Virginia rad tech license: x-ray and sonographer rules

Virginia rad tech license: an x-ray technologist needs a state license, a sonographer none; 21 programs.

The state rules apply where you take the images

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

Virginia: 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, radiation therapy, radiologist assistant
AgencyVirginia Board of Medicine
Programs reported to IPEDS (2023-24)13 radiography, 8 sonography

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

How this is computed

Compiled by Radif Partners · How the rules were read

Virginia licenses radiologic technologists and limited radiologic technologists through the Board of Medicine, renews every two years in the birth month of odd-numbered years for $135, and makes one large exception: a technologist employed by a hospital, a health system or an affiliated urgent care center needs no board license to work there. ECPI University reported the largest radiography and sonography classes. The Virginia Board of Medicine licenses radiologic technologists and limited radiologic technologists. A license is renewed every two years, in the birth month of odd-numbered years, for $135. A technologist employed by a hospital, a health system or an affiliated urgent care center needs no Board of Medicine license to work in those settings (board FAQ 2). By awards in 2023-24, the largest programs were ECPI University in Virginia Beach (radiography, 58), Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond (radiography, 38), Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke (radiography, 36), ECPI University in Virginia Beach (sonography, 36), Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale (radiography, 32), Tidewater Community College in Norfolk (radiography, 32), Riverside College of Health Careers in Newport News (radiography, 21) and Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale (sonography, 21).

How to get the Virginia rad tech license

Apply to the Virginia Board of Medicine for the radiologic technologist or limited radiologic technologist license. Once licensed, renew in your birth month of each odd-numbered year; the board mails the new card within ten working days of payment. Also credentialed here: nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, radiologist assistant.

Virginia: imaging modalities with a state rule (ASRT table, read November 13, 2026)
ModalityState credential
RadiographyLicense
Nuclear medicineLicense
Radiation therapyLicense
Limited x-rayLicense
Radiologist assistantLicense
Virginia: fees printed on the agency page, read November 13, 2026
FeeAmount
Biennial renewal$135

Virginia rad tech and sonography schools

Virginia: the largest of 13 radiography and 8 sonography programs; public in-state median $5,127 and $5,331 a year (IPEDS 2023-24)
SchoolCityProgramAwards 2023-24In-state tuition and fees
ECPI UniversityVirginia BeachRadiography58$18,484
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondRadiography38$16,233
Virginia Western Community CollegeRoanokeRadiography36$5,256
ECPI UniversityVirginia BeachSonography36$18,484
Northern Virginia Community CollegeAnnandaleRadiography32$5,703
Tidewater Community CollegeNorfolkRadiography32$5,714
Riverside College of Health CareersNewport NewsRadiography21$12,846
Northern Virginia Community CollegeAnnandaleSonography21$5,703
Piedmont Virginia Community CollegeCharlottesvilleRadiography19$4,928
Southside College of Health SciencesColonial HeightsRadiography14$8,210

Tuition and exam: becoming a technologist in Virginia

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

Sonography in Virginia: tuition and exam

$11,237

$5,331 a year × 2 + ARDMS SPI and one specialty $575

Median public in-state tuition and fees in Virginia$5,331 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.

Do I need a Virginia license if I work in a hospital?

No. The Virginia Board of Medicine says that anyone employed or engaged by a hospital, a health care system, or an urgent care center affiliated with one, acting within that job as a radiologic technologist, is not required to hold a board license in those settings.

How much is a Virginia rad tech renewal?

$135, every two years, in your birth month of each odd-numbered year, according to the Board of Medicine’s FAQ we read on November 13, 2026. The current license is printed and mailed within ten working days of payment. Renew online to save time.

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

Yearly tuition and required fees for residents in 2023-24, from the IPEDS charges file, the five lowest: Virginia Highlands Community College in Abingdon, $4,863 ($10,866 for nonresidents); Southwest Virginia Community College in Cedar Bluff, $4,901 ($10,904 for nonresidents); Piedmont Virginia Community College in Charlottesville, $4,928 ($10,931 for nonresidents); Rappahannock Community College in Glenns, $4,958 ($10,961 for nonresidents); Central Virginia Community College in Lynchburg, $4,998 ($11,001 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.