Ohio rad tech license: x-ray and sonographer rules

Ohio rad tech license: an x-ray technologist needs a state license, a sonographer none; 32 programs.

The state rules apply where you take the images

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

Ohio: 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 operatorYes: a limited license
Other licensed modalitiesnuclear medicine, cardiac and vascular interventional, radiation therapy, radiologist assistant
AgencyOhio Department of Health, Radiologic Licensure
Programs reported to IPEDS (2023-24)17 radiography, 15 sonography

Rule from the ASRT state table, checked against the page of Ohio Department of Health, Radiologic Licensure on November 13, 2026.

How this is computed

Compiled by Radif Partners · How the rules were read

Ohio licenses radiographers and general x-ray machine operators through the Radiologic Licensure program of the Department of Health, which has licensed about 17,000 operators and approved 110 educational facilities and 180 continuing education courses. Sonography is not licensed. Cuyahoga Community College reported the largest radiography class in 2023-24, and ATA College in Cincinnati the largest sonography class. The Ohio Department of Health’s Radiologic Licensure program has licensed about 17,000 operators and approved 110 educational facilities and 180 continuing education courses. A renewal filed more than 30 days after expiry needs a new application with a $65 fee ($45 after active military service), 24 continuing education credits and proof of the ARRT or NMTCB exam; general x-ray machine operators (GXMO) pass a state exam instead. By awards in 2023-24, the largest programs were Cuyahoga Community College District in Cleveland (radiography, 41), Kettering College in Kettering (radiography, 25), Sinclair Community College in Dayton (radiography, 24), ATA College-Cincinnati in Cincinnati (sonography, 24), Belmont College in St Clairsville (radiography, 22), Owens Community College in Perrysburg (sonography, 22), Cincinnati State Technical and Community College in Cincinnati (sonography, 21) and Cuyahoga Community College District in Cleveland (sonography, 21).

How to get the Ohio rad tech license

Apply through the Ohio Department of Health licensure website, signing in with OHID, with your ARRT or NMTCB card; a general x-ray machine operator (GXMO) passes the state exam. Renew on time: more than 30 days late means a new application. Also credentialed here: nuclear medicine, cardiac and vascular interventional, radiation therapy, radiologist assistant.

Ohio: imaging modalities with a state rule (ASRT table, read November 13, 2026)
ModalityState credential
RadiographyLicense
CTNo license (standard)
Nuclear medicineLicense
Cardiac and vascular interventionalLicense
Radiation therapyLicense
Limited x-rayLicense
Radiologist assistantCertifed
Fusion imagingNo license (standard)
Ohio: fees printed on the agency page, read November 13, 2026
FeeAmount
Late renewal application$65

Ohio rad tech and sonography schools

Ohio: the largest of 17 radiography and 15 sonography programs; public in-state median $4,976 and $5,268 a year (IPEDS 2023-24)
SchoolCityProgramAwards 2023-24In-state tuition and fees
Cuyahoga Community College DistrictClevelandRadiography41$4,622
Kettering CollegeKetteringRadiography25$15,672
Sinclair Community CollegeDaytonRadiography24$4,569
ATA College-CincinnatiCincinnatiSonography24$14,250
Belmont CollegeSt ClairsvilleRadiography22$4,815
Owens Community CollegePerrysburgSonography22$5,750
Cincinnati State Technical and Community CollegeCincinnatiSonography21$5,400
Cuyahoga Community College DistrictClevelandSonography21$4,622
Central Ohio Technical CollegeNewarkRadiography19$5,136
Kettering CollegeKetteringSonography19$15,672

Tuition and exam: becoming a technologist in Ohio

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

Sonography in Ohio: tuition and exam

$11,111

$5,268 a year × 2 + ARDMS SPI and one specialty $575

Median public in-state tuition and fees in Ohio$5,268 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 happens if my Ohio radiologic license lapses?

If your renewal reaches the Ohio Department of Health more than 30 days after expiry, you must file a new application with a $65 fee ($45 if active military service caused the delay), 24 continuing education credits, proof of education and your ARRT or NMTCB card.

What is a GXMO in Ohio?

A general x-ray machine operator, a limited Ohio license for people who take x-rays without being full radiographers. Unlike radiographers, who show an ARRT or NMTCB card, GXMO applicants must show they passed the state examination. Ask the department which exam applies.

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

Yearly tuition and required fees for residents in 2023-24, from the IPEDS charges file, the five lowest: Washington State College of Ohio in Marietta, $4,128 ($4,152 for nonresidents); Clark State College in Springfield, $4,273 ($7,809 for nonresidents); Sinclair Community College in Dayton, $4,569 ($8,316 for nonresidents); Cuyahoga Community College District in Cleveland, $4,622 ($8,736 for nonresidents); James A. Rhodes State College in Lima, $4,657 ($9,217 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.