New Hampshire Diagnostic Medical Sonographer License Requirements (2026)
Editorial Note: This page is editorially reviewed by a practicing ARDMS-credentialed sonographer as part of AlliedLicenseGuide.com’s allied health licensing database. The author holds active ARDMS credentials and reviews DMS licensing content with direct professional expertise. Primary source: RSA 328-J:11 — Licensure; Medical Imaging Professionals and Radiation Therapists.
New Hampshire Diagnostic Medical Sonographer License Requirements (2026)
Do You Need a License to Be a Sonographer in New Hampshire?
Yes. New Hampshire requires diagnostic medical sonographers to hold an active state license issued by the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC). To qualify, applicants must complete an approved sonography program and hold current ARDMS, ARRT, or CCI certification. New Hampshire does not require a separate state licensing examination.
Who This Guide Is For
- Sonography students and recent graduates preparing to practice in New Hampshire
- Sonographers relocating to New Hampshire from another state, including those applying under the state’s licensure-by-endorsement pathway
- Travel sonographers placed on assignment in New Hampshire — unlike most states, New Hampshire requires an individual state license even for short-term assignments
At a Glance: New Hampshire Sonographer Licensure
| License required? | Yes — New Hampshire is among a small group of states that individually license sonographers, alongside New Mexico, North Dakota, and Oregon |
| Credential name | Sonographer License |
| Governing body | NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC), Advisory Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy |
| Available pathways | Initial licensure (course of study + national certification); Licensure by endorsement for applicants from substantially similar jurisdictions |
| Application fee | $170.00 (OPLC’s current fee page lists $170.00; the codified rule, Plc 1002.26, lists $155.00 as of its last amendment. Verify the current amount directly with OPLC before applying.) |
| Application method | Online via OPLC application portal (paper application available by mail) |
| Background check | Yes — criminal history record release required |
| Accepted national credentials | ARDMS, ARRT, or CCI certification (not ARDMS-exclusive) |
| Separate state exam? | No — New Hampshire relies on the applicant’s national certification exam |
| Education requirement | Completion of a sonography program approved, accredited, or accepted for certification by ARDMS, ARRT, or CCI |
| Interstate compact | None — no DMS-specific interstate compact exists nationally |
| Reciprocity / endorsement | Available for applicants licensed in a jurisdiction with substantially similar requirements (RSA 310:17) |
New Hampshire Requires Individual Sonographer Licensure — Here’s Why That Matters
Most U.S. states do not require sonographers to hold an individual state license. New Hampshire is among a small group of states that require individual state licensure for sonographers, alongside New Mexico, North Dakota, and Oregon. Anyone performing diagnostic medical sonography in the state — whether employed permanently or working a short-term travel assignment — must hold a sonographer license issued by the Advisory Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, administered through the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification.
The practical effect for working sonographers is straightforward. National certification through ARDMS, ARRT, or CCI remains the foundation of eligibility, but it is not sufficient on its own to practice in New Hampshire — the state license itself is the legal authorization to work. Sonographers moving to New Hampshire, including those on travel contracts, should build licensing lead time into their relocation or assignment planning rather than assuming reciprocity is automatic.
What Makes New Hampshire Different
New Hampshire folds sonographer licensure into a broader regulatory structure — the Advisory Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy also licenses radiographers, nuclear medicine technologists, radiation therapists, MRI technologists, and several cardiovascular specialties under the same statutory chapter. Rather than requiring a state-specific sonography exam, the state accepts current certification from ARDMS, ARRT, or CCI as evidence of competency, layering a state license on top of national credentialing rather than replacing it.
Portability and Endorsement
No interstate compact currently covers diagnostic medical sonography. However, New Hampshire offers licensure by endorsement to applicants who already hold an active license in good standing from a jurisdiction the OPLC has determined has substantially similar requirements. This pathway was streamlined under HB 594 (effective May 3, 2024). Because New Hampshire is one of the few states that licenses sonographers at all, most incoming applicants will be applying for their first-ever sonography license rather than transferring an equivalent one — endorsement primarily benefits sonographers relocating from New Mexico, North Dakota, or Oregon.
How to Apply
- Confirm eligibility. Complete an approved course of study in sonography and hold (or be eligible for) current certification from ARDMS, ARRT, or CCI.
- Submit the online application. Apply through the OPLC’s online application portal, which also allows status checks.
- Complete the criminal background check. Submit a criminal history record release through the New Hampshire Division of State Police as part of the application.
- Pay the application fee. The application fee is $170.00.
- Await processing and licensure. Once approved, the initial license is valid for two years from the date of issuance.
Practical Notes
Editorial note: If you’re coming to New Hampshire from one of the 46 states that doesn’t license sonographers individually, don’t assume your national certification alone clears you to work — it doesn’t. Budget real lead time for the state application and background check before your start date, especially for travel assignments. Confirm current processing times directly with OPLC before committing to a start date, as this was not independently confirmed in primary sources at time of writing.
Relevant Statutes
- RSA 328-J:11 — Licensure; Medical Imaging Professionals and Radiation Therapists
- N.H. Admin. Code Plc 304.12 — Duration of Initial Licenses
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
Does New Hampshire require a separate state exam to become a licensed sonographer?
No. New Hampshire does not administer its own sonography licensing exam, and unlike some other licensed professions in the state, sonographers are not required to pass a jurisprudence (state law) exam either. The qualification requirements are limited to age, education, course of study, and current national certification from ARRT, ARDMS, or CCI (N.H. Admin. Code Plc 1304.07).
Can I work as a travel sonographer in New Hampshire without a New Hampshire license?
No. New Hampshire law requires licensure before practicing sonography in the state, regardless of assignment length. There is no temporary travel-sonographer exemption identified in the statutes or regulations reviewed. Travel sonographers should apply for New Hampshire licensure well in advance of any assignment in the state.
Is there an interstate compact that lets my out-of-state sonography license transfer to New Hampshire?
No. There is currently no DMS-specific interstate compact. New Hampshire does offer licensure by endorsement for applicants from jurisdictions with substantially similar requirements, which may streamline the process for sonographers relocating from New Mexico, North Dakota, or Oregon — the only other states that license sonographers individually.
What is the application fee for a New Hampshire sonographer license?
OPLC’s current fee schedule lists $170.00 for the application, renewal, and reinstatement fee. Note that the codified administrative rule, Plc 1002.26, lists $155.00 as of its last amendment — applicants should verify the current amount directly with OPLC before applying.
Is a background check required to become licensed?
Yes. Applicants must obtain a criminal history record release through the New Hampshire Division of State Police as part of the initial licensure process, as required under RSA 328-J:7-a.
How long is a New Hampshire sonographer license valid before it must be renewed?
Initial licenses are valid for two years from the date of issuance, per N.H. Admin. Code Plc 304.12.
Disclaimer: This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Licensing requirements, fees, and procedures are subject to change. Always verify current requirements directly with the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification before submitting an application.
Change Log:
2026-06-20 — Page created. Initial verification completed against RSA 328-J:11 and N.H. Admin. Code Plc 300/1300/1309 series via direct fetch and user-confirmed OPLC page content. Jurisprudence exam confirmed NOT required (Plc 1304.07 exhaustive qualifications list). Processing time and specialty permits not identified in sources reviewed as of this date — flagged for follow-up, not stated as fact.
2026-06-20 — ChatGPT editorial review applied: disclosed $155 (Plc 1002.26 codified rule) vs $170 (live OPLC fee page) fee discrepancy rather than presenting either figure as uncontested; softened “one of only four states” language to be more evergreen; refined education requirement summary to name ARDMS/ARRT/CCI directly; added featured-snippet H2 answering “Do You Need a License to Be a Sonographer in New Hampshire?”; strengthened travel-sonographer FAQ. Removed reviewer’s personal name from public-facing Practical Notes per standing site rule (anonymized “Editorial note:” attribution only).