Brief Explanation of Training Authorizations by Radiation Control Regulatory Agencies
| When submitting an application for a radioactive material license or x-ray registration, training usually must be addressed. Certain uses require specific training (content and hours) according to applicable rules. Since the states rely primarily on the US NRC rules or the Suggested State Regulations for Control of Radiation, Volume I (Ionizing) and Volume II as guidelines for creating their own rules, most training requirements are uniform between the various states and the NRC. If one agency accepts/approves/authorizes a service provider's training course, then generally, all agencies accept that course. |
| Since all states cannot be individually addressed here, the Texas procedure will be briefly described. One should check with the agency with jurisdiction to assure that a course is authorized before committing to it, otherwise, time and money will be wasted! |
| Texas (Bureau of Radiation Control/Texas Department of
Health, or BRC):
"Agency Accepted" training courses are those that have specific requirements of course content and hours specified in the Texas rules, such as for industrial radiography, well logging, and certain medical uses. The service provider must hold a license or registration (issued by Texas, an Agreement State, or the NRC) which lists these authorizations. The service provider submits a description of the course content (agenda, exam, training resources, etc.) and the BRC sends an agency representative to sit through and evaluate the course. "Appropriate Training Courses" are those that the BRC places on a list entitled "A List of Appropriate Training Courses", but are NOT "Agency Accepted" training courses. For these courses, the service provider submits a description of the course content (agenda, exam, training resources, etc.), BUT the BRC DOES NOT send an agency representative to sit through and evaluate the course. The rules and/or regulatory guides for these courses generally require "appropriate training", but do not necessarily specify course content and time requirements. Both of these types of courses and service providers are included in the web-site list. For out-of-Texas providers, the BRC reviews the information provided by the service provider and verifies the authorization with the NRC or appropriate state agency. Since the NRC does not regulate X-Ray use, the approval method/criteria depends entirely on the state with jurisdiction. This list will be maintained as accurately as possible -- but will rely on the various government agencies for authentication of the service providers' approvals. Corrections of names and addresses, however, will be accepted from the service providers and the changes will be made without charge. -- J R Haygood (08/20/2000) |