25 Tex. Admin. Code § 289.226 – Registration of Radiation Machine Use and Services

(a) Scope and purpose.
1. (1) This section provides for the registration of persons using radiation machines and persons who are in the business of providing radiation machine installation or radiation services. No person shall use radiation machines or perform radiation services except as authorized in a certificate of registration issued by the agency in accordance with the requirements of this section. A person who has made application for registration in accordance with this section and is using a radiation machine prior to receiving a certificate of registration is subject to the requirements of this chapter.
2. (2) In addition to the requirements of this section, all registrants are subject to the requirements of §289.112 of this title (relating to Hearing and Enforcement Procedures), §289.114 of this title (relating to Notices, Instructions, and Reports to Workers; Inspections), §289.201 of this title (relating to General Provisions), §289.202 of this title (relating to Standards for Protection Against Radiation), and §289.204 of this title (relating to Fees for Certificates of Registration, Radioactive Material(s) Licenses, Emergency Planning and Implementation, and Other Regulatory Services). Registrants using radiation machines in industrial radiographic operations are subject to the requirements of §289.115 of this title (relating to Radiation Safety Requirements and Licensing and Registration Procedures for Industrial Radiography); registrants using machines in the healing arts and veterinary medicine are subject to the requirements of §289.227 of this title (relating to Use of Radiation Machines in the Healing Arts and Veterinary Medicine); registrants using mammography x-ray equipment are subject to the requirements of §289.230 of this title (relating to Certification of Mammography Systems); registrants using analytical x-ray equipment are subject to the requirements of §289.118 of this title (relating to Radiation Safety Requirements for Analytical X-Ray Equipment); and registrants using particle accelerators are subject to the requirements of §289.119 of this title (relating to Radiation Safety Requirements for Particle Accelerators). If an accelerator is used to produce radioactive materials, a license issued in accordance with §289.252 of this title (relating to Licensing of Radioactive Material) is required. Services listed in subsection (a)(3) of this section may constitute the practice of medical physics and, therefore, require a license from the Texas Board of Licensure for Professional Medical Physicists in accordance with the Medical Physics Practice Act, Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4512n.
3. (3) For the purposes of this section, radiation services shall include, but may not be limited to the following:
  1. (A) provision of radiation protection or health physics consultations or surveys that require the consultant to operate or cause a radiation machine to be operated in order to make measurements or gather data;
  2. (B) presentation of agency-accepted training courses;
  3. (C) calibration of radiation machine output;
  4. (D) calibration of survey and measurement instruments;
  5. (E) demonstration and sales of radiation machines that require the individual to operate or cause a radiation machine to be operated in order to demonstrate or sell;
  6. (F) assembly (i.e., installation, repair, or maintenance);
  7. (G) provision of personnel monitoring services;
  8. (H) performance of equipment performance evaluations on radiation machines; or
  9. (I) provision of radiation machines on a routine basis to a facility for limited time periods. For purposes of this section, a person providing the services described in this subparagraph is a provider of equipment. For healing arts facilities, the use of radiation machines shall be directed by a licensed practitioner employed by the contracting facility.
4. (4) For purposes of this section, a practitioner of the healing arts is a person licensed to practice healing arts by either the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners as a physician, the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners, or the Texas State Board of Podiatry Examiners.
5. (5) Exposure of an individual for training, demonstration, or other non-healing arts purposes is prohibited.
(b) Exemptions.
1. (1) Electronic equipment that produces radiation incidental to its operation for other purposes is exempt from the registration and notification requirements of this section, provided that the dose equivalent rate averaged over an area of 10 square centimeters (cm[sup]2[/sup]) does not exceed 0.5 millirem per hour (mrem/hr) at 5 centimeters (cm) from any accessible surface of such equipment. The production, testing, or factory servicing of such equipment shall not be exempt.
2. (2) Radiation machines in transit or in storage incident to transit are exempt from the requirements of this section. This exemption does not apply to the providers of radiation machines for mobile services. Facilities that have placed all radiation machines in storage, including storage in place, and have notified the agency in writing, are exempt from the requirements of this section. This exemption is void if any radiation machine is energized resulting in the production of radiation.
3. (3) Domestic television receivers and video display terminals, including the servicing of such devices, are exempt from the requirements of this section.
4. (4) Inoperable radiation machines are exempt from the requirements of this section. For the purposes of this section, an inoperable radiation machine means a radiation machine that cannot be energized when connected to a power supply without repair or modification.
5. (5) Financial institutions that take possession of radiation machines as the result of foreclosure, bankruptcy, or other default of payment are exempt from the requirements in this section to the extent that they demonstrate that the unit is operable for the sole purpose of selling, leasing, or transferring.
6. (6) Facilities, including academic institutions and research and/or development facilities, registered for the use of radiation machines are exempt from the registration requirements of subsection (e) of this section and subsection (i) of this section to the extent that their personnel perform radiation services only for the facility by whom they are employed.
(c) Application for registration.
1. (1) Application for registration shall be completed on forms prescribed by the agency and shall contain all the information required by the form and accompanying instructions.
2. (2) A radiation safety officer (RSO) shall be designated on each application form. The qualifications of that individual shall be submitted to the agency with the application. The RSO shall meet the applicable requirements of subsection (s)(1) of this section and carry out the responsibilities of subsection (s)(2) of this section.
3. (3) The agency may at any time after the filing of the original application require further statements in order to enable the agency to determine whether the certificate of registration should be issued, denied, modified, or revoked.
4. (4) An application for a certificate of registration may include a request for a certificate of registration authorizing one or more activities. Applications for certification of mammography systems must be made separately.
5. (5) Applications and documents submitted to the agency may be made available for public inspection except that the agency may withhold any document or part thereof from public inspection in accordance with §289.201(n) of this title.
6. (6) Each application for a certificate of registration shall be accompanied by the fee prescribed in §289.204 of this title.
7. (7) BRC Form 226-1 shall be submitted with the application to confirm that no tax owed the state under Tax Code, Chapter 171, is delinquent.
(d) Application for registration for human or veterinary use of radiation machines. In addition to the requirements of subsection (c) of this section, each applicant shall comply with the following.
1. (1) Each person having a radiation machine used in healing arts or veterinary medicine shall apply for registration with the agency within 30 days following the commencement of the operation of the radiation machine, except for mobile services that shall be registered in accordance with subsection (g) of this section, clinical trial evaluations that shall be registered in accordance with subsection (m)(2)(B) of this section, and healing arts screening programs that shall be approved in accordance with subsection (f)(1) of §289.227 of this title.
2. (2) Each person having an accelerator for human use shall apply for and receive a certificate of registration from the agency before activation, including acceptance testing, of the accelerator.
3. (3) The applicant shall be qualified by reason of training and experience to use the radiation machine(s) for the purpose requested in accordance with this section in such a manner as to minimize danger to public health and safety.
4. (4) The applicant's proposed equipment, facilities, and operating and safety procedures shall be adequate to minimize danger to public health and safety.
5. (5) An application for healing arts must be signed by a licensed practitioner and an application for veterinary medicine must be signed by a licensed veterinarian. The signature of the administrator, president, or chief executive officer will be accepted in lieu of a licensed practitioner's signature if the facility is a licensed hospital or a medical facility with more than ten radiation machines. The application shall also be signed by the RSO if the RSO is someone other than the licensed practitioner or licensed veterinarian.
6. (6) An application for accelerators for human use must be signed by a practitioner licensed by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners. The signature of the administrator, president, or chief executive officer will be accepted in lieu of a licensed practitioner's signature if the facility is a licensed hospital or a medical facility with more than ten radiation machines. The application shall also be signed by the RSO if the RSO is someone other than the licensed practitioner. Each applicant shall submit operating and safety procedures as described in 35.3 and 35.10 of Texas Regulations for Control of Radiation (TRCR) Part 35 as adopted by reference in §289.119 of this title, and a description of the proposed facilities in accordance with 35.7-35.9 and 35.12 of TRCR Part 35 as adopted by reference in §289.119 of this title.
(e) Application for registration of radiation machine assembly, calibration, or repair, consultants, providers of equipment, and radiation services other than providers of personnel monitoring service, agency-accepted training courses, and calibration of survey and measurement instruments. In addition to the requirements of subsection (c) of this section, each applicant shall comply with the following.
1. (1) Each person who intends to engage in the business of providing radiation services described in subsection (a)(3) of this section shall apply for and receive a certificate of registration from the agency before providing such service.
2. (2) An application for radiation services shall be signed by the applicant or registrant or a person duly authorized to act for and on the applicant's or registrant's behalf. The application shall also be signed by the RSO if the RSO is someone other than the applicant or registrant.
3. (3) The applicant shall submit to the agency written documentation of the specific training and experience that qualifies each individual to discharge the duties of this service. Documentation of each individual's training shall be maintained for inspection by the agency. As a minimum, each applicant shall submit the following:
  1. (A) for assembler and/or calibration of x-ray equipment, the qualifications listed in subsection (s)(3) of this section;
  2. (B) for all other services, the qualifications listed in subsection (s)(1)(A) of this section.
4. (4) No person shall perform services specified in this subsection that are not specifically authorized by the agency.
5. (5) No person shall perform these machine services, other than initial installation of the first machine on the premises, for an individual who cannot produce evidence of registration with the agency authorizing the possession and use of the machines in question.
6. (6) The applicant shall submit the interval to be followed to calibrate electronic equipment used in radiation machine servicing (e.g., kVp meters, voltmeters).
7. (7) Each applicant for providers of equipment shall submit the following:
  1. (A) an established main location where the machine, records, etc. will be maintained for inspection. This must be a street address, not a post office box number;
  2. (B) evidence that the healing arts facility responsible for administering or supervising the administering of radiation is registered in accordance with the rules in this section;
  3. (C) current copy of the applicant's operating and safety procedures; and
  4. (D) a list of facilities where equipment will be provided.
(f) Application for registration for provider of personnel monitoring services. In addition to the requirements of subsection (c) of this section, each applicant shall comply with the following.
1. (1) Each person who intends to provide personnel monitoring services shall apply for and receive a certificate of registration from the agency before providing such services.
2. (2) An application for personnel monitoring services shall be signed by the applicant or registrant or a person duly authorized to act for and on the applicant's or registrant's behalf. The application shall also be signed by the RSO if the RSO is someone other than the applicant or registrant.
3. (3) The applicant shall submit documentation that the facility has been accredited by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation for Personnel Dosimetry Processors of the National Institute of Science and Technology in accordance with accreditation criteria established in 15 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 7b, as amended.
4. (4) The maximum allowable time delay between the end date of the monitoring period and the date at which processing will not be performed shall be stated.
5. (5) The maximum time between processing and reporting results shall be stated.
(g) Application for registration of mobile services used in the healing arts and veterinary medicine. In addition to the requirements of subsections (c) and (d) of this section or §289.230(f) of this title, as applicable, each applicant shall apply for and receive authorization for mobile services before beginning mobile service operation. The following shall be submitted.
1. (1) An established main location where the machine, records, etc. will be maintained for inspection. This must be a street address, not a post office box number.
2. (2) A sketch or description of the normal configuration of each x-ray unit's use, including the operator's position and any ancillary personnel's location during exposures. If a mobile van is used with a fixed unit inside, furnish the floor plan indicating protective shielding and the operator's location.
3. (3) For mobile services used in the healing arts, current copy of the applicant's operating and safety procedures regarding radiological practices for protection of patients, operators, employees, and the general public.
(h) Application for registration for use of radiation machines in industrial radiography, analytical equipment, accelerators for non-human use, and academic and/or research and development facilities. In addition to the requirements of subsection (c) of this section, each applicant shall comply with the following.
1. (1) Each person having analytical equipment or radiation machines in an academic institution and/or research and development facility, shall apply for registration with the agency within 30 days following the commencement of the operation of the radiation machines.
2. (2) Each person having an accelerator for non-human use or a radiation machine used in industrial radiographic operations shall apply for and receive a certificate of registration from the agency before beginning use of the accelerator or radiation machine.
3. (3) An application for industrial radiographic operations, analytical x-ray, accelerators for non-human use and radiation machines in academic institutions and/or research and development facilities shall be signed by the applicant or registrant or a person duly authorized to act for and on the applicant's or registrant's behalf. The application shall also be signed by the RSO if the RSO is someone other than the applicant or registrant.
4. (4) Each applicant for industrial radiographic operations shall submit the information required in 31.46 of TRCR Part 31 as adopted by reference in §289.115 of this title.
5. (5) Each applicant for accelerators for non-human use shall submit the following:
  1. (A) operating and safety procedures as described in 35.3 and 35.10 of TRCR Part 35 as adopted by reference in §289.119 of this title; and
  2. (B) a description of the applicant's proposed facilities in accordance with 35.7-35.9, and 35.12 of TRCR Part 35 as adopted by reference in §289.119 of this title.
(i) Application for registration of calibration of survey and measurement instruments. In addition to the requirements of subsection (c) of this section, each applicant shall comply with the following.
1. (1) Each person who intends to engage in the business of providing calibration of survey and measurement instruments shall apply for and receive a certificate of registration from the agency before providing services.
2. (2) An application for calibration of survey and measurement instruments shall be signed by the applicant or registrant or a person duly authorized to act for and on the applicant's or registrant's behalf. The application shall also be signed by the RSO if the RSO is someone other than the applicant or registrant.
3. (3) Each applicant shall submit the following:
  1. (A) procedures for calibration;
  2. (B) qualifications of personnel performing the calibration;
  3. (C) a copy of the calibration certificate to be used; and
  4. (D) a copy of the expiration sticker to be used.
(j) Application for registration of agency-accepted training courses. In addition to the requirements of subsection (c) of this section, each applicant shall comply with the following.
1. (1) Each person who intends to engage in the business of providing agency-accepted training courses shall apply for and receive a certificate of registration from the agency before providing training.
2. (2) An application for agency-accepted training courses shall be signed by the applicant or registrant or a person duly authorized to act for and on the applicant's or registrant's behalf. The application shall also be signed by the RSO if the RSO is someone other than the applicant or registrant.
3. (3) Each applicant shall submit the following:
  1. (A) a course syllabus;
  2. (B) the number of instructional hours for each subject;
  3. (C) a list of training resources (e.g., reference books, texts, workbooks, physical facilities, etc.);
  4. (D) all test questions and corresponding answers; and
  5. (E) resumes containing the radiation safety training, education, and experience of each instructor.
(k) Issuance of certificate of registration.
1. (1) Upon a determination that an application meets the requirements of the Texas Radiation Control Act (Act) and the requirements of the agency, the agency may issue a certificate of registration authorizing the proposed activity in such form and containing such conditions and limitations as it deems appropriate or necessary.
2. (2) The agency may incorporate in the certificate of registration at the time of issuance, or thereafter by amendment, such additional requirements and conditions with respect to the registrant's possession, use, and transfer of radiation machines subject to this part as it deems appropriate or necessary in order to:
  1. (A) minimize danger to public health and safety;
  2. (B) require such reports and the keeping of such records, and to provide for such inspections of activities under the registration as may be appropriate or necessary; and
  3. (C) prevent loss or theft of radiation machines subject to this section.
(l) Specific terms and conditions of certificates of registration.
1. (1) Each certificate of registration issued in accordance with this section shall be subject to the applicable provisions of the Act, now or hereafter in effect, and to the applicable requirements and orders of the agency.
2. (2) No certificate of registration issued or granted under this section shall be transferred, assigned, or in any manner disposed of, either voluntarily or involuntarily, to any person unless the agency authorizes the transfer in writing.
3. (3) Each person registered by the agency for radiation machine use in accordance with this section shall confine use and possession of the radiation machine registered to the locations and purposes authorized in the certificate of registration.
(m) Responsibilities of registrant.
1. (1) The registrant shall notify the agency in writing of any changes that would render the information contained in the application for registration and/or the certificate of registration inaccurate.
  1. (A) Notification is required within 30 days of any change of radiation machine inventory. This includes installation or removal and the disposition of any machine disposed of or transferred. The assembler's notification of installation may be accepted in lieu of notification by the registrant with the exception of mammographic x-ray units. This does not relieve the registrant of the responsibility to assure that proper notification has been made.
  2. (B) Notification is required within 30 days of the following changes:
    1. (i) name and mailing address;
    2. (ii) street address where machine(s) will be used;
    3. (iii) radiation safety officer;
    4. (iv) type of servicing and/or services provided; or
    5. (v) name of facility contracted for "provider of equipment."
  3. (C) Notification is required prior to any changes that would render the information contained in the application or the certification of mammography systems inaccurate.
2. (2) The following criteria applies to loaner units and units used for clinical trial evaluations.
  1. (A) Radiation machines used for clinical trial evaluations and loaner units may be used for up to 60 days without adding the unit to an existing certificate of registration. The facility is required to notify the agency in writing of the period of use. If the use period will exceed 60 days, the facility will be required to add the unit to their certificate of registration and a fee will be assessed.
  2. (B) Facilities who do not have existing certificates of registration may not evaluate radiation machines unless an application for a certificate of registration has been submitted to the agency along with the appropriate fees prior to beginning use of the unit.
  3. (C) No fees will be assessed for the operation of loaner units or evaluation periods of 60 days or less unless the loaner units or evaluation periods are in a facility described in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph.
3. (3) No registrant shall engage any person for services described in subsection (e) of this section until such person provides evidence of registration with the agency.
4. (4) Records of training and experience required by this section shall be maintained for review until disposal is authorized by the agency.
5. (5) The following applies to voluntary or involuntary petitions for bankruptcy.
  1. (A) Each registrant shall notify the agency, in writing, immediately following the filing of a voluntary or involuntary petition for bankruptcy under any Chapters of Title 11 (Bankruptcy) of the United States Code (11 USC) by or against:
    1. (i) a registrant;
    2. (ii) an entity (as that term is defined in 11 USC 101(14)) controlling a registrant or listing the certificate of registration or registrant as property of the estate; or
    3. (iii) an affiliate (as that term is defined in 11 USC 101(2)) of the registrant.
  2. (B) This notification must include:
    1. (i) the bankruptcy court in which the petition for bankruptcy was filed; and
    2. (ii) the date of the filing of the petition.
  3. (C) A copy of the "petition for bankruptcy" shall be submitted to the agency along with the written notification.
6. (6) The registrant is responsible for complying with this chapter and the conditions of the certificate of registration.
7. (7) No person shall use machines or perform services that are not authorized in the certificate of registration issued by the agency.
8. (8) Assembler and/or transferor obligations are as follows.
  1. (A) No person shall transfer a radiation machine to or install for, other than initial installation of the first machine on the premises, any person who does not possess a current certificate of registration issued by the agency in accordance with this section.
  2. (B) Any person who sells, leases, lends, disposes, assembles, installs, or otherwise transfers radiation machines in the state shall notify the agency of the following information within 15 days of such action:
    1. (i) the name, address, and certificate of registration number, except in the case of initial machine installation, of persons who have received such machines;
    2. (ii) the type of radiation machine, the manufacturer, model, and control panel serial number of each radiation machine; and
    3. (iii) the date of transfer or disposal of each radiation machine.
  3. (C) In the case of diagnostic x-ray systems that contain certified components, a copy of the assembler's report on United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) form 2579, prepared in compliance with requirements of the federal diagnostic x-ray standards (21 CFR 1020.30(d)), shall be submitted to the agency within 15 days following completion of the assembly. Such report shall suffice in lieu of any other report by the assembler to the agency.
  4. (D) No person shall make, sell, lease, transfer, lend, assemble, or install radiation machines or the components of such machines unless such machines and equipment, when properly placed in operation and used, meet the applicable requirements of this chapter.
(n) Expiration of certificates of registration.
1. (1) Except as provided by subsection (p) of this section, each certificate of registration that specifies an expiration date expires at the end of the day on that date. Expiration of the certificate of registration does not relieve the registrant of the requirements of this chapter.
2. (2) If a registrant does not submit an application for renewal of the certificate of registration under subsection (p) of this section, as applicable, the registrant shall on or before the expiration date specified in the certificate of registration:
  1. (A) terminate use of all radiation machines and/or terminate radiation machine servicing or radiation services;
  2. (B) submit a record of the disposition of the x-ray units; and
  3. (C) pay any outstanding fees in accordance with §289.204 of this title.
(o) Termination of certificates of registration. When a registrant decides to terminate all activities involving radiation machines or services authorized under the certificate of registration, the registrant shall notify the agency immediately and:
1. (1) request termination of the certificate of registration in writing;
2. (2) submit a record of the disposition of the x-ray units; and
3. (3) pay any outstanding fees in accordance with §289.204 of this title.
(p) Renewal of certificate of registration.
1. (1) Application for renewal of registration shall be filed in accordance with subsection (c)(1)-(5) of this section, and applicable paragraphs of subsections (d)-(f) of this section and subsections (h)-(j) of this section, and §289.230(f) of this title as applicable.
2. (2) If a registrant files an application in proper form before the existing certificate of registration expires, such existing certificate of registration shall not expire until the application status has been determined by the agency.
(q) Modification and revocation of certificates of registration.
1. (1) The terms and conditions of all certificates of registration shall be subject to amendment, revision, or modification. A certificate of registration may be suspended or revoked by reason of amendments to the Act, or by reason of rules in this chapter and orders issued by the agency.
2. (2) Any certificate of registration may be revoked, suspended, or modified, in whole or in part, for any of the following:
  1. (A) any material false statement in the application or any statement of fact required under provisions of the Act;
  2. (B) conditions revealed by such application or statement of fact or any report, record, or inspection, or other means that would warrant the agency to refuse to grant a certificate of registration on an original application; or
  3. (C) violation of, or failure to observe any of the terms and conditions of the Act, this chapter, or of the certificate of registration, or order of the agency.
3. (3) Except in cases of willfulness or those in which the public health, interest or safety requires otherwise, no certificate of registration shall be modified, suspended, or revoked unless, prior to the institution of proceedings therefore, facts or conduct that may warrant such action shall have been called to the attention of the registrant in writing and the registrant shall have been afforded an opportunity to demonstrate or achieve compliance with all lawful requirements.
(r) Reciprocal recognition of out-of-state certificates of registration.
1. (1) Whenever any radiation machine is to be brought into the state for any temporary use, the person proposing to bring such machine into the state shall file written notice with the agency at least three working days before such machine is to be used in the state. The notice shall include:
  1. (A) the number(s) and type(s) of radiation machine(s);
  2. (B) the nature, start date, duration, and scope of use;
  3. (C) the exact location(s) where the radiation machine(s) is (are) to be used;
  4. (D) the name(s) of the Texas licensed practitioner(s) if the machines are used to irradiate human beings;
  5. (E) a copy of the person's operating and safety procedures; and
  6. (F) the name(s) and address(es) where the machine user(s) can be reached while in the state.
2. (2) If, for a specific case, the three-day period would impose an undue hardship on the person, he/she may, at the determination of the agency, obtain permission to proceed sooner.
3. (3) The out-of-state person shall provide a copy of their certificate of registration or equivalent document. If the state from which the machines are proposed to be brought does not issue certificates of registration or equivalent documents, a certificate of registration must be obtained from the agency in accordance with the provisions of this section.
4. (4) In addition, the out-of-state person shall:
  1. (A) submit an annual fee as specified in §289.204(e)(7) of this title;
  2. (B) comply with all applicable requirements of the agency; and
  3. (C) supply the agency with such other information as the agency may reasonably request.
5. (5) The agency may withdraw, limit, or qualify its acceptance of any certificate of registration or equivalent document issued by another agency upon determining that such action is necessary in order to prevent undue hazard to public health and safety or property.
6. (6) Whenever radiation services are to be provided by a person from out-of-state for any temporary use, that person shall apply for and receive a certificate of registration from the agency before providing services. The application shall be filed in accordance with subsection (c) of this section and subsections (e)-(f) of this section and subsections (i)-(j) of this section as applicable.
(s) Appendices.
1. (1) Requirements for RSOs for registrants.
  1. (A) All RSOs shall meet the following general requirements in addition to requirements in specific categories except for industrial radiography RSOs:
    1. (i) educational courses related to ionizing radiation safety or a radiation safety officer course;
    2. (ii) experience in the use and familiarity of the type of equipment used; and
    3. (iii) knowledge of potential radiation hazards or emergency precautions.
  2. (B) Specific requirements for RSOs by facility are as follows:
    1. (i) healing arts facilities shall have:
      1. (I) licensed practitioner RSOs with documentation of licensing board number; or
      2. (II) non-practitioner RSOs with the following:
        (-a-) evidence of a valid general certificate issued under the Medical Radiologic Technologist Certification Act, Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4512m, and at least two years of supervised use of radiation machines;
        (-b-) evidence of a valid limited general certificate issued under the Medical Radiologic Technologist Certification Act, Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4512m, and at least four years of supervised use of radiation machines;
        (-c-) evidence of registry by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) or the American Registry of Clinical Radiologic Technologists (ARCRT) and at least two years of supervised use of radiation machines;
        (-d-) evidence of associate degree in radiologic technology, health physics, or nuclear technology, and at least two years of supervised use of radiation machines;
        (-e-) evidence of registration with the Board of Nurse Examiners as a Registered Nurse or a Registered Nurse with an extended scope of practice (Nurse Practitioner) performing radiologic procedures, and at least two years of supervised use of radiation machines in the respective practitioners' specialty;
        (-f-) evidence of registration with the Texas State Board of Physician Assistant Examiners, and at least two years of supervised use of radiation machines in the respective practitioners' specialty;
        (-g-) evidence of:registration with the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners performing radiologic procedures under a physician's instruction and direction;registration with the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners performing radiologic procedures under a dentist's instruction and direction or evidence of a valid certificate as a registered dental hygienist;registration with the Texas State Board of Chiropractic Examiners performing radiologic procedures under a chiropractor's instruction and direction; orregistration with the Texas State Board of Podiatry Examiners performing radiologic procedures under a podiatrist's instruction and direction; andat least four years of supervised use of radiation machines in the respective practitioners' specialty;
        (-h-) for radiotherapy facilities, evidence of registry by the ARRT or ARCRT and at least four years of supervised experience in radiotherapy;
        (-i-) evidence of bachelor's (or higher) degree in a natural or physical science, health physics, radiological science, nuclear medicine, or nuclear engineering; or
        (-j-) evidence of a current Texas license under the Medical Physics Practice Act, Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4512n, in one or more of the following appropriate specialties:medical health physics, diagnostic radiological physics, or medical nuclear physics for diagnostic x-ray facilities; ormedical health physics or therapeutic radiological physics for radiotherapy facilities.
    2. (ii) Veterinary facilities shall have:
      1. (I) veterinarian RSOs with documentation of veterinary license board number; or
      2. (II) non-veterinarian RSOs with two years minimum experience in the use of radiation machines in veterinary medicine under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.
    3. (iii) Academic institutions and/or research and development facilities shall have RSOs who are faculty or staff members in radiation protection, radiation engineering, or related disciplines. (This individual may also serve as the RSO over the healing arts section of the facility.)
    4. (iv) Industrial radiography operations shall have RSOs who meet the requirements of 31.23 of TRCR Part 31 as adopted by reference in §289.115 of this title.
  3. (C) Exemptions. The RSO identified on a certificate of registration issued before September 1, 1993, need not comply with the training requirements in this subsection.
2. (2) Responsibilities of radiation safety officers for certificates of registration. Specific duties of the RSO include, but are not limited to, the following:
  1. (A) establishing and overseeing operating and safety procedures that maintain radiation exposures as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA), and to review them regularly to ensure that the procedures are current and conform with this chapter;
  2. (B) ensuring that personnel monitoring devices are properly used by occupationally-exposed personnel, that records are kept of the monitoring results, and that timely notifications are made as required by §289.114 of this title;
  3. (C) investigating and reporting to the agency each known or suspected case of radiation exposure to an individual or radiation level detected in excess of limits established by this chapter and each theft or loss of source(s) of radiation, determining the cause, and taking steps to prevent its recurrence;
  4. (D) having a thorough knowledge of management policies and administrative procedures of the registrant and keeping management informed on a periodic basis of the performance of the registrant's radiation protection program;
  5. (E) assuming control and having the authority to institute corrective actions including shut-down of operations when necessary in emergency situations or unsafe conditions;
  6. (F) maintaining records as required by this chapter;
  7. (G) ensuring that personnel are adequately trained and complying with this chapter, the conditions of the certificate of registration, and the operating and safety procedures of the registrant.
3. (3) Minimum education and training for persons performing radiation machine assembly, maintenance, and repair. All persons performing radiation machine assembly, maintenance, and repair shall meet the general requirements in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph and one or more of the specialized requirements in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph.
  1. (A) General requirements include:
    1. (i) experience or education providing familiarity with the type(s) of equipment to be serviced to include radiation safety;
    2. (ii) knowledge of protective measures to reduce potentially hazardous conditions; and
    3. (iii) six months of supervised assembly and repair of the type(s) of equipment to be serviced.
  2. (B) Specialized requirements include:
    1. (i) one year of formal training (may be satisfied by factory school, military technical training school, or other courses in radiation machine assembly, maintenance, and repair techniques) or an associate's degree in biomedical equipment repair;
    2. (ii) bachelor's degree in electrical engineering with specialized training in radiation producing devices; or
    3. (iii) combination of training and experience equal to clause (i) of this subparagraph.
  3. (C) Exemptions. A registrant holding a valid certificate of registration who has hired individuals to perform services before September 1, 1993, need not comply with the education and training requirements in this paragraph. Individuals hired after September 1, 1993, must comply with the education and training requirements in this paragraph.

Source Note:The provisions of this §289.226 adopted to be effective June 1, 1998, 23 TexReg 3491.