are accepted by most Tennessee employers. The MRI staffing shortage has made facilities across the state increasingly flexible about certification type, with outpatient imaging centers and community hospitals leading the way in accepting ARMRIT-certified technologists.
Key Takeaway
Tennessee does not require a state license for MRI technologists. Employers require national certification (ARRT or ARMRIT), and both are widely accepted across the state.
MRI tech programs in Tennessee
Tesla MR Institute (hybrid, statewide)
Tesla MR Institute’s program is designed for people entering MRI directly, including career changers and healthcare workers without radiology backgrounds.
Key details:
- Duration: 12-18 months
- Prerequisite: None. No prior radiology credentials required.
- Format: Online didactic coursework combined with in-person clinical rotations at local Tennessee sites
- Clinical sites in Tennessee: 5+ facilities across the state
- Certification: Prepares for ARMRIT certification
- Cost: Starting at $11,000 (full program, payment plans available)
- Strength: Accessible to career changers, flexible schedule, affordable
Traditional pathway (ARRT)
If you already hold ARRT certification in radiography or another primary modality, you can add MRI as a post-primary specialty through structured clinical experience and the ARRT MRI exam. Contact local radiologic technology programs or your employer for post-primary training opportunities in Tennessee.
Tip
For a detailed comparison of ARRT vs ARMRIT pathways, read our ARRT vs ARMRIT comparison guide.
MRI technologist salary in Tennessee
MRI technologists in Tennessee earn an average of approximately $70K per year, with salaries ranging from $58K-$82K depending on metro area, experience, and facility type. The state has no income tax, which increases take-home pay.
The national median for MRI technologists is $88,180 according to May 2024 BLS data.
Entry-level MRI technologists in Tennessee typically start at the lower end of this range. With 3-5 years of experience and specialty skills (cardiac MRI, breast MRI, pediatric), salaries move toward the upper range. Travel MRI techs working Tennessee assignments can earn premium weekly rates.
For a deeper dive into MRI tech compensation, see our MRI technologist salary guide and salary by state breakdown.
Clinical training sites in Tennessee
Tesla MR Institute has 10+ clinical training sites across Tennessee, with concentrations in Smyrna, Murfreesboro, Manchester, Nashville.
Most Tennessee students are placed within 30-45 minutes of their home. The larger metro areas have the most available sites and the quickest placement timelines.
Employer Tip
If you are a facility manager in Tennessee interested in hosting MRI training students, Tesla MR Institute partners with hospitals and imaging centers across the state. See our clinical site partnership page for details.
How to become an MRI tech in Tennessee
Path 1: Career changers (ARMRIT)
- Confirm eligibility. You need a high school diploma or GED. Healthcare experience is preferred but not required.
- Enroll in an ARMRIT-approved program. Tesla MR Institute’s hybrid program lets you complete didactic coursework online while doing clinical rotations at a Tennessee facility.
- Complete clinical hours. Log supervised clinical training at one of 5+ Tennessee sites.
- Pass the ARMRIT exam. After completing your program and clinical requirements, sit for the ARMRIT certification exam.
- Apply for jobs. Your ARMRIT certification is your credential.
Path 2: Existing rad techs (ARRT post-primary)
- Confirm ARRT eligibility. You need current ARRT certification in a primary pathway.
- Complete post-primary MRI requirements. Through employer-sponsored clinical experience or structured education.
- Pass the ARRT MRI exam.
- Update your credentials. Your ARRT(MR) certification goes on your resume.
For a broader look at requirements across all states, see our state-by-state guide.
MRI licensing in Tennessee
Tennessee does not require a specific state license for MRI technologists. The state’s Board of Medical Examiners and the Tennessee Department of Health regulate some medical imaging professionals, but MRI is not specifically covered. Employers require ARRT(MR) or ARMRIT certification. Tennessee’s status as the headquarters of HCA Healthcare and several other major health companies creates a sophisticated hiring environment.
Employers throughout Tennessee accept both ARRT(MR) and ARMRIT certification. Tesla MR Institute’s program prepares you for the ARMRIT exam, which does not require prior X-ray credentials.
MRI salary by metro in Tennessee
MRI technologists in Tennessee earn $58K-$84K per year depending on location and experience. Tennessee MRI tech salaries are below the national median of $88K, but the state’s lack of income tax on earned wages and low cost of living significantly enhance effective take-home pay.
| Metro Area | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro | $64K-$86K |
| Memphis | $60K-$80K |
| Knoxville | $58K-$76K |
| Chattanooga | $56K-$76K |
Tennessee has no state income tax, which means higher take-home pay compared to similar metros in other states.
Where MRI techs work in Tennessee
Tennessee has one of the most robust healthcare employer landscapes in the Southeast, anchored by two heavyweights: HCA Healthcare and Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Nashville metro
Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is a top-20 academic medical center and the largest employer in Nashville. The imaging department operates multiple 1.5T and 3T MRI scanners across Vanderbilt University Hospital, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital, and several outpatient imaging locations. VUMC offers exposure to complex neuro, cardiac, and pediatric MRI protocols that are rare outside academic settings. Salaries at VUMC tend to sit at the top of the Tennessee range ($70K-$86K+), and the academic environment provides strong continuing education opportunities.
HCA Healthcare is headquartered in Nashville and operates 14+ hospitals across Tennessee, including TriStar Centennial Medical Center, TriStar Summit Medical Center, and TriStar Skyline Medical Center. HCA facilities run high-volume, standardized MRI protocols. Starting salaries are competitive ($60K-$75K), and HCA’s scale means internal transfer opportunities across the state and nationally.
Ascension Saint Thomas operates multiple hospitals in the Nashville metro, including Saint Thomas Midtown and Saint Thomas West. They accept both ARRT and ARMRIT certification.
Memphis metro
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare is the largest health system in Memphis, operating six hospitals. The MRI department handles a high volume of cases across adult and pediatric populations.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital offers a unique opportunity for MRI technologists interested in pediatric imaging. St. Jude’s research imaging program includes advanced MRI sequences used in oncology and neuroimaging studies. Positions at St. Jude are competitive, but the experience is unmatched for pediatric specialization.
Regional One Health is Memphis’s Level I trauma center and safety-net hospital. The pace is fast, the case mix is diverse, and trauma-related imaging keeps MRI techs busy.
Knoxville and Chattanooga
University of Tennessee Medical Center (Knoxville) is a Level I trauma center with a strong radiology department. Covenant Health operates multiple hospitals in the Knoxville area.
Erlanger Health System (Chattanooga) is a large academic-affiliated health system offering a range of MRI positions. CHI Memorial also serves the Chattanooga market.
Outpatient imaging
National imaging chains including SimonMed Imaging, RadNet, and local independent radiology groups operate across Tennessee’s major metros. Outpatient centers typically offer more predictable hours (daytime, Monday-Friday) and accept both ARRT and ARMRIT certification.
More resources
- How to become an MRI technologist — step-by-step career guide
- MRI technologist salary guide — pay by state, setting, and experience
- MRI technologist requirements — what employers verify
- ARRT vs ARMRIT certification — choose the right credential path