What Arkansas's rules say about ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable), dose limits in millisieverts (mSv), dosimeters, aprons and training for the people who work in fluoroscopy labs.
Please double-check this information. This is an ORSIF research summary, researched November 3, 2026. It is not comprehensive and not always accurate: rules change, and answers may be incomplete, out of date or wrong. It is education, not legal advice. Not yet reviewed by a regulatory expert. Confirm each requirement at the source linked beside the answer, with the state program and with your facility's radiation safety officer. How this was made
ORSIF's research identified the Radiation Control Section, Arkansas Department of Health as the agency that regulates X-ray and fluoroscopy equipment in Arkansas. Arkansas is a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Agreement State: it has signed an agreement with the NRC to regulate certain radioactive materials itself.
Arkansas requires X-ray registrants to keep worker doses ALARA under RH-1004.b, in a section shared with radioactive-materials licensees. Part G adds a duty to 'minimize patient and personnel exposure' without using the term ALARA. Dose limits follow the federal model: 50 mSv whole body, 150 mSv lens, 500 mSv skin and extremities. All fluoroscopy workers must wear dosimeters, and staff must be protected by aprons or barriers of at least 0.25 mm lead equivalent. Apron inspection and apron alternatives are not addressed. Fluoroscopy may be operated by licensed practitioners, radiologic technologists and two supervised cardiac specialist licenses. A major revision adding training hours, annual apron checks and effective-dose formulas passed subcommittee review on June 15, 2026, but its effective date is unconfirmed.
Every answer names the rule it comes from. Open "Rule text and source" to read the citation, the source page and, where it could be matched, the exact wording.
Which rules apply, and whether ALARA is among them.
Yes. Arkansas is not on the list of non-Agreement jurisdictions, so it is an Agreement State.
The State Board of Health is the designated State Radiation Control Agency for ArkansasThis quote was matched word for word to the source page.
Rules for Control of Sources of Ionizing Radiation, 20 CAR pt. 3 (revision effective September 14, 2024). Section 3 holds the general protection standards (RH-1000 onward), and Part G (RH-1600 to RH-1613) holds the X-ray rules, with fluoroscopy at RH-1603. A pending revision would move Part G into a new Section 10.
This Part establishes requirements, for which a registrant (or licensee) is responsible, for use of x-ray equipment by or under the supervision of an individual authorized by and licensed in accordance with state statutes to engage in the healing artsThis quote was matched word for word to the source page.
Yes. RH-1004.b requires every licensee or registrant to achieve ALARA occupational doses, and the ALARA definition names x-ray equipment use explicitly.
Where ALARA lives in Arkansas: Only in a rule shared with radioactive materials. The explicit ALARA requirement is in RH-1004.b in Section 3, which covers radioactive-materials licensees and X-ray registrants together. Part G requires procedures to 'minimize patient and personnel exposure' (RH-1602.a.9) but does not use the term ALARA. (RH-1004.b; RH-1602.a.9; RH-1602.a.10)
The licensee or registrant shall use, to the extent practical, procedures and engineering controls based upon sound radiation protection principles to achieve occupational doses and doses to members of the public that are as low as is reasonably achievable (ALARA).This quote was matched word for word to the source page.
The annual limits for workers, written in millisieverts (mSv). Ten mSv equal one rem.
5 rems (50 mSv) per year TEDE.
15 rems (150 mSv) per year. No lower limit has been adopted, and the May 2026 draft keeps 15 rems.
An lens dose equivalent of 15 rems (0.15 Sv), and … A shallow-dose equivalent of 50 rems (0.50 Sv) to the skin of the whole body or to skin of any extremity.This quote was matched word for word to the source page.
50 rems (500 mSv) shallow-dose equivalent to the skin of the whole body or any extremity.
An lens dose equivalent of 15 rems (0.15 Sv), and … A shallow-dose equivalent of 50 rems (0.50 Sv) to the skin of the whole body or to skin of any extremity.This quote was matched word for word to the source page.
0.5 rem (5 mSv) to the embryo/fetus of a declared pregnant woman over the whole pregnancy.
When a worker must wear a dosimeter, and where.
Monitoring is required for adults likely to exceed 10% of a limit and for declared pregnant women likely to exceed 0.1 rem (1 mSv). Everyone working with medical fluoroscopy equipment must be monitored, with no dose threshold.
Adults likely to receive, in one (1) year from sources external to the body, a dose in excess of ten percent (10%) of the limits in RH-1200.a; … 5. Individuals working with medical fluoroscopic equipment.This quote was matched word for word to the source page.
A single badge is worn at the collar outside the apron. A second badge, if used, is worn under the apron at the waist and is required for a declared pregnant woman. A lens badge is worn at the collar or closer to the eye. The current rule names no effective-dose method beyond a Department-approved method. Proposed RH-1200.d would add formulas: 0.3 × deep dose with one badge above 25% of the limit, and 1.5 × waist + 0.04 × collar with two badges.
When only 1 individual monitoring device is used to determine the effective dose equivalent for external radiation, it shall be located at the neck (collar) outside the protective apron.This quote was matched word for word to the source page.
Protective apparel, how it is checked, and whether other systems are addressed.
Staff must be protected by aprons or whole-body barriers of at least 0.25 mm lead equivalent, and aprons and gloves must be available in sufficient numbers. In fluoroscopy, drapes or curtains are required in addition to the apron, or staff must stand at least 120 cm from the beam. Thyroid shields and eyewear are not required.
Staff and ancillary personnel shall be protected from the direct scatter radiation by protective aprons or whole body protective barriers of not less than 0.25 millimeter lead equivalent.This quote was matched word for word to the source page.
not found. The current rules have no apron inspection requirement. Proposed RH-9200.g would require an annual integrity check and lead-equivalence labels.
All protective apparel and auxiliary shields shall be evaluated annually for integrity and clearly labeled with their lead equivalence.This quote was matched word for word to the source page.
Not addressed. No current or proposed provision deals with engineered systems used in place of aprons. The closest are the 'whole body protective barriers' option and the general reference to engineering controls.
The material may be, but is not limited to, drapes, self-supporting curtains, or viewing shields, in addition to any lead equivalency provided by a protective apron.This quote was matched word for word to the source page.
Who may use fluoroscopy equipment and what training the rules ask for.
Licensed practitioners (medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, podiatric medicine, chiropractic, optometry), licensed radiologic technologists, and Invasive Cardiovascular and Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialists under supervision may operate fluoroscopy. Limited licensees may not. Physician assistants and nurse practitioners are not listed.
No person, other than a licensed practitioner, radiologic technologist, licensed technologist, or limited licensed technologist shall use radioactive materials or medical equipment emitting or detecting ionizing radiation on human beings for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.This quote was matched word for word to the source page.
The current radiation rule requires only that operators be 'adequately instructed' and competent, with no set hours. Technologists need a national registry, and specialists need a committee-approved exam. Pending RH-9305.l would require 4 hours of fluoroscopy training (8 for fluoroscopically guided interventional (FGI), including 1 hour hands-on) and 2 hours every 2 years.
All persons operating, or supervising the operation of, fluoroscopy systems during fluoroscopically-guided interventional (FGI) procedures shall have completed a minimum of eight (8) hours of training approved by the Department.This quote was matched word for word to the source page.
Rules, bills and guidance the research found from 2025 and 2026, with the ones that touch fluoroscopy teams first.
Amended effective August 13, 2026 (Ark. R. 2026-92)
Updated 'two limited scope radiation modalities,' apparently the Invasive Cardiovascular and Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist licenses (this research's inference).
Approved by ALC Administrative Rules Subcommittee June 15, 2026; effective date not confirmed
Moves Part G to a new Section 10. Adds effective-dose formulas under aprons, annual apparel integrity checks, aprons for everyone in sterile-field cases, 4- and 8-hour fluoroscopy training, a written patient-dose policy, qualified-expert evaluations, an FGI Radiation Protocol Committee and skin-dose misadministration reporting. Removes gonadal shielding. Lens limit stays at 15 rems and ALARA stays in RH-1004.b.
Questions the research could not settle. If you know the answer, tell us.
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