Iowa rad tech license: x-ray and sonographer rules

Iowa rad tech license: an x-ray technologist needs a state permit, a sonographer none; 16 programs.

The state rules apply where you take the images

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

Iowa: state license for an x-ray technologist

Yes

Yes, a state permit · sonographer: no state license

Radiologic technologist (radiography)Yes, a state permit
Sonographer (ultrasound)No state license
Limited x-ray operatorYes: a limited permit
Other licensed modalitiesnuclear medicine, radiation therapy, radiologist assistant, fusion imaging
AgencyIowa Department of Health and Human Services
Programs reported to IPEDS (2023-24)12 radiography, 4 sonography

Rule from the ASRT state table, checked against the page of Iowa Department of Health and Human Services on November 13, 2026.

How this is computed

Compiled by Radif Partners · How the rules were read

Iowa issues permits rather than licenses, for radiography, limited operators, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, radiologist assistants and fusion imaging, according to the ASRT table. The University of Iowa reported the largest imaging class in the state for 2023-24, with a bachelor’s degree; most other radiography graduates earned an associate degree, the majority at community colleges from Ottumwa to Sheldon, and two hospital schools, in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines, still award certificates. Sonographers need no Iowa permit. By awards in 2023-24, the largest programs were University of Iowa in Iowa City (radiography, 43), Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa (radiography, 28), St Luke's College in Sioux City (radiography, 21), Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge (radiography, 18), Eastern Iowa Community College District in Davenport (radiography, 17), Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines (sonography, 16), Eastern Iowa Community College District in Davenport (sonography, 15) and Allen College in Waterloo (radiography, 13).

How to get the Iowa rad tech license

Apply to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services for the permit of your modality, with the national exam it accepts. The department’s page we read is a general list of its permits to operate, so ask it for the current fee and form. Also credentialed here: nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, radiologist assistant, fusion imaging.

Iowa: imaging modalities with a state rule (ASRT table, read November 13, 2026)
ModalityState credential
RadiographyPermit
Nuclear medicinePermit
Radiation therapyPermit
Limited x-rayPermit
Radiologist assistantPermit
Fusion imagingPermit

Iowa rad tech and sonography schools

Iowa: the largest of 12 radiography and 4 sonography programs; public in-state median $6,436 and $4,680 a year (IPEDS 2023-24)
SchoolCityProgramAwards 2023-24In-state tuition and fees
University of IowaIowa CityRadiography43$10,964
Indian Hills Community CollegeOttumwaRadiography28$4,872
St Luke's CollegeSioux CityRadiography21$20,940
Iowa Central Community CollegeFort DodgeRadiography18$5,376
Eastern Iowa Community College DistrictDavenportRadiography17$4,680
Mercy College of Health SciencesDes MoinesSonography16$22,360
Eastern Iowa Community College DistrictDavenportSonography15$4,680
Allen CollegeWaterlooRadiography13$24,456
Northeast Iowa Community CollegeCalmarRadiography13$6,600
Northwest Iowa Community CollegeSheldonRadiography12$7,110

Tuition and exam: becoming a technologist in Iowa

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

Sonography in Iowa: tuition and exam

$9,935

$4,680 a year × 2 + ARDMS SPI and one specialty $575

Median public in-state tuition and fees in Iowa$4,680 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 an Iowa permit the same as a license?

In practice it plays the same role: you need it to perform radiography in Iowa. The ASRT table records Iowa’s credential as a permit for radiography and for limited operators, issued by the state health department rather than by a separate imaging board.

Do Iowa sonographers need a permit?

No state credential exists for sonography in Iowa in the ASRT table. Iowa schools reported sonography graduates to IPEDS for 2023-24, and Iowa employers ask for ARDMS or ARRT sonography credentials. Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines reported the largest class.

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

Yearly tuition and required fees for residents in 2023-24, from the IPEDS charges file, the five lowest: UnityPoint Health-Des Moines School of Radiologic Technology in Des Moines, $4,000; Mercy-St Luke's School of Radiologic Technology in Cedar Rapids, $4,255; Eastern Iowa Community College District in Davenport, $4,680 ($6,288 for nonresidents); Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, $4,872 ($6,120 for nonresidents); Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, $5,376 ($7,668 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.