Florida rad tech license: x-ray and sonographer rules

Florida rad tech license: an x-ray technologist needs a state certification, a sonographer none; 58 programs.

The state rules apply where you take the images

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

Florida: 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, MRI, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, radiologist assistant, fusion imaging, mammography
AgencyFlorida Department of Health, Bureau of Radiation Control
Programs reported to IPEDS (2023-24)34 radiography, 24 sonography

Rule from the ASRT state table, checked against the page of Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Radiation Control on November 13, 2026.

How this is computed

Compiled by Radif Partners · How the rules were read

Florida certifies radiologic technologists and basic x-ray machine operators through the Department of Health, and the ASRT table adds CT, MRI, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, fusion imaging, mammography and radiologist assistants. There is no sonography certificate. Florida has one of the largest training markets in the country, led by private colleges such as Keiser University and by public state colleges. The Florida Department of Health certifies the people who operate radiation machines or administer radioactive materials to patients, and publishes study materials for the Basic X-Ray Machine Operator. By awards in 2023-24, the largest programs were Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale in Fort Lauderdale (radiography, 373), Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale in Fort Lauderdale (sonography, 207), Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology in Delray Beach (sonography, 184), Valencia College in Orlando (radiography, 83), Med College in Hialeah (radiography, 66), Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology in Delray Beach (radiography, 55), Southeastern College-West Palm Beach in West Palm Beach (sonography, 53) and Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology in Altamonte Springs (sonography, 52).

How to get the Florida rad tech license

Apply for certification to the Florida Department of Health with your ARRT result, or take the state route for basic x-ray machine operator, for which the department publishes study materials. Renewal is handled online. Also credentialed here: CT, MRI, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, radiologist assistant, fusion imaging, mammography.

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

Florida rad tech and sonography schools

Florida: the largest of 34 radiography and 24 sonography programs; public in-state median $2,811 and $2,677 a year (IPEDS 2023-24)
SchoolCityProgramAwards 2023-24In-state tuition and fees
Keiser University-Ft LauderdaleFort LauderdaleRadiography373$24,136
Keiser University-Ft LauderdaleFort LauderdaleSonography207$24,136
Cambridge College of Healthcare & TechnologyDelray BeachSonography184$15,310
Valencia CollegeOrlandoRadiography83$2,474
Med CollegeHialeahRadiography66$22,330
Cambridge College of Healthcare & TechnologyDelray BeachRadiography55$15,310
Southeastern College-West Palm BeachWest Palm BeachSonography53$23,584
Cambridge College of Healthcare & TechnologyAltamonte SpringsSonography52$15,330
City College-HollywoodHollywoodSonography49$18,615
Miami Dade CollegeMiamiRadiography45$2,838

Tuition and exam: becoming a technologist in Florida

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

Sonography in Florida: tuition and exam

$5,929

$2,677 a year × 2 + ARDMS SPI and one specialty $575

Median public in-state tuition and fees in Florida$2,677 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 is a basic x-ray machine operator in Florida?

It is a limited Florida certification for people who take basic x-rays without being full radiologic technologists. The Florida Department of Health publishes study materials for its exam on the page we read, alongside the general radiologic technology certification. It suits clinics and offices.

Do Florida sonographers need a state certificate?

No. The ASRT table lists no state credential for sonography in Florida. Employers ask for ARDMS or ARRT sonography credentials, and Florida schools, public and private, reported a large number of sonography awards to IPEDS for 2023-24. The table on this page lists the largest.

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

Yearly tuition and required fees for residents in 2023-24, from the IPEDS charges file, the five lowest: Tallahassee State College in Tallahassee, $2,026 ($8,062 for nonresidents); Pensacola State College in Pensacola, $2,348 ($9,407 for nonresidents); Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, $2,370 ($8,635 for nonresidents); Valencia College in Orlando, $2,474 ($9,383 for nonresidents); Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, $2,489 ($9,099 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.