GENERAL GOVERNMENT
CABINET
Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy
(As Amended at ARRS, October 13, 2015)
201 KAR 46:081. Limited X-Ray
machine operator.
RELATES TO: KRS 311B.020,
311B.150, 311B.100(2), 311B.110, 311B.120,
311B.180, 311B.190[211.890,
211.993]
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS
311B.050, 311B.100(2), 311B.110[211.090(3), 211.870]
NECESSITY,
FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 311B.050 requires the Board of Medical
Imaging and Radiation Therapy to promulgate administrative regulations to
establish the procedures for the issuance and renewal of a license. KRS
311B.100(2) and KRS 311B.110(6) require the board to promulgate administrative
regulations to establish the qualifications for a limited x-ray machine
operator. This administrative regulation establishes the requirements for the
licensure of a limited x-ray machine operator[The Board of Medical
Imaging and Radiation Therapy is authorized by KRS 311B.100(f) to regulate an
operator of a source of radiation other than a licensed practitioner of the
healing arts, including but not limited to: the classification and licensure of
limited x-ray machine operators; examinations; standards of training and
experience; curricula standards for institutions teaching persons to perform
limited diagnostic imaging][operate sources of radiation][;
issuance, renewal, and revocation of licenses; and to set other standards as
may be appropriate for the protection of health and safety. The purpose of this
administrative regulation is to establish uniform requirements for the
licensure of limited licensees].
Section
1. Applicability. (1) This administrative regulation shall apply to individuals
who perform limited[human] diagnostic radiography while under the direct
supervision while training and indirect supervision thereafter[supervision]
of a licensed practitioner of the healing arts, a licensed limited
x-ray machine operator, or a licensed radiographer[medical,
osteopathic, or chiropractic licensed practitioner, or a licensed radiation
operator].
(2)
Limited [human] diagnostic radiography shall include routine chest and
thorax, cranium, extremity, podiatric, vertebral column radiography, and bone
densitometry procedures.
Section
2. Limited
Licensee Employment Prohibition[Prohibitation]. An individual who
holds a limited license shall not be employed as an operator of a source of
radiation at a facility where contrast studies, fluoroscopy, mammography,
computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, bedside radiography, nuclear
medicine, positron emission tomography, or radiation therapy procedures
are performed.
Section
3. Pathways
to the Limited X-ray Machine Operator License. An applicant shall complete an
approved postsecondary educational program that meets the American
Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) Limited
X-Ray Machine Operator Curriculum requirements. Individuals shall complete this
requirement by either:
(1)
A formal education program for limited x-ray machine
operators approved by the board; or
(2)
An independent study program for limited x-ray machine
operators approved by the board.[An applicant shall meet the
requirements for a temporary limited machine operator license][Eligibility for a
Limited X-ray Machine Operator License. (1) No person shall be eligible for a
limited x-ray machine operator license for human diagnostic radiographic
purposes unless the individual has:
(a)
Completed a four (4) year course of study in a secondary school or passed a
standard equivalency test;
(b)
Completed a course of study in limited x-ray machine operations approved by the
board from a postsecondary institution or an approved independent study course;
and
(c)
Passed an examination conducted or approved by the board.
(2)
The approved postsecondary course of study shall meet the requirements for the limited
x-ray machine operator course of study in 201 KAR 46:030, Section 4(6).
(3)
An approved independent study course shall be completed within twelve (12)
months and shall meet the requirements for the limited x-ray machine
operator independent course of study in 201 KAR 46:030, Section 4(7).
(4)
The clinical education required by 201 KAR 46:030, Section 4(7) shall be
obtained at the student’s place of employment, an alternate facility, or a
combination. The employer shall be responsible for providing or
arranging for the required clinical education and for providing the appropriate
supervision of the student by a licensed practitioner of the healing arts or a
licensed radiation operator. Clinical education shall begin only after the
student has successfully completed the first six (6) chapters in the provided
textbook and has received an authorization letter issued by the board. Course requirements
shall be completed within one (1) year from date of enrollment][.]
Section
4. Application for Temporary Limited X-ray Machine Operator License. Issuance
of a temporary limited license shall be dependent upon the educational pathway
selected by the applicant.
(1)
An applicant who has completed a formal educational program shall submit:
(a)
A completed and signed application Form KBMIRT Form 5;
(b)
A non-refundable, non-transferrable temporary limited
x-ray machine operator application and license fee as mandated in 201 KAR
46:020, Section 5;
(c)
The satisfactory results of a criminal
background check completed within the past six (6) months in state of residence
and employment and any other state of residence and employment within the past
five (5) years; and
(d)
A copy of a government-issued photo ID.
(2)
An applicant selecting the independent study program pathway shall receive a
temporary license upon completion of the required coursework. As part of the
application process for the independent study pathway, an applicant shall
submit:
(a)
A completed and signed application KBMIRT Form 5;
(b)
A completed and signed application KBMIRT Form 5A;
(c)
A non-refundable, non-transferrable temporary limited
x-ray machine operator application and license fee as mandated in 201 KAR
46:020, Section 5;
(d)
The satisfactory results of a criminal
background check completed within the past six (6) months in state of residence
and employment and any other state of residence and employment within the past
five (5) years;
(e)
A copy of a government-issued photo ID;[and]
(f)[Individuals
enrolling in the independent study program shall also submit:
1.] A copy of the Cabinet
for Health and Family Services radiation producing-machine registration card of
their employer;
(g)[and
2.] A copy of his or her
high school diploma or equivalent; and
(h) A home study course fee for an independent
study course as mandated by 201 KAR 46:020, Section 10.
(3)
The temporary limited x-ray machine operator license shall expire:
(a)
Two (2) years from the date of enrollment in the independent study program;
(b)
One (1) year from date of issuance for graduates of formal educational
programs.
(4)
Upon completion of the limited x-ray machine operator training program, individuals
shall:
(a)
Apply for the limited scope radiography exam; and
(b)
Submit the non-refundable, non-transferrable limited x-ray machine operator
examination fee as mandated in 201 KAR 46:020, Section 9.
(5)
If a temporary licensee has not successfully passed the American Registry
of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) administered limited
scope radiography exam prior to the expiration date of the temporary license,
the licensee shall cease to perform radiographic procedures. The licensee
remains eligible to sit for the exam, however, the individual shall not perform
radiographic procedures. Upon successful completion of the exam, the individual
shall submit:
(a)
A limited x-ray machine operator license application using KBMIRT Form 4; and
(b)
An initial application and license fee as mandated in 201 KAR 46:020,
Section 1.
(6)
If a temporary licensee has successfully passed the ARRT administered limited
scope radiography exam prior to the expiration date of the temporary license
for the selected educational pathway, the licensee shall be issued a limited
x-ray machine operator license which shall expire on the last day of the
licensee’s birth month[Eligibility for a Limited Podiatry X-ray Machine
Operator License. (1) No person shall be eligible for a limited podiatry x-ray
machine operator license for human diagnostic radiographic purposes unless the
individual has:
(a)
Completed a four (4) year course of study in a secondary school or passed a
standard equivalency test;
(b)
Completed an independent course of study in limited podiatric radiography
approved by the board; and
(c)
Passed an examination conducted or approved by the board.
(2)
The approved independent study course shall be completed within twelve (12)
months and shall meet the requirements for the limited podiatry x-ray machine
operator independent course of study in 201 KAR 46:030, Section 4(8).
(b)
The clinical education required by 201 KAR 46:030, Section 4(8) shall be
obtained at the student’s place of employment. The employer shall be
responsible for providing or arranging for the required clinical education and
for providing the appropriate supervision of the student by a licensed
practitioner of the healing arts or a licensed operator. Clinical education
shall begin only after the student has successfully completed the first
six (6) chapters in the textbook and has received an authorization letter
issued by the board. Course requirements shall be completed within one (1) year
from date of enrollment].
Section
5. The
issued license shall identify the licensee as a limited x-ray machine operator.
The license shall also identify the category as general, bone densitometry, or
podiatry[Eligibility
for a Limited Bone Densitometry X-ray Machine Operator License. (1) No person
shall be eligible for a limited bone densitometry x-ray machine operator
license for human diagnostic radiographic purposes unless the individual has:
(a)
Completed a four (4) year course of study in a secondary school or passed a
standard equivalency test;
(b)
Completed an independent course of study in limited bone densitometry approved
by the board; and
(c)
Passed an examination conducted or approved by the board.
(2)
The approved independent study course shall be completed within twelve (12)
months and shall meet the requirements for the limited bone densitometry x-ray
machine operator independent course of study in 201 KAR 46:030, Section 4(9).
(b)
The clinical education required by 201 KAR 46:030, Section 4(9) shall be
obtained at the student’s place of employment. The employer shall be
responsible for providing or arranging for the required clinical education and
for providing the appropriate supervision of the student by a licensed
practitioner of the healing arts or a certified radiation operator. Clinical
education shall begin only after the student has successfully completed the
first six (6) chapters in the textbook and has received an authorization letter
issued by the board. Course requirements shall be completed within one (1) year
from date of enrollment.
(c)
The approved independent study course shall include manufacturer’s training.
1.
Manufacturer’s training will be conducted by a representative of the company
who produces the x-ray machine used for bone densitometry.
2.
Training shall include the proper techniques for operation and safety].
Section
6. Employer Responsibility for Students Enrolled in the Independent Study
Program for Limited X-Ray Machine Operators. Pursuant to Section 8 of this
administrative regulation, clinical education shall be obtained at the
student’s place of employment, an alternate facility, or a combination. The
employer shall be responsible for providing or arranging for the required
clinical education and for providing the direct or indirect[appropriate]
supervision of the student by a licensed practitioner of the healing arts, a
licensed limited x-ray machine operator, or a licensed radiographer as
required by the student's level of competency. Clinical
education shall begin only after the student has successfully completed the
required coursework of the textbook and has received a temporary license issued
by the board[Temporary
License. (1) The board may, upon application and payment of the appropriate
fees, issue a temporary license to an applicant who has completed an approved
course of instruction in limited medical radiography, limited podiatric
radiography, or limited bone densitometry, and who meets the
requirements of this administrative regulation, but has not taken the required
examination.
(2)
Applications for licensure shall be filed with the Cabinet for Health and
Family Services on Form KR-300, Radiation Operator Certification Diagnostic
X-Ray Application Form.
(3)
Temporary licenses for all certifications shall expire on the last day of the
month, one (1) year after the date of issuance and shall not be renewable].
Section 7. Curricular
Standards for Formal Educational Program. This administrative regulation
applies to institutions offering a postsecondary program for limited x-ray
machine operators. Programs shall:
(1)
Meet the curricular standards established by the American Society of Radiologic
Technologists (ASRT);
(2)
Include a minimum of 240 classroom hours of didactic instruction and 360
clinical hours of education which shall include supervised practice and demonstration
of clinical competency;
(3)
Supply data requested for a complete evaluation of its administration,
organization, faculty, physical facilities, student policies, and curriculum;
(4)
Provide a structured curriculum with clearly written course descriptions,
lesson plans, and objectives;
(5)
Provide an adequate faculty, which shall be qualified through academic
preparation or experience to teach the subjects assigned;
(6)
Have a program director who is a licensed radiographer with a minimum of three
(3) years of clinical or teaching experience or a combination of clinical and
teaching experience;
(7)
Provide a licensee-to-student ratio consistent with professional educational
guidelines in the appropriate field of practice;
(8)
Provide appropriate facilities, sufficient volume, and a variety of diagnostic
exams to properly conduct the educational program;
(9)
Prohibit students from applying radiation to human beings for diagnostic
purposes until they have obtained practical experience and have had their
performance evaluated as satisfactory by the program faculty;
(10) Provide direct or indirect
supervision by a licensed practitioner of the healing arts or a licensee
as required by the student's level of competency;
(11)
Prohibit students from administering radiation to a human being unless under
direct or indirect supervision as required by the student's level of competency[appropriately
supervised];
(12)
Maintain records of each student's attendance, grades, clinical competency, and
subjects completed;
(13)
Designate a radiation safety officer; and
(14)
Permit site inspections by the board’s representative.
Section
8. Curricular Standards for Independent Study Program. (1) The general limited
x-ray machine operator independent study program shall:
(a)
Be completed within twenty-four (24) months;
(b)
Include the following subjects:
1.
Human structure and function;
2.
Medical terminology;
3.
Radiation protection;
4.
Radiation biology;
5.
Medical ethics and law;
6.
Equipment operation and maintenance;
7.
Image production and evaluation;
8. Image processing;
9.
Radiographic procedures;
10.
Patient positioning; and
11.
Patient care; and
(c)
Include clinical education consisting of a minimum of fifty (50) radiographic
procedures in each of the following areas:
1.
Chest;
2.
Extremities; and
3.
Musculoskeletal.
(2)
The limited podiatry x-ray machine operator independent study program shall:
(a)
Be completed within twenty-four (24) months;
(b)
Include the following subjects:
1.
Human structure and function;
2.
Medical terminology;
3.
Radiation protection;
4.
Radiation biology;
5.
Medical ethics and law;
6.
Equipment operation and maintenance;
7.
Image production and evaluation;
8.
Image processing;
9.
Radiographic procedures;
10.
Patient positioning; and
11.
Patient care; and
(c)
Include clinical education consisting of a minimum of fifty (50) radiographic
procedures of the feet and ankles.
(3)
The limited bone densitometry x-ray machine operator independent course of
study shall:
(a)
Be completed within twenty-four (24) months;
(b)
Include the following subjects;
1.
Human structure and function;
2.
Medical terminology;
3.
Radiation protection;
4.
Radiation biology;
5.
Medical ethics and law;
6.
Equipment operation and maintenance;
7.
Image production and evaluation;
8.
Image processing;
9.
Radiographic procedures;
10.
Patient positioning;
11.
Patient care; and
12.
Equipment Specific training; and
(c)
Include clinical education consisting of a minimum of fifty (50) bone
densitometry procedures.
Section
9. Approved Radiographic Procedures for the Limited X-ray Machine Operator.
An individual who holds a limited license is limited to performing the
procedures authorized for his or her license as described in subsections
(1), (2), and (3) of this section.[:]
(1)
An individual holding a general limited x-ray machine operator license shall
perform only the following[procedures]:
(a)
Radiography of the thorax, lungs and ribs;
(b)
Radiography of the skull and facial structures;
(c)
Radiography of the upper and lower extremities, including the pectoral girdle
and the hips and pelvis; and
(d)
Radiography of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spines.
(2)
An individual holding a limited podiatry x-ray machine operator license shall
perform radiographic procedures on the foot and ankle only.
(3)
An individual holding a limited bone densitometry x-ray machine operator
license shall perform bone densitometry radiographic procedures only.
(4)
A limited x-ray machine operator shall comply with the Limited X-ray Machine
Operator Practice Standards as incorporated by reference in 201 KAR 46:040,
Section 15.
Section
10. Continuing Education Requirements. Licensees shall complete and document
twelve (12) hours of continuing education biennually as required
by 201 KAR 46:060. A minimum of six (6) hours shall be related
to radiation safety or[and/or]
medical imaging.
Section
11. Continuing Education Audit Process. (1) The board shall select a sample of
licensees[licenses] to audit for continuing
education[CE] compliance.
(2)
The board shall send each licensee selected for audit a notification of audit.
(3)
Each licensee shall maintain his or her[their]
personal files such as certificates or records of credit from approved
continuing education programs from the current biennium and immediate prior
biennium.
(4)
A licensee[Licensees] selected for audit shall
complete KBMIRT Form 8, as incorporated by reference in 201 KAR 46:060,
and provide the board with a copy of his or her certificates or
records of completion.
(5)
Failure to comply with an audit may result in non-renewal, suspension or
revocation of license.
Section
12. Renewal of License. A licensee shall renew annually prior to the expiration
of his or her[their] current license,
which is the last day of the licensee's[their]
birth month, by:
(1)
Completing KBMIRT Form 6; and
(2)
Submitting the Renewal License Fee in accordance with 201 KAR 46:020,
Section 2.
Section
13. Reinstatement of Lapsed License. A licensee who has allowed the license to
lapse for more than one (1) month but less than twelve (12) months is eligible
to be reinstated upon submission of KBMIRT Form 6[the
renewal application], documentation of twelve (12) hours of
continuing education, and the payment of reinstatement
and renewal fees pursuant to 201 KAR 46:020, Sections 2 and 7.
A licensee whose license has lapsed for more than twelve (12) months shall:
(1)
Successfully pass the ARRT limited scope radiography examination;
(2)
Submit a completed
and signed application KBMIRT Form 4;
(3)
Submit a non-refundable initial application and license
fee as mandated in 201 KAR 46:020, Section 1;
(4)
Submit satisfactory results of a criminal
background check completed within the past six (6) months in state of residence
and employment and any other state of residence and employment within the past
five (5) years; and
(5)
Submit a copy of a government-issued photo ID.
Section
14.[8.] Incorporation by Reference. (1) The following material is
incorporated by reference:
(a)
KBMIRT Form 4, “Limited X-ray Machine Operator License Application”, April
2015;
(b)
KBMIRT Form 5, “Limited X-ray Machine Operator
Temporary License Application”, April 2015;
(c)
KBMIRT Form 5A, “Limited X-ray Machine Operator
Independent Study Course Application”, April 2015; and
(d)
KBMIRT Form 6, “Limited X-ray Machine Operator Renewal[License]
Application”, March 2015[(1) Form "KR-300, Radiation Operator Certification
Diagnostic X-Ray Application Form", edition 7/97, is incorporated by
reference].
(2)
This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable
copyright law, at the Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, 42
Fountain Place[275
East Main Street],
Frankfort,
Kentucky 40601[40621], Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
SHERYL
L. ABERCROMBIE, Chair
APPROVED
BY AGENCY: April 13, 2015
FILED
WITH LRC: April 15, 2015 at 11 a.m.
CONTACT
PERSON: Vanessa Breeding, Executive Director, Board of Medical Imaging and
Radiation Therapy, 42 Fountain Place, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, phone (502) 782-5687, fax
(502) 782-6495.
