Minnesota rad tech license: x-ray and sonographer rules
Minnesota rad tech license: an x-ray technologist needs no state license, a sonographer none; 16 programs.
Example: Minnesota· change any figure to see your own result
Minnesota: 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 operator | Yes: a limited license |
| Other licensed modalities | None in the ASRT table |
| Agency | Minnesota Department of Health, Radiation Control |
| Programs reported to IPEDS (2023-24) | 12 radiography, 4 sonography |
Rule from the ASRT state table, checked against the page of Minnesota Department of Health, Radiation Control on November 13, 2026.
Compiled by Radif Partners · How the rules were read
Minnesota does not license full radiographers; it expects national credentials. But since August 1, 2020, under Minnesota Statute 144.121, the Department of Health requires limited scope x-ray operators and bone densitometry operators to register after passing their exam modules. The Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science reported the largest imaging classes in the state for 2023-24. Minnesota does not license full radiographers, but since August 1, 2020 a limited scope x-ray operator and a bone densitometry equipment operator must register with the Minnesota Department of Health after passing the exam modules (Minnesota Statute 144.121). By awards in 2023-24, the largest programs were Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in Rochester (radiography, 45), Riverland Community College in Austin (radiography, 34), Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in Rochester (sonography, 32), Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Fergus Falls (radiography, 31), Century College in White Bear Lake (radiography, 29), Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington (radiography, 29), St Catherine University in Saint Paul (sonography, 25) and Concordia University-Saint Paul in Saint Paul (sonography, 23).
How to get the Minnesota rad tech license
A certified radiographer files nothing with the state. A limited scope operator registers with the Minnesota Department of Health after passing the exam modules, following its information notice on the registration requirement.
| Modality | State credential |
|---|---|
| Radiography | No license (standard) |
| CT | No license (standard) |
| Nuclear medicine | No license (accredited) |
| Cardiac and vascular interventional | No license (standard) |
| Limited x-ray | License |
| Radiologist assistant | No license (register) |
| Fusion imaging | No license (accredited) |
Minnesota rad tech and sonography schools
| School | City | Program | Awards 2023-24 | In-state tuition and fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science | Rochester | Radiography | 45 | $10,025 |
| Riverland Community College | Austin | Radiography | 34 | $6,249 |
| Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science | Rochester | Sonography | 32 | $10,025 |
| Minnesota State Community and Technical College | Fergus Falls | Radiography | 31 | $5,900 |
| Century College | White Bear Lake | Radiography | 29 | $6,182 |
| Northwestern Health Sciences University | Bloomington | Radiography | 29 | $12,015 |
| St Catherine University | Saint Paul | Sonography | 25 | $37,588 |
| Concordia University-Saint Paul | Saint Paul | Sonography | 23 | $25,000 |
| Lake Superior College | Duluth | Radiography | 22 | $5,785 |
| Rasmussen University-Minnesota | St. Cloud | Radiography | 16 | $11,750 |
Tuition and exam: becoming a technologist in Minnesota
Example: sonography, 2 years in Minnesota· change any figure to see your own result
Sonography in Minnesota: tuition and exam
$10,489
$4,957 a year × 2 + ARDMS SPI and one specialty $575
| Median public in-state tuition and fees in Minnesota | $4,957 a year (2023-24) |
| Years of study | 2 |
| Exam fees | $575 |
| State license | No state license |