What Georgia'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 It is not comprehensive and not always accurate: rules change, and answers may be incomplete, out of date or wrong.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 Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), Healthcare Facility Regulation Division (HFRD) X-ray program; radioactive materials handled separately by Department of Natural Resources' Environmental Protection Division (EPD), Radioactive Materials Program as the agency that regulates X-ray and fluoroscopy equipment in Georgia. Georgia is a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Agreement State: it has signed an agreement with the NRC to regulate certain radioactive materials itself.
Georgia's X-ray rules are in Chapter 111-8-90, run by DCH. They do not require ALARA for X-ray users; ALARA appears only in EPD's separate radioactive-materials rulebook (391-3-17). Dose limits are quarterly: the whole-body limit is 1¼ rem (12.5 mSv) per quarter, and the lens of the eye falls under that same limit (below 150 mSv a year, but not the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP)'s 20 mSv). Staff who must stay in the room must be protected by aprons "or whole body protective barriers" of at least 0.25 mm lead equivalent, and dosimeters are worn outside the apron at the collar. Only licensed practitioners and authorized operators may apply radiation. Operators must get at least six hours of instruction, but there is no state technologist license and no fluoroscopy-specific permit.
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. Georgia is not on the list of non-Agreement States. Radioactive materials are licensed by EPD under Chapter 391-3-17.
Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. Chapter 111-8-90, "Rules and Regulations for X-Ray":.01 General Provisions,.02 Registration,.03 Standards for Protection against Radiation (X-ray only),.04 X-Rays in the Healing Arts (fluoroscopy at.04(12)),.07 Records, Reports and Notifications. Cornell LII notes Rule.03 adopted F. Oct. 9, 2020, eff. Oct. 29, 2020, under O.C.G.A. § 31-13-5; text may be older content carried into the 2020 chapter (unconfirmed). Separate radioactive-materials rule 391-3-17-.03 applies to EPD licensees only.
To set forth rules and regulations which implement the mandates of the Radiation Control Act, O.C.G.A. Chapter 31-13, as it relates to the registration and regulation of users of radiation machines.This quote was matched word for word to the source page.
not found
Where ALARA lives in Georgia: No ALARA requirement found for X-ray users. For X-ray users, ALARA appears nowhere. It appears only in EPD's radioactive-materials rule 391-3-17-.03(4)(b), which covers EPD licensees. The X-ray chapter (111-8-90) is a separate chapter run by a different agency (DCH) and has no ALARA to remove, so an NRC compatibility change would directly affect only the radioactive-materials rule. (391-3-17-.03(1)(b) and (4)(b))
…similar precautionary information which may be appropriate in aiding individuals to minimize exposure to radiation.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.
1¼ rem (12.5 mSv) per calendar quarter (about 50 mSv/year by this research's arithmetic). A registrant may allow up to 3 rem (30 mSv) per quarter if the lifetime total stays within 5(N-18) rem and prior dose is documented. No total effective dose equivalent (TEDE) concept.
The lens of the eye is counted as part of the whole body: 1¼ rem (12.5 mSv) per quarter, about 50 mSv/year by this research's arithmetic. This comes from the old framework, not the ICRP 20 mSv.
Hands, forearms, feet and ankles: 18¾ rem (187.5 mSv) per quarter (about 750 mSv/year). Skin of whole body: 7½ rem (75 mSv) per quarter (about 300 mSv/year).
Embryo/fetus: no more than 50 mrem (0.5 mSv) per month after the pregnancy is known, and 500 mrem (5 mSv) over the whole pregnancy. No declared pregnant worker procedure. Workers under 18 are limited to 10% of adult limits.
The embryo/fetus shall not be exposed to doses in excess of 50 mrem in any one month after the pregnancy is known.This quote was matched word for word to the source page.
When a worker must wear a dosimeter, and where.
A dosimeter is required for anyone likely to get more than 25% of the quarterly limit (about 0.31 rem / 3.1 mSv per quarter for whole body), workers under 18 who may get more than 10% of the limit, and anyone entering a high radiation area. All operators of portable equipment must be monitored, but that rule sits in the non-fluoroscopic section, so whether it covers mobile C-arms is unclear.
…likely to receive, a radiation dose in any calendar quarter in excess of 25 percent of the applicable values specified in .03(2)(a)1. for occupational exposure;This quote was matched word for word to the source page.
Badge worn outside the apron at collar level. Two-badge methods and approved effective-dose calculation methods were not found.
When using protective aprons, personnel monitoring shall be worn outside the apron at collar level.This quote was matched word for word to the source page.
Protective apparel, how it is checked, and whether other systems are addressed.
Staff who must stay in the room must be protected by aprons or whole-body protective barriers of at least 0.25 mm lead equivalent. A person who could be struck by the useful beam (the direct X-ray beam) must be protected by at least 0.5 mm lead equivalent. People holding patients must be given protective clothing. The paragraph refers to "the radiographic exposure," so whether it expressly covers fluoroscopy is uncertain. Thyroid shields and eyewear are not addressed.
Staff and ancillary personnel who must remain in areas because of their required presence during an x-ray procedure, shall be protected from 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 effectiveness of protective equipment (i.e., gloves, aprons, etc.), shall not be impaired.This quote was matched word for word to the source page.
Engineered radiation protection systems are not mentioned by name, but the staff-protection rule lists "whole body protective barriers" of at least 0.25 mm lead equivalent as an either/or alternative to protective aprons. No performance standards, approval process or definition for such barriers was found.
…protected from 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.
Who may use fluoroscopy equipment and what training the rules ask for.
Only licensed practitioners and "authorized operators" (anyone the registrant authorizes) may apply radiation to people. No specific professions are named. The healing-arts part covers use "by or under the supervision of" someone authorized by state law to practice the healing arts, with no supervision level specified. Radiologist assistants are now licensed under 2026 HB 571.
The registrant must give operators at least 6 hours of instruction (including protective clothing, time/distance/shielding and radiation protection standards), starting within 30 days of hire and finishing within 90 days, with records kept. Not found: fluoroscopy-specific training, American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification, a state permit, continuing education, or physician fluoroscopy training. A secondary source says Georgia has no individual radiologic technologist license.
The registrant shall require persons operating his radiation machine and associated equipment to receive, at a minimum, six hours of instruction.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.
Status unknown (Aug 29, 2025)
Proposed amendments to the radioactive-materials rules; they do not cover X-ray machines.
Enacted as Act 404; signed and effective May 5, 2026
Creates licensing for radiologist assistants under the Georgia Composite Medical Board (O.C.G.A. §§ 43-34-330 to -338). Final text not obtained; whether it mentions fluoroscopy is unchecked.
Unconfirmed; reported only by a secondary source
No proposed changes to 111-8-90 were found. A secondary source says DCH has suspended the annual registration fee "pending rule revisions."
Questions the research could not settle. If you know the answer, tell us.
Copies saved earlier. Rules change, so check the current text at the source.
ORSIF compiled this page from the sources linked on it and did its best. It is not comprehensive and it is not always accurate. Rules change, a rule may have been missed or misread, and the sources themselves can be out of date. Treat this page as a starting point.
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