Pennsylvania rad tech license: x-ray and sonographer rules
Pennsylvania rad tech license: an x-ray technologist needs no state license, a sonographer none; 32 programs.
Example: Pennsylvania· change any figure to see your own result
Pennsylvania: 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 | No limited credential in the ASRT table |
| Other licensed modalities | None in the ASRT table |
| Agency | Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Radiation Control |
| Programs reported to IPEDS (2023-24) | 19 radiography, 13 sonography |
Rule from the ASRT state table, checked against the page of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Radiation Control on November 13, 2026.
Compiled by Radif Partners · How the rules were read
Pennsylvania has no state license for radiographers or sonographers. The ASRT table records a training standard instead, and the Department of Environmental Protection, which the ASRT points to, registers x-ray machines every year and lists refresher training for equipment operators. The Community College of Allegheny County reported the largest radiography and sonography classes in 2023-24. Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection asks every owner of a radiation-producing machine to register and renew each year, and lists refresher training for x-ray equipment operators. By awards in 2023-24, the largest programs were Community College of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh (radiography, 41), Community College of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh (sonography, 41), South Hills School of Business & Technology in State College (sonography, 27), Lackawanna College in Scranton (sonography, 26), Northampton County Area Community College in Bethlehem (radiography, 25), Great Lakes Institute of Technology in Erie (sonography, 25), Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster in Lancaster (radiography, 24) and Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster in Lancaster (sonography, 21).
How to get the Pennsylvania rad tech license
No state license to apply for. Finish an accredited program and pass the ARRT or ARDMS exams; your employer registers its machines with the Department of Environmental Protection and applies its operator training rules.
| Modality | State credential |
|---|---|
| Radiography | No license (standard) |
| Nuclear medicine | No license (standard) |
| Radiation therapy | No license (standard) |
| Limited x-ray | No license (standard) |
| Radiologist assistant | No license (standard) |
Pennsylvania rad tech and sonography schools
| School | City | Program | Awards 2023-24 | In-state tuition and fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community College of Allegheny County | Pittsburgh | Radiography | 41 | $8,803 |
| Community College of Allegheny County | Pittsburgh | Sonography | 41 | $8,803 |
| South Hills School of Business & Technology | State College | Sonography | 27 | $19,208 |
| Lackawanna College | Scranton | Sonography | 26 | $17,950 |
| Northampton County Area Community College | Bethlehem | Radiography | 25 | $10,980 |
| Great Lakes Institute of Technology | Erie | Sonography | 25 | n/a |
| Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster | Lancaster | Radiography | 24 | $31,866 |
| Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster | Lancaster | Sonography | 21 | $31,866 |
| Holy Family University | Philadelphia | Radiography | 20 | $33,968 |
| Community College of Philadelphia | Philadelphia | Radiography | 19 | $8,688 |
Tuition and exam: becoming a technologist in Pennsylvania
Example: sonography, 2 years in Pennsylvania· change any figure to see your own result
Sonography in Pennsylvania: tuition and exam
$18,677
$9,051 a year × 2 + ARDMS SPI and one specialty $575
| Median public in-state tuition and fees in Pennsylvania | $9,051 a year (2023-24) |
| Years of study | 2 |
| Exam fees | $575 |
| State license | No state license |