Tennessee rad tech license: x-ray and sonographer rules

Tennessee rad tech license: an x-ray technologist needs a state certificate, a sonographer none; 12 programs.

The state rules apply where you take the images

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

Tennessee: state license for an x-ray technologist

Yes

Yes, a state certificate · sonographer: no state license

Radiologic technologist (radiography)Yes, a state certificate
Sonographer (ultrasound)No state license
Limited x-ray operatorNo limited credential in the ASRT table
Other licensed modalitiesradiologist assistant
AgencyTennessee Board of Medical Examiners
Programs reported to IPEDS (2023-24)7 radiography, 5 sonography

Rule from the ASRT state table, read on November 13, 2026; the site of Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners refused our reader, so ask the agency before you apply.

How this is computed

Compiled by Radif Partners · How the rules were read

Tennessee issues a certificate to radiographers through its Board of Medical Examiners, according to the ASRT table, and lists a credential for radiologist assistants. Sonography and limited x-ray work have no Tennessee credential in the table. The state’s page did not answer our request. South College reported the largest radiography and sonography classes in 2023-24. By awards in 2023-24, the largest programs were South College in Knoxville (sonography, 106), South College in Knoxville (radiography, 62), East Tennessee State University in Johnson City (radiography, 48), Fortis Institute-Cookeville in Cookeville (radiography, 18), Austin Peay State University in Clarksville (radiography, 17), Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin (sonography, 16), Concorde Career College-Memphis in Memphis (sonography, 15) and Baptist Health Sciences University in Memphis (radiography, 11).

How to get the Tennessee rad tech license

Apply to the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners for the x-ray certificate, with your national exam result. Check the board’s current fee and form directly: we could not read them. Also credentialed here: radiologist assistant.

Tennessee: imaging modalities with a state rule (ASRT table, read November 13, 2026)
ModalityState credential
RadiographyCertificate
Radiologist assistantCertificate

Tennessee rad tech and sonography schools

Tennessee: the largest of 7 radiography and 5 sonography programs; public in-state median $9,191 and $4,537 a year (IPEDS 2023-24)
SchoolCityProgramAwards 2023-24In-state tuition and fees
South CollegeKnoxvilleSonography106$17,935
South CollegeKnoxvilleRadiography62$17,935
East Tennessee State UniversityJohnson CityRadiography48$9,706
Fortis Institute-CookevilleCookevilleRadiography18$14,644
Austin Peay State UniversityClarksvilleRadiography17$8,675
Volunteer State Community CollegeGallatinSonography16$4,524
Concorde Career College-MemphisMemphisSonography15n/a
Baptist Health Sciences UniversityMemphisRadiography11$13,846
Baptist Health Sciences UniversityMemphisSonography7$13,846
Fortis Institute-NashvilleNashvilleRadiography6$15,237

Tuition and exam: becoming a technologist in Tennessee

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

Sonography in Tennessee: tuition and exam

$9,649

$4,537 a year × 2 + ARDMS SPI and one specialty $575

Median public in-state tuition and fees in Tennessee$4,537 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.

Does Tennessee require a certificate for radiographers?

Yes. The ASRT table lists a Tennessee certificate for radiography, issued under the Board of Medical Examiners. The state’s x-ray licensing page did not respond to our request on November 13, 2026, so confirm with the board before you apply.

Which Tennessee schools train sonographers?

South College reported by far the most sonography awards in Tennessee for 2023-24, ahead of Volunteer State Community College. East Tennessee State University is second in radiography. The table on this page lists all of them. Compare their resident prices before you apply.

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

Yearly tuition and required fees for residents in 2023-24, from the IPEDS charges file, the five lowest: Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin, $4,524 ($17,724 for nonresidents); Chattanooga State Community College in Chattanooga, $4,550 ($17,750 for nonresidents); Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, $8,675 ($14,219 for nonresidents); East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, $9,706 ($13,034 for nonresidents); Baptist Health Sciences University in Memphis, $13,846.

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.