Colorado rad tech license: x-ray and sonographer rules

Colorado rad tech license: an x-ray technologist needs no state license, a sonographer none; 12 programs.

The state rules apply where you take the images

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

Colorado: state license for an x-ray technologist

No

No state license; a training standard applies · sonographer: no state license

Radiologic technologist (radiography)No state license; a training standard applies
Sonographer (ultrasound)No state license
Limited x-ray operatorNo limited credential in the ASRT table
Other licensed modalitiesNone in the ASRT table
AgencyColorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Radiation Management
Programs reported to IPEDS (2023-24)10 radiography, 2 sonography

Rule from the ASRT state table, checked against the page of Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Radiation Management on November 13, 2026.

How this is computed

Compiled by Radif Partners · How the rules were read

Colorado answers the question in one word on its own official page: no. It is a non-licensure state for radiographers who hold ARRT or NMTCB certification, so a nationally certified technologist needs no Colorado license or registration. The state does register the operators it does not trust to national credentials: limited scope operators, bone density operators and provisional mammographers. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment answers plainly: Colorado is a non-licensure state, and a technologist certified and registered with ARRT or NMTCB needs no separate Colorado license or registration. Limited scope operators register with the state for two years at a time and bone density operators for three years; a provisional mammographer registration lasts one year and may be renewed only once. By awards in 2023-24, the largest programs were Pima Medical Institute-Denver in Denver (radiography, 40), Pueblo Community College in Pueblo (radiography, 39), Concorde Career College-Aurora in Aurora (radiography, 23), Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood (radiography, 23), Aims Community College in Greeley (radiography, 22), Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction (radiography, 18), Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood (sonography, 18) and Colorado State University-Fort Collins in Fort Collins (radiography, 11).

How to get the Colorado rad tech license

A certified technologist simply keeps ARRT or NMTCB certification current. A limited scope or bone density operator registers with the Department of Public Health and Environment, renews at least 30 days before expiry with continuing education and the fee, and pays by check or through the state portal.

Colorado: imaging modalities with a state rule (ASRT table, read November 13, 2026)
ModalityState credential
RadiographyNo license (hold national cred.)
CTNo license (hold national cred.)
Nuclear medicineNo license (hold national cred.)
Radiation therapyNo license (hold national cred.)
Limited x-rayNo license (equipment rule: registration)
Radiologist assistantNo license (hold national cred.)
FluoroscopyNo license (equipment rule: registration)
Bone densitometryNo license (equipment rule: registration)

Colorado rad tech and sonography schools

Colorado: the largest of 10 radiography and 2 sonography programs; public in-state median $4,795 and $4,795 a year (IPEDS 2023-24)
SchoolCityProgramAwards 2023-24In-state tuition and fees
Pima Medical Institute-DenverDenverRadiography40n/a
Pueblo Community CollegePuebloRadiography39$4,883
Concorde Career College-AuroraAuroraRadiography23n/a
Red Rocks Community CollegeLakewoodRadiography23$4,707
Aims Community CollegeGreeleyRadiography22$3,170
Colorado Mesa UniversityGrand JunctionRadiography18$9,712
Red Rocks Community CollegeLakewoodSonography18$4,707
Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort CollinsRadiography11$13,009
Community College of DenverDenverRadiography10$4,902
Pueblo Community CollegePuebloSonography9$4,883

Tuition and exam: becoming a technologist in Colorado

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

Sonography in Colorado: tuition and exam

$10,165

$4,795 a year × 2 + ARDMS SPI and one specialty $575

Median public in-state tuition and fees in Colorado$4,795 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.

Is Colorado a non-licensure state for x-ray techs?

Yes. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment says it plainly: separate licensure or registration is not required for technologists certified and registered with ARRT or NMTCB. CT and mammography still require the matching ARRT or NMTCB certification, but no Colorado registration.

How long does a Colorado limited scope registration last?

Two years, after which it must be renewed with evidence of continuing education and the fee, at least 30 days before expiry. A bone density operator registration lasts three years, and a provisional mammographer registration one year, renewable only once.

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

Yearly tuition and required fees for residents in 2023-24, from the IPEDS charges file, the five lowest: Aims Community College in Greeley, $3,170 ($11,306 for nonresidents); Morgan Community College in Fort Morgan, $4,127 ($16,360 for nonresidents); Pikes Peak State College in Colorado Springs, $4,302 ($16,534 for nonresidents); Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood, $4,707 ($16,947 for nonresidents); Pueblo Community College in Pueblo, $4,883 ($17,116 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.

Checked on · Editorial policy · Contact

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.