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X-ray machine operators and technologists

In Colorado, a physician, chiropractor, dentist, podiatrist, or veterinarian who has a current and active State of Colorado license and has met the applicable requirements of Part 2 of the regulations can operate a radiation machine in the healing arts.

An individual who holds a current, valid registration by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in their respective modality does not require additional operator registration to perform radiologic examinations in the State of Colorado.
The operation of x-ray machines by non-physicians used in dentistry, chiropractic, veterinary, or podiatry imaging requires training specified by each respective board.

All other non-physicians who operate x-ray imaging systems on living humans must meet the requirements specified in the regulations.

Part 2 of the regulations

Limited scope operators

A limited scope operator (LSO) is an individual who has taken and passed a required test and has approval by the X-ray Certification Unit pursuant to 2.4.5.1 to operate x-ray systems and to conduct specified radiographic examinations of the chest, extremities, skull, hip/pelvis and spine/sacrum and abdomen.

A limited scope x-ray machine operator cannot perform radiologic procedures involving the administration or utilization of contrast media, bone densitometry, fluoroscopy to include c-arms, mammography, computed tomography, or radiation therapy.

Colorado requires the registration and biennial renewal of limited scope operators.

Please click on the boxes below to learn more about limited scope operators.

Fluoroscopy operators

A fluoroscopy operator (FO) is a physician assistant or advanced nurse practitioner who has taken and passed a required test and has approval by the X-ray Certification Unit pursuant to 2.4.5.5 to operate only fluoroscopy systems. There are other individuals that may register as fluoroscopy operators if their scope of practice allows such use, this includes certain registered catheterization specialists.

Fluoroscopy operators can only operate/supervise the use of fluoroscopy machines. Fluoroscopy operators can not perform other x-ray examinations.

Physicians, registered radiologic assistants, radiology practitioner assistants and individuals with certain ARRT registrations do not need to register as a FO.

Colorado requires the registration and biennial renewal of fluoroscopy operators unless the individual meets the exemptions in 6 CCR 1007-1 Part 2, Section 2.4.5.5 (1)(a)(b)(c).

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Provisional mammographer

A provisional mammographer is a person in training to become a qualified mammographer. Registration as a provisional mammographer requires the applicant’s enrollment in or completion of a qualified Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) training program. While in training provisional mammographers can perform mammography exams under the supervision of a registered mammography technologist.

Colorado requires the registration of provisional mammographers in Part 2, Section 2.4.5.4 (3).

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Bone densitometry operator

A bone densitometry equipment operator (BDEO) is an individual who operates a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry system (DXA) used on a living human. These individuals hold current certifications through the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) or have taken and passed a required test through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

An individual who holds a current registration through ARRT as a radiology technologist, nuclear medicine technologist, or radiation therapist does not require additional operator registration as a BDEO to perform DXA examinations in the State of Colorado. Individuals registered with the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) as certified nuclear medicine technologists do not need to register as BDEO operators.

Colorado requires the registration and triennial renewal of bone densitometry operators.

Please click on the boxes below to learn more about bone densitometry operators.

Computed tomography operator - Colorado State registration (discontinued)

If you wish to operate a computed tomography system in Colorado:

  • You must hold a valid, current registration/certification in computed tomography by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board, and such operation shall be within the requirements of the regulations.
  • You do not need additional registration with Colorado if you hold a valid and current computed tomography registration with American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board.

Before July 31, 2017, computed tomography operators not certified by American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board could complete an alternate training program and register as a Colorado computed tomography operator. As of 2017, this program is no longer available. We will continue to recognize Colorado registrations. Verify Colorado CT operators.