Arkansas rad tech license: x-ray and sonographer rules

Arkansas rad tech license: an x-ray technologist needs a state license, a sonographer none; 8 programs.

The state rules apply where you take the images

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

Arkansas: state license for an x-ray technologist

Yes

Yes, a state license · sonographer: no state license

Radiologic technologist (radiography)Yes, a state license
Sonographer (ultrasound)No state license
Limited x-ray operatorYes: a limited license
Other licensed modalitiesnuclear medicine, cardiac and vascular interventional, radiation therapy, radiologist assistant, fusion imaging
AgencyArkansas Radiologic Technology Licensure Program
Programs reported to IPEDS (2023-24)5 radiography, 3 sonography

Rule from the ASRT state table, checked against the page of Arkansas Radiologic Technology Licensure Program on November 13, 2026.

How this is computed

Compiled by Radif Partners · How the rules were read

Arkansas licenses radiography, limited operators, nuclear medicine, cardiac and vascular interventional work, radiation therapy, fusion imaging and radiologist assistants, according to the ASRT table. Two bodies are involved: the Department of Health licenses technologists, while the State Medical Board handles radiologist assistants. The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith reported the largest imaging class in 2023-24. The Arkansas Department of Health runs a Radiologic Technology Licensure Program, advised by a Medical Ionizing Radiation Licensure Committee (MIRLC), with online renewal payments. Radiologist assistants are a separate matter for the Arkansas State Medical Board, whose public comment period on a proposed radiologist assistant rule ends on November 15, 2026. By awards in 2023-24, the largest programs were University of Arkansas-Fort Smith in Fort Smith (radiography, 23), Arkansas State University in Jonesboro (radiography, 18), University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock (sonography, 16), Baptist Health College Little Rock in Little Rock (radiography, 12), National Park College in Hot Springs (radiography, 12), Southern Arkansas University Tech in Camden (sonography, 9), NorthWest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville (sonography, 8) and Henderson State University in Arkadelphia (radiography, 1).

How to get the Arkansas rad tech license

Send the application of the Radiologic Technology Licensure Program of the Department of Health, with your ARRT or other accepted exam result; renewals are paid online. Questions go to the program at 501-661-2301, the number printed on its page. Also credentialed here: nuclear medicine, cardiac and vascular interventional, radiation therapy, radiologist assistant, fusion imaging.

Arkansas: imaging modalities with a state rule (ASRT table, read November 13, 2026)
ModalityState credential
RadiographyLicense
Nuclear medicineLicense
Cardiac and vascular interventionalLicense
Radiation therapyLicense
Limited x-rayLicense
Radiologist assistantLicense
Fusion imagingLicense

Arkansas rad tech and sonography schools

Arkansas: the largest of 5 radiography and 3 sonography programs; public in-state median $7,239 and $4,830 a year (IPEDS 2023-24)
SchoolCityProgramAwards 2023-24In-state tuition and fees
University of Arkansas-Fort SmithFort SmithRadiography23$6,906
Arkansas State UniversityJonesboroRadiography18$7,754
University of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle RockSonography16$8,868
Baptist Health College Little RockLittle RockRadiography12$13,593
National Park CollegeHot SpringsRadiography12$6,050
Southern Arkansas University TechCamdenSonography9$4,830
NorthWest Arkansas Community CollegeBentonvilleSonography8$4,566
Henderson State UniversityArkadelphiaRadiography1$7,572

Tuition and exam: becoming a technologist in Arkansas

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

Sonography in Arkansas: tuition and exam

$10,235

$4,830 a year × 2 + ARDMS SPI and one specialty $575

Median public in-state tuition and fees in Arkansas$4,830 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.

Who issues a radiologic technologist license in Arkansas?

The Arkansas Department of Health, through its Radiologic Technology Licensure Program, advised by the Medical Ionizing Radiation Licensure Committee. Radiologist assistants deal with the Arkansas State Medical Board instead, which had a proposed rule for them open to public comment until November 15, 2026.

Do sonographers need an Arkansas license?

No. Sonography is not on the list of licensed modalities in the ASRT table for Arkansas. A sonographer works on the national ARDMS or ARRT credential, which Arkansas employers check instead of a state card. The radiography license, by contrast, is required to take x-rays there.

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

Yearly tuition and required fees for residents in 2023-24, from the IPEDS charges file, the five lowest: NorthWest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville, $4,566 ($5,022 for nonresidents); Southern Arkansas University Tech in Camden, $4,830 ($6,210 for nonresidents); National Park College in Hot Springs, $6,050 ($7,280 for nonresidents); University of Arkansas-Fort Smith in Fort Smith, $6,906 ($13,770 for nonresidents); Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, $7,572 ($9,780 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.