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

South Carolina rad tech license: an x-ray technologist needs a state certification, a sonographer none; 6 programs.

The state rules apply where you take the images

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

South Carolina: state license for an x-ray technologist

Yes

Yes, a state certification · sonographer: no state license

Radiologic technologist (radiography)Yes, a state certification
Sonographer (ultrasound)No state license
Limited x-ray operatorYes: a limited certification
Other licensed modalitiesCT, nuclear medicine, cardiac and vascular interventional, radiation therapy, fusion imaging
AgencySouth Carolina Radiation Quality Standards Association
Programs reported to IPEDS (2023-24)2 radiography, 4 sonography

Rule from the ASRT state table, checked against the page of South Carolina Radiation Quality Standards Association on November 13, 2026.

How this is computed

Compiled by Radif Partners · How the rules were read

South Carolina certifies operators through an unusual body, the South Carolina Radiation Quality Standards Association, which covers radiography, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, CT, limited practice radiographers and bone densitometry operators. Sonography is not certified. Few South Carolina schools reported radiography awards for 2023-24, while Southeastern College and Horry-Georgetown Technical College train sonographers. South Carolina certifies operators through the Radiation Quality Standards Association (SCRQSA): radiography, nuclear medicine (ARRT or SNMMI), radiation therapy, CT, limited practice radiographers and bone densitometry operators, with ARRT, NMTCB, RCIS, RCES or continuing education verification sent in with the application. By awards in 2023-24, the largest programs were Southeastern College-Charleston in North Charleston (sonography, 24), Horry-Georgetown Technical College in Conway (sonography, 20), Southeastern College-Columbia in Columbia (sonography, 19), Southeastern College-Charleston in North Charleston (radiography, 11), Greenville Technical College in Greenville (sonography, 11) and Southeastern College-Columbia in Columbia (radiography, 9).

How to get the South Carolina rad tech license

Fill out the SCRQSA application or recertification paperwork, send your ARRT, NMTCB, RCIS, RCES or continuing education verification, pay by card online or by check, and mail, e-mail or fax the documents. Also credentialed here: CT, nuclear medicine, cardiac and vascular interventional, radiation therapy, fusion imaging.

South Carolina: imaging modalities with a state rule (ASRT table, read November 13, 2026)
ModalityState credential
RadiographyCertified
CTCertified
Nuclear medicineCertified
Cardiac and vascular interventionalCertified
Radiation therapyCertified
Limited x-rayCertified
Fusion imagingCertified

South Carolina rad tech and sonography schools

South Carolina: the largest of 2 radiography and 4 sonography programs; public in-state median n/a and $5,857 a year (IPEDS 2023-24)
SchoolCityProgramAwards 2023-24In-state tuition and fees
Southeastern College-CharlestonNorth CharlestonSonography24$24,184
Horry-Georgetown Technical CollegeConwaySonography20$5,476
Southeastern College-ColumbiaColumbiaSonography19$24,184
Southeastern College-CharlestonNorth CharlestonRadiography11$24,184
Greenville Technical CollegeGreenvilleSonography11$6,237
Southeastern College-ColumbiaColumbiaRadiography9$24,184

Tuition and exam: becoming a technologist in South Carolina

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

Sonography in South Carolina: tuition and exam

$12,289

$5,857 a year × 2 + ARDMS SPI and one specialty $575

Median public in-state tuition and fees in South Carolina$5,857 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

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Who certifies x-ray techs in South Carolina?

The South Carolina Radiation Quality Standards Association (SCRQSA). It certifies radiography, nuclear medicine (through ARRT or SNMMI), radiation therapy, CT, limited practice radiographers and bone densitometry operators, and publishes its 2026 board meetings. Its page lists each credential by type.

What is a limited practice radiographer in South Carolina?

A limited credential certified by SCRQSA for operators who take a restricted range of x-rays without full radiographer certification. The ASRT table lists it as a South Carolina certification for limited technologists. Ask SCRQSA which exam it requires and which procedures the credential covers.

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

Yearly tuition and required fees for residents in 2023-24, from the IPEDS charges file: Horry-Georgetown Technical College in Conway, $5,476 ($8,836 for nonresidents); Greenville Technical College in Greenville, $6,237 ($10,657 for nonresidents); Southeastern College-Charleston in North Charleston, $24,184; Southeastern College-Columbia in Columbia, $24,184.

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.