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X-ray certification FAQs

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X-ray machine operators and technologists

I am a licensed radiologic technologist through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. 
Do I need a Colorado License or registration?

  • No - Colorado is a non-licensure state. Separate licensure or registration for X-ray technologists who are nationally certified or registered with American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board is not required.
  • Additional certifications in CT or mammography specialties through American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board as specified in Section 2.4.5 of Part 2 of the regulations is required to be an operator but registration with Colorado is not required for these sub-specialties.

I am already a registered limited scope operator – how do I renew my registration?

R-90 renewal application form: Complete and submit at least 30 days prior to expiration along with evidence of continuing education credits and the $60 fee. Make your check payable to CDPHE.

  • The limited scope operator registration is issued for 2 years, and then must be renewed.

I am already a registered bone density operator – how do I renew my registration?

R-82 application for renewal form: Complete and submit at least 30 days prior to expiration along with evidence of continuing education credits and the $60 fee. Make your check payable to CDPHE.

  • The bone density operator registration is issued for a 3 year period, and then must be renewed.

I would like to start performing mammograms, what do I need to do?

  • You must be a registered technologist in good standing with American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and meet the requirements of Part 2, Appendix 2M, Section 2M.1.3., and work under the supervision of another qualified person during your training period.

​Form R-64: You must register with us as a provisional mammographer by reviewing the instructions and completing form R-64, submitting the $60 fee by check payable to CDPHE.

R-64 instructions

  • If approved, a provisional mammographer registration will be issued for 1 year and may renewed only once – after which you must become (and maintain registration) in mammography with American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or you must cease performing mammography.
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Qualified inspectors and experts providing services to x-ray facilities

I am a registered qualified inspector and need to order more blue labels – how do I do that?

I would like to become a registered qualified inspector for x-ray machines in Colorado. What do I need to do?

         or

         R-53 provisional qualified inspector application form and pay the $100 application fee.

I would like to become a registered qualified expert to perform shielding evaluations for X-ray machines. 
What do I need to do?

​R-68 application form: Register with us using the R-68 application form and pay the $100 application fee.

  • Qualified expert registration is an annual registration.
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Facilities using x-ray machines

I need to have my (non-mammography) X-ray machine inspected. Who do I contact?

  • Contact a Colorado registered qualified inspector for your specific machine type(s).
  • Inspection of complex x-ray systems including computed tomography, fluoroscopy, and therapy systems requires inspection/evaluation by a registered medical physicist- a special category of qualified inspector.
  • Qualified inspectors are private companies/individuals that do not work for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Fees for inspections (also called certification evaluations) are set by the qualified inspector and are not under our control. Only the blue certification label fee ($60) is set by us which may or may not be included in the inspection fee charged by the qualified inspector.

I need to have my mammography X-ray machine inspected. Who do I contact?

  • Mammography inspections are completed in two steps - mammography facilities should contact a registered qualified inspector to complete the machine certification portion of the inspection.
  • CDPHE staff inspectors will contact the facility directly for the second portion of the inspection prior to the due date.

Contact the x-ray staff or more information

Phone: 303-692-3448
cdphe.hmxraycomments@state.co.us

How can I pay my annual registration fee invoice?

  • Invoices for registration fees may be paid by electronic check or credit card through the online payment portal. Only those invoices which specifically list the payment portal website can be paid online. You must have a customer number/reference ID, and invoice number (shown on the invoice or letter).

R-4 registration form

  • Each year x-ray machine facilities are also required to complete the online R-4 registration form when they receive their April bill/invoice.
  • No fee is required to update existing registration information outside of the annual renewal cycle.

What are the fees for registering my X-ray machine facility?

  • Each facility using x-ray machines must initially register, renew the registration annually and pay a $50 facility registration fee - regardless of the number of x-ray machines at the facility.
  • Each individual x-ray machine must have a certification evaluation (inspection) completed at the frequency specified in Table 2-1 of Section 2.5.1 of Part 2. Reminders are sent via email to each facility prior to the due date.

Why did I receive another invoice/bill when I just paid my annual invoice?

  • X-ray facility registration invoices are issued to all active facilities in February or March each year. If this bill is paid in a timely manner, you will not receive your next bill until the following February or March. However, if payment is delayed – for example if your April 2017 invoice is paid 10 months late in February of 2018 - you will receive another invoice in February or March for the current year.
  • Facilities that do not pay the initial annual facility renewal fee in a timely manner may be charged additional fees.
  • Please note: At the time of a new facility registration, you are billed a $50 registration fee. Annual billing occurs near the end of each February. All active facilities receive a bill at this time. Due to the annual billing in February, a new facility may be billed again at the time of the annual invoicing.

I have bought a new business that has X-ray machines. What do I need to do?

R-4 registration form: Complete the online R-4 registration form and pay the necessary facility registration fee. Fees may be paid through the online payment portal.

For payment by check, contact the x-ray technical support staff:

Customer technical assistance for questions concerning x-ray and mammography
Phone: 303-692-3448
cdphe.hmxraycomments@state.co.us

I have sold a business that has X-ray machines, what do I do?

  • R-4 registration form: Provide information to the new owner that will allow them to complete the online R-4 registration form.

I am removing/selling/storing an X-ray machine, what do I need to do?

Who do I contact to recycle my x-ray machine?

I am buying a new x-ray machine. What do I need to do?

​R-4 form: Complete to update your facility registration information.
​R-61 status of radiation machines form: Complete If you are also removing an existing x-ray machine from your facility.

Do all facilities with x-ray machines need to be registered with the state?

  • Yes. To ensure the health and safety of members of the public, operators, and patients, and consistent with state regulation, all permanent non-federal facilities using x-ray machines in the State of Colorado for any purpose (medical, industrial, research, security) must be registered with CDPHE’s x-ray certification unit of CDPHE.​
  • Register a permanent x-ray machine.

How often do I need to get my x-ray machine inspected?

Inspection frequencies (also called certification evaluations) are specified in Table 2-1 of Section 2.5.1 of Part 2 of the regulations and vary between 1-3 years depending on the type of machine or facility.

Does our facility require the use of dosimetry (radiation monitoring) badges?

Yes, dosimetry badges are required per Part 4, section 4.18.1.

  • Employees are required to wear dosimetry badges unless an employer has demonstrated and documented that annual occupational exposure to radiation is less than 500 mrem (5mSv) which is 10% of the allowable annual limit.
  • The department has evaluated the following scenarios and determined them to have a likelihood of exceeding the limits for requiring occupational monitoring. As a result, employees engaging in these activities would require dosimetry as well.
    • Individuals who operate fluoroscopic units, therapeutic x-ray units, or traditional CT scanners. 
    • Personnel who receive, or are likely to receive, a whole body dose in excess of 25 milliroentgens (mR) per week. 
    • Individuals who operate mobile x-ray equipment. 
    • Individuals consistently holding patients, animals, or objects for radiographic imaging. 
    • Individuals who service operable x-ray producing machines. 
    • Individuals performing industrial radiography.

How do I determine if my x-ray facility can discontinue monitoring of employees?

  • X-ray registrants may stop using dosimetry badges by demonstrating through a written evaluation that employees will not exceed the applicable monitoring thresholds in 4.18.1.
  • Part 4, Section 4.18.3 states registrants shall maintain records of the dosimetry evaluation of likely external dose and the determination to monitor or not monitor individuals to demonstrate compliance with the occupational dose limits of Part 4.
  • Two of the most common evaluation methods your facility can use to demonstrate that employees are not likely to exceed the thresholds, which would require monitoring are shown below. Guidance regarding dosimetry requirements and discontinuing monitoring.
  1. Monitor the occupational exposure of employees for at least six (6) months using dosimetry badges.
  2. Obtain a radiation survey assessment completed by a registered qualified expert.

How often do I need to review my facility’s evaluation on dosimetry monitoring?

  • Every year, each x-ray facility, as part of the Radiation Protection Program, must review the dosimetry evaluation, as conditions can change. The annual review of the Radiation Protection Program is required by Part 4, section 4.5 shall include a review of changes that could impact occupational exposure.
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Sales, installation, repair and demonstrations of x-ray machines

I want to sell and service x-ray machines in the State of Colorado. What do I need to do?

  • You must meet the requirements of Part 2, Section 2.2.2 and follow all applicable requirements of the regulations, including Section 2.7.
  • Service technicians must meet the requirements of Part 2, Appendix 2H.
​R-60 application form: Register with the department using the applicable R-60 application form and pay the $100 application fee.
  • Service company registration is an annual registration.

I am a company doing a demonstration with an x-ray machine in Colorado. What do I need to do?

  • Provide documentation that each machine has been evaluated in accordance with Colorado regulations. This may require a certification evaluation be completed by a Colorado registered qualified inspector.

​Form R-200: Complete and submit at least 15 days before entering Colorado with a radiation machine, and receive approval from the Department.

  • You may not bring radiation producing machines into Colorado for temporary use for more than 180 days per calendar year. There is no fee for temporary use within this limit.
  • You are required to notify the Department of Public Health and Environment fifteen (15) days ahead of bringing a radiation-producing machine into Colorado. This completed form will serve as your required notice.
  • Visit the reciprocity web page for more details.