A new Louisiana law puts hard limits on licensing fees for radiologic technologists—and it changes how your practice budgets for credential compliance.
Most health service owners don't realize that until now, Louisiana's State Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners had broad discretion to set licensing and permitting fees with minimal legislative oversight. That changed with HB949, passed during the 2026 Regular Session. The bill replaces that open-ended authority with explicit statutory caps on every fee category the board may charge.
If your clinic, imaging center, or private practice employs licensed radiologic technologists, radiologist assistants, or limited-purpose permit holders, you depend on those employees maintaining current credentials. The cost of obtaining and renewing those credentials—application fees, examination fees, license renewal fees, and permit fees—comes either directly from your practice or indirectly through employee compensation expectations. HB949 directly limits what your practice will pay for those compliance costs going forward.
Under the prior system, the board could adjust its fee schedule without specific legislative authorization for each category or amount. This created uncertainty: fees could rise unpredictably, and practices had limited recourse.
HB949 changes that by writing fee caps directly into state law. The board may no longer charge whatever it deems necessary; it must stay within the statutory limits now codified in Louisiana Revised Statutes §3218 (Pages 5–6 of the bill). Every fee category—whether for initial licensure, renewal, examination, or permits—now has a ceiling set by statute, not board discretion.
For small and mid-sized practices, predictable regulatory costs are essential to financial planning. When a board can raise fees unilaterally, your compliance budget becomes a moving target. By capping fees in statute, HB949 gives you visibility into what credential maintenance will cost over time. You can factor those costs into hiring decisions, wage planning, and operational budgets with greater confidence.
It also levels the playing field: all practices in Louisiana face the same fee structure, and that structure cannot be changed without legislative action. This prevents the board from using fee increases as a de facto regulatory tool and ensures that cost increases require public debate and legislative approval.
HB949 became effective upon gubernatorial approval following the 2026 Regular Session. There is no sunset date, meaning the fee caps remain in place indefinitely unless the legislature votes to change them.
Review your current licensing and permitting costs for radiologic technologists, radiologist assistants, and limited-purpose permit holders. Compare those costs to the statutory caps in §3218 to understand your exposure. If you have questions about specific fee categories or compliance obligations, contact the Louisiana State Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners directly or consult your trade association for guidance tailored to your practice type.
This explainer is based on HB949 as enacted during the 2026 Regular Session. For detailed fee schedules and regulatory requirements, consult the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners or your industry association.