Washington rad tech license: x-ray and sonographer rules

Washington rad tech license: an x-ray technologist needs a state certification, a sonographer none; 11 programs.

The state rules apply where you take the images

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

Washington: 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 operatorNo limited credential in the ASRT table
Other licensed modalitiesMRI, nuclear medicine, cardiac and vascular interventional, radiation therapy, radiologist assistant
AgencyWashington State Department of Health
Programs reported to IPEDS (2023-24)7 radiography, 4 sonography

Rule from the ASRT state table, checked against the page of Washington State Department of Health on November 13, 2026.

How this is computed

Compiled by Radif Partners · How the rules were read

Washington certifies radiologic technologists through the Department of Health, which also credentials limited scope x-ray technicians and radiologist assistants separately; the ASRT table adds MRI, nuclear medicine, interventional work and radiation therapy. Sonography is not credentialed. Pima Medical Institute in Seattle reported the largest radiography class and Bellevue College the largest sonography class in 2023-24. The Washington State Department of Health credentials radiologic technologists and, separately, limited scope x-ray technicians and radiologist assistants, through its HELMS licensing system. By awards in 2023-24, the largest programs were Pima Medical Institute-Seattle in Seattle (radiography, 46), Tacoma Community College in Tacoma (radiography, 28), Bellevue College in Bellevue (sonography, 27), Spokane Community College in Spokane (sonography, 23), Spokane Community College in Spokane (radiography, 20), Bellevue College in Bellevue (radiography, 17), Yakima Valley College in Yakima (radiography, 16) and Seattle University in Seattle (sonography, 15).

How to get the Washington rad tech license

Apply through the Department of Health’s HELMS licensing system for the radiologic technologist certification, or for the limited scope x-ray technician credential. Keep your contact details current to receive renewal notices. Also credentialed here: MRI, nuclear medicine, cardiac and vascular interventional, radiation therapy, radiologist assistant.

Washington: imaging modalities with a state rule (ASRT table, read November 13, 2026)
ModalityState credential
RadiographyCertified
MRICertified
Nuclear medicineCertified
Cardiac and vascular interventionalCertified
Radiation therapyCertified
Radiologist assistantCertified

Washington rad tech and sonography schools

Washington: the largest of 7 radiography and 4 sonography programs; public in-state median $5,019 and $4,305 a year (IPEDS 2023-24)
SchoolCityProgramAwards 2023-24In-state tuition and fees
Pima Medical Institute-SeattleSeattleRadiography46n/a
Tacoma Community CollegeTacomaRadiography28$4,920
Bellevue CollegeBellevueSonography27$4,305
Spokane Community CollegeSpokaneSonography23$4,057
Spokane Community CollegeSpokaneRadiography20$4,057
Bellevue CollegeBellevueRadiography17$4,305
Yakima Valley CollegeYakimaRadiography16$5,163
Seattle UniversitySeattleSonography15$54,285
Columbia Basin CollegePascoRadiography14$6,194
Tacoma Community CollegeTacomaSonography13$4,920

Tuition and exam: becoming a technologist in Washington

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

Sonography in Washington: tuition and exam

$9,185

$4,305 a year × 2 + ARDMS SPI and one specialty $575

Median public in-state tuition and fees in Washington$4,305 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.

What credential do Washington radiologic technologists need?

A certification from the Washington State Department of Health, applied for and renewed in its HELMS system. Limited scope x-ray technicians and radiologist assistants have their own separate credentials listed on the same page. Apply in HELMS before your first shift in Washington.

Where can I study sonography in Washington?

Bellevue College and Spokane Community College reported the two largest sonography classes in Washington to IPEDS for 2023-24. Tacoma Community College and Pima Medical Institute in Seattle train radiographers; all are listed on this page. Compare their resident prices before you apply.

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

Yearly tuition and required fees for residents in 2023-24, from the IPEDS charges file, the five lowest: Spokane Community College in Spokane, $4,057 ($5,494 for nonresidents); Bellevue College in Bellevue, $4,305 ($10,183 for nonresidents); Tacoma Community College in Tacoma, $4,920 ($11,030 for nonresidents); Wenatchee Valley College in Wenatchee, $5,118 ($5,652 for nonresidents); Yakima Valley College in Yakima, $5,163 ($5,697 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.