Louisiana rad tech license: x-ray and sonographer rules

Louisiana rad tech license: an x-ray technologist needs a state license, a sonographer none; 14 programs.

The state rules apply where you take the images

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

Louisiana: 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 operatorNo limited credential in the ASRT table
Other licensed modalitiesnuclear medicine, radiation therapy, radiologist assistant, fusion imaging
AgencyLouisiana State Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners
Programs reported to IPEDS (2023-24)11 radiography, 3 sonography

Rule from the ASRT state table, checked against the page of Louisiana State Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners on November 13, 2026.

How this is computed

Compiled by Radif Partners · How the rules were read

Louisiana licenses radiographers through its own board, the LSRTBE, on two-year cycles: the 2026-2028 cycle opened this year, and a license not renewed by May 31, 2026 has expired. The law applies to technologists working in hospitals and hospital-owned facilities. Since January 2026 the board also issues Limited X-Ray Machine Operator permits, aimed at smaller settings short of full technologists. The Louisiana State Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners (LSRTBE) licenses technologists for two-year cycles (the current one is 2026-2028); a license not renewed by May 31, 2026 expired, and working with an expired license is illegal in Louisiana. Since January 2026 the board issues Limited X-Ray Machine Operator (LXMO) permits: after an approved program and the ARRT limited scope exam for Louisiana, the holder gets a two-year permit and no longer needs direct supervision. By awards in 2023-24, the largest programs were Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches (radiography, 96), Delgado Community College in New Orleans (radiography, 48), University of Louisiana at Monroe in Monroe (radiography, 40), Louisiana State University-Eunice in Eunice (radiography, 27), Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University in Baton Rouge (radiography, 20), McNeese State University in Lake Charles (radiography, 19), Fortis College-Baton Rouge in Baton Rouge (radiography, 17) and Baton Rouge Community College in Baton Rouge (sonography, 16).

How to get the Louisiana rad tech license

Renew or apply online with the LSRTBE (the board recommends Chrome), with the signed ARRT or NMTCB authorization form in PDF. An LXMO candidate enrolls in a board-approved program, logs clinical competencies and passes the ARRT limited scope exam for Louisiana. Also credentialed here: nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, radiologist assistant, fusion imaging.

Louisiana: imaging modalities with a state rule (ASRT table, read November 13, 2026)
ModalityState credential
RadiographyLicense
Nuclear medicineLicense
Radiation therapyLicense
Limited x-rayNo license (standard)
Radiologist assistantLicense
Fusion imagingPermit

Louisiana rad tech and sonography schools

Louisiana: the largest of 11 radiography and 3 sonography programs; public in-state median $7,050 and $4,279 a year (IPEDS 2023-24)
SchoolCityProgramAwards 2023-24In-state tuition and fees
Northwestern State University of LouisianaNatchitochesRadiography96$8,864
Delgado Community CollegeNew OrleansRadiography48$4,279
University of Louisiana at MonroeMonroeRadiography40$9,190
Louisiana State University-EuniceEuniceRadiography27$4,802
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady UniversityBaton RougeRadiography20$16,036
McNeese State UniversityLake CharlesRadiography19$8,460
Fortis College-Baton RougeBaton RougeRadiography17$16,167
Baton Rouge Community CollegeBaton RougeSonography16$4,221
Delgado Community CollegeNew OrleansSonography13$4,279
Baton Rouge General Medical Center School of Nursing & School of Radiologic TechnologyBaton RougeRadiography10$16,900

Tuition and exam: becoming a technologist in Louisiana

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

Sonography in Louisiana: tuition and exam

$9,133

$4,279 a year × 2 + ARDMS SPI and one specialty $575

Median public in-state tuition and fees in Louisiana$4,279 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 Louisiana LXMO permit?

A Limited X-Ray Machine Operator permit, issued by the Louisiana State Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners since January 2026. After an approved program, a clinical competency log and the ARRT limited scope exam for Louisiana, the holder receives a two-year permit and no longer needs direct supervision.

When do Louisiana rad tech licenses expire?

The board works on two-year cycles. Licenses that carried a May 31, 2026 expiration date and were not renewed are expired, and working with an expired license is illegal in Louisiana. The current cycle is 2026-2028. Renew before the end of the cycle.

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

Yearly tuition and required fees for residents in 2023-24, from the IPEDS charges file, the five lowest: Baton Rouge Community College in Baton Rouge, $4,221; Delgado Community College in New Orleans, $4,279; Louisiana State University-Eunice in Eunice, $4,802 ($10,166 for nonresidents); Southern University at Shreveport in Shreveport, $4,958; Louisiana State University-Alexandria in Alexandria, $7,050 ($14,725 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.