Ultrasound tech vs radiology tech: license, exams and schools

Ultrasound tech vs radiology tech, on paper: a state license in 5 places against 39, and $575 of ARDMS exams against $225 at ARRT.

The state rules apply where you take the images

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

Texas: which career needs a state license

Yes / No

X-ray technologist / sonographer

Programs in the state46 x-ray, 37 ultrasound

Rule from the ASRT state table, checked against the page of Texas Medical Board on November 13, 2026.

How this is computed
Texas: the two careers side by side
Radiologic technologistSonographer
State licenseYes, a state certificationNo state license
National examARRT primary, $225ARDMS SPI + specialty, $575
Programs in the state (IPEDS)4637
Graduates in 2023-241,875662
Median public in-state tuition and fees$4,344 a year$4,080 a year

Compiled by Radif Partners · How the rules were read

The two careers share a hospital floor but not their rules. A radiologic technologist uses ionizing radiation, which is why 39 of the 50 states and DC issue a state credential for radiography, according to the ASRT table read on November 13, 2026. A sonographer uses ultrasound, and only 5 jurisdictions license sonography. The national exams differ as well: ARRT charges $225 for a primary discipline application (radiography or sonography among them), while ARDMS charges $275 for the SPI and $300 for each specialty. Training is larger in radiography: 482 programs and 11,531 awards in 2023-24 against 311 programs and 7,049 awards in sonography, both mostly associate degrees. This site gives no pay comparison: pay figures depend on the employer and the region.

Ultrasound tech vs radiology tech, nationally

Radiography and sonography compared (IPEDS 2023-24, ASRT table, ARRT and Inteleos fees read November 13, 2026)
Radiologic technologistSonographer
Program code (CIP)51.091151.0910
Programs with graduates, 2023-24482311
Awards, 2023-2411,5317,049
of which associate degrees7,8354,635
of which certificates2,0511,472
States and DC with a state credential395
National exam feesARRT $225ARDMS $575

Cost of either route in your state

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

Sonography in Texas: tuition and exam

$8,735

$4,080 a year × 2 + ARDMS SPI and one specialty $575

Median public in-state tuition and fees in Texas$4,080 a year (2023-24)
Years of study2
Exam fees$575
State licenseNo state license
Full calculator: Sonographer: the job and the route →

How the choice plays out by state

In a state without any imaging license, such as Alabama or North Carolina, both careers depend on national credentials alone. In Oregon, New Mexico, North Dakota, New Hampshire and DC, both need a state license. Everywhere else, only the x-ray side does. Read the sonographer route and the radiology tech route.

Questions students and technologists ask

Tap a question to see the answer.

Which is easier to get licensed, ultrasound or x-ray?

Ultrasound, on the state side: only 5 jurisdictions license sonographers, against 39 that credential radiographers. Both careers still need a national credential in practice, ARDMS or ARRT, and an accredited program. Programs in both fields include supervised clinical hours before graduation, and the national exams follow.

Can a radiologic technologist become a sonographer?

Yes, through a sonography program, often a certificate for people who already hold a health degree, then the ARDMS exams or the ARRT sonography discipline. ARRT also lists sonography among its primary disciplines, at the same application fee as radiography.

Which career has more programs?

Radiography: 482 programs reported 11,531 awards in 2023-24, against 311 sonography programs with 7,049 awards, in the IPEDS completions file. The comparison tool shows the numbers for your state. Some colleges teach both, so one campus visit can cover the two programs.

Next steps

Sonographer: the job and the route

What a sonographer does, the ARDMS route, the five places with a license, and what training costs by state.

How to become a radiology tech

Program, ARRT exam, state license: the route, its cost in your state and the states that license.

Sonographer license by state

Only 5 places license sonographers; the agency of each, and what the other states ask instead.

Rad tech license by state

39 jurisdictions issue a credential to radiographers; the word each uses, and the 12 that do not.

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.

Checked on · Editorial policy · Contact

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.