California: radiation safety rules for fluoroscopy teams

Yes. Based on the NRC Agreement State list (updated 2026-10-29).

General radiation protection: 17 CCR § 30253 (Group 3, Subchapter 4; scope § 30252). Medical X-ray: Group 3, Article 4, starting at § 30305, plus § 30305.5 and § 30307. Operator rules: Subchapter 4.5, starting at § 30400. Text was read on Cornell LII (secondary); Cornell's heading for § 30305 appears mislabeled. § 30253 was last amended operative 7-1-2022.

Yes, by adoption. § 30253 adopts 10 CFR 20.1001-20.2402; 20.1101 (ALARA) falls in that range and is not excepted. "Licensee" is replaced by "User," which includes X-ray registrants. The text of 20.1101 itself was not read. The X-ray rules' "as low as is practicable" wording (§ 30307(a)(7)(A)) concerns the beam exposure rate at the patient, not staff doses.

Where ALARA lives in California: Only in a rule shared with radioactive materials. The staff ALARA duty comes from the general § 30253 adoption of 10 CFR 20, which applies to "Users" (both radioactive-materials licensees and X-ray registrants). No X-ray-specific staff ALARA language was found. Because the adoption is fixed at January 1, 2021, an NRC change would not apply automatically; CDPH would have to amend § 30253. (17 CCR §§ 30100(z), 30253(a)(5), 30305(a)(1))

Federal 10 CFR 20.1201 is adopted as of 2021 and applies to any source of ionizing radiation. The standard federal figure is 5 rem (50 mSv) per year total effective dose equivalent (TEDE), but this number was not verified by this research.

Federal 10 CFR 20.1201 is adopted. The standard federal figure is 15 rem (150 mSv) per year, but this number was not verified by this research. No lower California lens limit was found.

Federal 10 CFR 20.1201 is adopted. The standard federal figure is 50 rem (500 mSv) per year, but this number was not verified by this research.

Federal 10 CFR 20.1208 is adopted. The standard federal figure is 0.5 rem (5 mSv) over the pregnancy for the embryo/fetus of a declared pregnant worker, but this number was not verified by this research.

Federal 10 CFR 20.1502 is adopted (not excepted). The commonly published trigger is a worker likely to receive more than 10% of a limit, but this was not verified by this research. No California-specific X-ray badging threshold was found.

not found. No badge-location rule, two-badge method or approved effective-dose formula was found. Under the adopted federal rule, a regulator-approved method would mean a CDPH-approved method, but no CDPH approval of a specific method was found.

Aprons of at least 0.25 mm lead equivalent are required for everyone in the fluoroscopy room except the patient who is likely to be exposed to 5 mR/hr or more (in place since 10-1-2020). Drapes and panels of at least 0.25 mm lead equivalent are required whenever practicable. Thyroid shields and eyewear are not addressed.

not found. § 30307 has no apron inspection requirement; hospital inspection programs are facility policy, not state rules.

Engineered shielding systems are not addressed. Drapes and panels "shall not substitute" for an apron. The apron duty applies only at 5 mR/hr or more, but the rule does not say whether a system keeping exposure below that level removes the duty. § 30305(a)(2) allows "equivalent protection through other means" for existing installations, but it is not written about aprons. The topic was presented at the RTCC on April 8, 2026; no rule proposal followed.

Only permit holders may operate. Physicians, osteopaths, podiatrists and chiropractors need a fluoroscopy S&O permit (§ 30463); radiologists may instead hold a radiology S&O certificate (§ 30466). Certified technologists need an RTF permit and work under a licentiate's supervision (§§ 30450, 30461). PAs need a PA fluoroscopy permit and work under an S&O-permitted physician (§ 30456.1). Unpermitted people may move the patient or equipment but may not energize the beam or select technique (§ 30305.5). No NP pathway was found.

Licentiates must pass a CDPH-approved fluoroscopy exam (ACBR-certified chiropractors exempt); a secondary source says renewal needs 10 CE credits every 2 years, at least 4 in fluoroscopy radiation safety (§ 30403(b), not read directly). A temporary permit has been available since December 15, 2022. Technologists must be certified, complete permit school or have American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) credentials, and pass CDPH exams. PAs need at least 40 hours of coursework plus supervised clinical training, and 10 CE hours every 2 years.