Massachusetts rad tech license: x-ray and sonographer rules

Massachusetts rad tech license: an x-ray technologist needs a state license, a sonographer none; 15 programs.

The state rules apply where you take the images

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

Massachusetts: 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 modalitiesCT, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, radiologist assistant, mammography
AgencyMassachusetts Radiation Control Program
Programs reported to IPEDS (2023-24)10 radiography, 5 sonography

Rule from the ASRT state table, read on November 13, 2026; the site of Massachusetts Radiation Control Program refused our reader, so ask the agency before you apply.

How this is computed

Compiled by Radif Partners · How the rules were read

Massachusetts licenses radiographers and the ASRT table adds CT, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, mammography and radiologist assistants, all under the Radiation Control Program of the Department of Public Health. Sonography is not licensed. The state’s pages refused our reader. MCPHS University reported the largest sonography class in the state for 2023-24. By awards in 2023-24, the largest programs were MCPHS University in Boston (sonography, 31), Regis College in Weston (radiography, 29), Massachusetts Bay Community College in Wellesley Hills (radiography, 21), Springfield Technical Community College in Springfield (radiography, 18), North Shore Community College in Danvers (radiography, 16), Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester (radiography, 16), Lawrence Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Medford (radiography, 12) and MCPHS University in Boston (radiography, 11).

How to get the Massachusetts rad tech license

Apply and renew through the Radiation Control Program of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, with your national credential. Its renewal page refused our reader, so check its current fee and continuing education rule there before you renew. Also credentialed here: CT, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, radiologist assistant, mammography.

Massachusetts: imaging modalities with a state rule (ASRT table, read November 13, 2026)
ModalityState credential
RadiographyLicense
CTLicense
Nuclear medicineLicense
Radiation therapyLicense
Radiologist assistantLicense
MammographyLicense

Massachusetts rad tech and sonography schools

Massachusetts: the largest of 10 radiography and 5 sonography programs; public in-state median $5,795 and $5,520 a year (IPEDS 2023-24)
SchoolCityProgramAwards 2023-24In-state tuition and fees
MCPHS UniversityBostonSonography31$38,850
Regis CollegeWestonRadiography29$47,770
Massachusetts Bay Community CollegeWellesley HillsRadiography21$5,616
Springfield Technical Community CollegeSpringfieldRadiography18$5,520
North Shore Community CollegeDanversRadiography16$5,352
Quinsigamond Community CollegeWorcesterRadiography16$5,974
Lawrence Memorial Hospital School of NursingMedfordRadiography12$28,617
MCPHS UniversityBostonRadiography11$38,850
Massachusetts College of Liberal ArtsNorth AdamsRadiography10$11,884
Bunker Hill Community CollegeBostonSonography10$5,520

Tuition and exam: becoming a technologist in Massachusetts

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

Sonography in Massachusetts: tuition and exam

$11,615

$5,520 a year × 2 + ARDMS SPI and one specialty $575

Median public in-state tuition and fees in Massachusetts$5,520 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.

Do I need a Massachusetts license as an x-ray tech?

Yes. The ASRT table lists a state license for radiography in Massachusetts, issued by the Radiation Control Program of the Department of Public Health. The program’s pages refused our automated reader on November 13, 2026, so confirm the details there.

Where can I study sonography in Massachusetts?

MCPHS University reported the most sonography awards in Massachusetts to IPEDS for 2023-24, ahead of Bunker Hill Community College. The full list is on this page, with in-state tuition and required fees: at Massachusetts community colleges the fees are much larger than the tuition itself.

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

Yearly tuition and required fees for residents in 2023-24, from the IPEDS charges file, the five lowest: North Shore Community College in Danvers, $5,352 ($10,920 for nonresidents); Springfield Technical Community College in Springfield, $5,520 ($10,728 for nonresidents); Bunker Hill Community College in Boston, $5,520 ($10,464 for nonresidents); Massachusetts Bay Community College in Wellesley Hills, $5,616 ($10,560 for nonresidents); Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester, $5,974 ($10,918 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.