North Carolina rad tech license: x-ray and sonographer rules

North Carolina rad tech license: an x-ray technologist needs no state license, a sonographer none; 35 programs.

The state rules apply where you take the images

Example: North Carolina· change any figure to see your own result

North Carolina: state license for an x-ray technologist

No

No state license · sonographer: no state license

Radiologic technologist (radiography)No state license
Sonographer (ultrasound)No state license
Limited x-ray operatorNo limited credential in the ASRT table
Other licensed modalitiesNone in the ASRT table
AgencyNorth Carolina Radiation Control
Programs reported to IPEDS (2023-24)23 radiography, 12 sonography

Rule from the ASRT state table, checked against the page of North Carolina Radiation Control on November 13, 2026.

How this is computed

Compiled by Radif Partners · How the rules were read

North Carolina has no state license for radiographers, limited operators or sonographers: the ASRT table lists no rule of any kind for the profession there. Its radiation protection section regulates the equipment. The state compensates with a dense network of community colleges: Wake Technical Community College reported the largest radiography class in 2023-24, and many smaller colleges train sonographers. By awards in 2023-24, the largest programs were Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh (radiography, 41), Carolinas College of Health Sciences in Charlotte (radiography, 27), Johnston Community College in Smithfield (radiography, 24), Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem (radiography, 22), Fayetteville Technical Community College in Fayetteville (radiography, 20), Guilford Technical Community College in Jamestown (radiography, 20), Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in Salisbury (radiography, 20) and Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College in Asheville (radiography, 19).

How to get the North Carolina rad tech license

Nothing to file with the state. Complete an accredited program, pass the ARRT or ARDMS exams and keep the credential current; North Carolina hospitals hire on those national credentials.

North Carolina: imaging modalities with a state rule (ASRT table, read November 13, 2026)
ModalityState credential
CTNo license (equipment rule: standard)

North Carolina rad tech and sonography schools

North Carolina: the largest of 23 radiography and 12 sonography programs; public in-state median $2,571 and $2,554 a year (IPEDS 2023-24)
SchoolCityProgramAwards 2023-24In-state tuition and fees
Wake Technical Community CollegeRaleighRadiography41$2,336
Carolinas College of Health SciencesCharlotteRadiography27$19,095
Johnston Community CollegeSmithfieldRadiography24$2,657
Forsyth Technical Community CollegeWinston-SalemRadiography22$2,256
Fayetteville Technical Community CollegeFayettevilleRadiography20$2,628
Guilford Technical Community CollegeJamestownRadiography20$2,319
Rowan-Cabarrus Community CollegeSalisburyRadiography20$2,064
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community CollegeAshevilleRadiography19$2,882
Cape Fear Community CollegeWilmingtonRadiography16$2,748
Pitt Community CollegeWintervilleRadiography15$1,970

Tuition and exam: becoming a technologist in North Carolina

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

Sonography in North Carolina: tuition and exam

$5,683

$2,554 a year × 2 + ARDMS SPI and one specialty $575

Median public in-state tuition and fees in North Carolina$2,554 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 radiology techs need a license in North Carolina?

No. The ASRT table we read on November 13, 2026 lists no license, standard or equipment rule for radiographers in North Carolina. Employers ask for ARRT certification and registration, and the state regulates the x-ray equipment itself. Nothing goes to the state.

Where can I study radiography in North Carolina?

Wake Technical Community College reported the most radiography awards in North Carolina for 2023-24, followed by Carolinas College of Health Sciences. South Piedmont and Johnston community colleges led in sonography. The table on this page lists them all. Compare their resident prices before you apply.

How much does rad tech or sonography school cost in North Carolina?

Yearly tuition and required fees for residents in 2023-24, from the IPEDS charges file, the five lowest: Vance-Granville Community College in Henderson, $1,956 ($6,564 for nonresidents); Pitt Community College in Winterville, $1,970 ($6,578 for nonresidents); South Piedmont Community College in Polkton, $2,022 ($6,630 for nonresidents); Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in Salisbury, $2,064 ($6,672 for nonresidents); Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem, $2,256 ($6,864 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.