California Department of Public Health (2024)

Radiation Control Law (RCL)

The RCL is codified in theCalifornia Health and Safety Code (HSC)sections 114960 through 115273.Pursuant to the RCL, the Department registers, licenses, and inspects all users of radiation machines and radioactive materials.

On a national level, in 1962, the State of California ratified and approved an agreement with the United States Atomic Energy Commission, the predecessor of theUnited States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), by which the federal agency discontinued its regulatory authority over certain radioactive materials.By such action California became an “Agreement State,” and must maintain a statewide program that is adequate to protect public health and is compatible with, as determined by, the NRC.This agreement is codified insections 115230 and 115235 of the HSC.

Radiologic Technology Act (RT Act)

The RT Act is codified in HSC sections 106965through 107115, and ​sections 114840 through114896.

The RT Act also created theRadiologic Technology Certification Committeeto assist, advise, and make recommendations for the establishment of rules and regulations necessary to insure the proper administration and enforcement of the RT Act.

Nuclear Medicine Technology (NMT) Certification

The NMT certification law is codified in theHSC sections 107150 through 107175. Under this law, the Department certifies individuals to perform nuclear medicine technology, as defined in section 107150.

Other radiation related laws

These laws address emergency response, containment of radioactive contamination of the environment, and transportation of radioactive materials. These laws are codified in theHSCsections 114650 through 114835.

Regulations

Regulations implementing the above laws are codified in Title 17, California Code of Regulations (17 CCR).Title 17, CCR is structured into five broad Divisions, with each Division divided into Chapters, each Chapter into Subchapters, and each Subchapter into Articles.Regulations implementing the above laws are found in the following subchapters ofChapter 5, Div​ision 1 of 17 CCR​.

Subchapter 4. R​adiation

• This subchapter, sections 30100 through 30397, contains regulations adopted under the RCL, and some of the other radiation laws identified above.These provisions address registration and use of X-ray machines, licensing of possession and use of radioactive materials, standards for protection against radiation including public and occupational dose limits, and transportation of radioactive material.

• ​Public and occupational dose limits, in addition to other applicable provisions, are found in theJanuary 1, 2021edition of Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 20 (10 CFR 20)(PDF), as incorporated by reference in17 CCR sectio​n 30253.
• The edition date for10 CFR 20(PDF)is changed from time to time to coincide with changes made by the NRC, and such changes are made via the rulemaking process.Do not use any other edition unless otherwise notified.
• When reading10 CFR 20(PDF), you must use 17 CCR section 30253 for proper understanding. For example, under10 CF​R 20(PDF), the word “Commission” refers to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission or its duly authorized representatives.However, section 30253 clarifies that any time that word is used it shall be deemed to be a reference to the CDPH.Thus, 17 CCR section 30253 tailors10 CFR 20(PDF)for California’s purposes.
  

AllUsers ofradiationare required to conspicuously post a current copy of Subchapter4,including theJan. 1, 2021 Edition of10 CFR 20(PDF). (17 CCR sec. 30255(b)(1).)However, a hardcopy of these provisions need not be posted, provided:

• Internet access to both theonl​ine 17 CCRand10 CFR 20 (2021 ed.)(PDF)is available to all “workers,” as that term is defined in section 30100; AND
• Any worker, if requested by a Department representative, can demonstrate the ability to adequately navigate the online regulations.
• Exception– Dental offices may use either theonline 17 C​CR​and10 CFR 20(PDF), or theCalifornia Dental Association’s “Radiation Safety in Dental Practice”​ (2014)in lieu of posting these provisions.

Subchapter 4.5. Radiologic Te​chnology​

This subchapter, sections 30400 through 30468, contains regulations adopted under the RT Act. Under these provisions, the Department:

• Certifies individuals as radiologic technologists in diagnostic, therapeutic, and mammographic X-ray use.
• Permits individuals as limited permit X-ray technicians in specific permit categories authorizing the holder to conduct radiologic technology limited to the performance of certain procedures or the application of X-ray to specific areas of the human body, except for a mammogram.
• Certifies and permits licensed medical, osteopathic, podiatric, and chiropractic doctors for the use of diagnostic or therapeutic X-rays within the scope of their professional license;
• Permits licensed physician assistants to use fluoroscopic X-ray equipment;and
  
• Approves schools that provide the training courses required for obtaining a non-licentiate certificate or permit.

Subchapter 4.7. Nuclear Medicine Technol​​ogy​

This subchapter, sections 30500 through 30543, contains regulations adopted under the NMT certification laws, and may contain references to other laws or provisions found in the above subchapters.