Arizona rad tech license: x-ray and sonographer rules

Arizona rad tech license: an x-ray technologist needs a state certification, a sonographer none; 9 programs.

The state rules apply where you take the images

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

Arizona: state license for an x-ray technologist

Yes

Yes, a state certification · sonographer: no state license

Radiologic technologist (radiography)Yes, a state certification
Sonographer (ultrasound)No state license
Limited x-ray operatorYes: a limited certification
Other licensed modalitiesCT, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, radiologist assistant, mammography, bone densitometry
AgencyArizona Bureau of Special Licensing
Programs reported to IPEDS (2023-24)7 radiography, 2 sonography

Rule from the ASRT state table, checked against the page of Arizona Bureau of Special Licensing on November 13, 2026.

How this is computed

Compiled by Radif Partners · How the rules were read

Arizona certifies rather than licenses: the ASRT table lists a state certification for radiography, limited technologists, CT, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, mammography, bone densitometry and radiologist assistants, but nothing for sonography. Pima Medical Institute’s Tucson campus reported the largest radiography class in the state in 2023-24, ahead of the public community colleges, whose in-state tuition is among the lowest in this table. The Arizona Department of Health Services files medical radiologic technologists under its Bureau of Special Licensing, through an individual licensing portal. By awards in 2023-24, the largest programs were Pima Medical Institute-Tucson in Tucson (radiography, 215), GateWay Community College in Phoenix (radiography, 45), GateWay Community College in Phoenix (sonography, 32), Pima Medical Institute-Mesa in Mesa (radiography, 30), Pima Medical Institute-Phoenix in Phoenix (sonography, 26), Pima Community College in Tucson (radiography, 21), Central Arizona College in Coolidge (radiography, 17) and Arizona Western College in Yuma (radiography, 16).

How to get the Arizona rad tech license

Apply for certification through the Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Special Licensing, on its individual licensing portal, with proof of the exam it accepts for your category. A sonographer needs no Arizona certificate. Also credentialed here: CT, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, radiologist assistant, mammography, bone densitometry.

Arizona: imaging modalities with a state rule (ASRT table, read November 13, 2026)
ModalityState credential
RadiographyCertification
CTCertification
Nuclear medicineCertification
Radiation therapyCertification
Limited x-rayCertification
Radiologist assistantCertification
MammographyCertification
Bone densitometryCertification

Arizona rad tech and sonography schools

Arizona: the largest of 7 radiography and 2 sonography programs; public in-state median $2,370 and $2,358 a year (IPEDS 2023-24)
SchoolCityProgramAwards 2023-24In-state tuition and fees
Pima Medical Institute-TucsonTucsonRadiography215n/a
GateWay Community CollegePhoenixRadiography45$2,358
GateWay Community CollegePhoenixSonography32$2,358
Pima Medical Institute-MesaMesaRadiography30n/a
Pima Medical Institute-PhoenixPhoenixSonography26n/a
Pima Community CollegeTucsonRadiography21$2,370
Central Arizona CollegeCoolidgeRadiography17$2,250
Arizona Western CollegeYumaRadiography16$2,820
Yavapai CollegePrescottRadiography16$2,838

Tuition and exam: becoming a technologist in Arizona

Example: sonography, 2 years in Arizona· change any figure to see your own result

Sonography in Arizona: tuition and exam

$5,291

$2,358 a year × 2 + ARDMS SPI and one specialty $575

Median public in-state tuition and fees in Arizona$2,358 a year (2023-24)
Years of study2
Exam fees$575
State licenseNo state license
Full calculator: Sonographer: the job and the route →

Questions students and technologists ask

Tap a question to see the answer.

What credential does an x-ray tech need in Arizona?

A state certification issued by the Arizona Department of Health Services. The ASRT table also lists certifications for limited technologists, CT, mammography and bone densitometry, so a technologist working in several modalities may need more than one Arizona certificate. Renew each one on its own schedule.

Is there a sonography license in Arizona?

No. The ASRT table lists no state credential for sonography in Arizona. Employers rely on the national ARDMS or ARRT sonography credentials, and Arizona schools reported sonography graduates to IPEDS for 2023-24, listed lower on this page. Pima Medical Institute appears among them.

How much does rad tech or sonography school cost in Arizona?

Yearly tuition and required fees for residents in 2023-24, from the IPEDS charges file: Central Arizona College in Coolidge, $2,250 ($4,500 for nonresidents); GateWay Community College in Phoenix, $2,358 ($8,959 for nonresidents); Pima Community College in Tucson, $2,370 ($7,686 for nonresidents); Arizona Western College in Yuma, $2,820 ($9,630 for nonresidents); Yavapai College in Prescott, $2,838 ($9,344 for nonresidents).

Next steps

Rad tech license by state

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

Sonographer license by state

Only 5 places license sonographers; the agency of each, and what the other states ask instead.

Moving to another state

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

Radiology tech schools

482 radiography programs with graduates in 2023-24: find those of your state with tuition and fees.

State tables, agency pages, fee pages and federal files behind this page (4)

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.

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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.