What Montana'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 It is not comprehensive and not always accurate: rules change, and answers may be incomplete, out of date or wrong.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. The research for this state ended before every question was fully answered, so some answers may be incomplete. 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 Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) as the agency that regulates X-ray and fluoroscopy equipment in Montana. Montana is not a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Agreement State, so the NRC regulates radioactive materials there directly. The state still regulates X-ray machines.
Montana's X-ray rules date mostly from 1980. ALARA appears only as advisory "should" language in the general Subchapter 7 standards, which are shared by licensees and registrants. Montana is not an NRC Agreement State. Dose limits are quarterly and follow the pre-1994 federal model: the lens is grouped with the whole body at 1¼ rem (12.5 mSv) per quarter, and no embryo/fetus limit was found. Everyone in the fluoroscopy room except the patient must wear an apron of at least 0.25 mm lead equivalent, with the dosimeter at the collar outside the apron. The rules reviewed do not address apron inspection, thyroid shields, eyewear or apron alternatives. Limited-permit operators may not perform fluoroscopy, and other operator rules remain unresolved.
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.
No. Montana is not an NRC Agreement State. ARM 37.14.101 still refers to an agreement with the NRC, which appears to be leftover 1980 wording.
ARM 37.14 Subchapter 10, "X-Rays in the Healing Arts" (37.14.1001-1022), with fluoroscopy in 37.14.1006 and 37.14.1003. General standards are in Subchapter 7 (37.14.701-758). Most rules took effect 3/28/1980, and 37.14.1002 and 37.14.1003 were revised 10/31/2003. The research read the text on Cornell LII and Justia (current through September 20, 2024).
Subchapter 37.14.7 - Standards for Protection Against Radiation (Rule 37.14.701 to 37.14.758)This quote was matched word for word to the source page.
Advisory only: efforts "should" be made rather than "shall." The rule applies to all licensees and registrants, including X-ray registrants. It does not require an ALARA program.
Where ALARA lives in Montana: Only in a rule shared with radioactive materials. ALARA appears only in ARM 37.14.701, in Subchapter 7, which applies to all licensees and registrants. No ALARA wording was found in the X-ray rules reviewed (37.14.1003,.1006,.1012). 37.14.1003(5) references 10 CFR part 20 for shielding design only. (ARM 37.14.701(1); ARM 37.14.1003(5)(a))
The annual limits for workers, written in millisieverts (mSv). Ten mSv equal one rem.
1¼ rem (12.5 mSv) per calendar quarter. Up to 3 rem (30 mSv) per quarter is allowed if the lifetime 5(N-18) rem limit is met and dose history is documented on form MRH-30. Limits are quarterly and are not expressed as total effective dose equivalent (TEDE).
As used in (3), "dose to the whole body" shall be deemed to include any dose to the whole body, gonads, active blood-forming organs, head and trunk, or lens of eye.This quote was matched word for word to the source page.
There is no separate lens limit. The lens is grouped with the whole body at 1¼ rem (12.5 mSv) per quarter. No modern lens limit (such as International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP)'s 20 mSv) has been adopted.
As used in (3), "dose to the whole body" shall be deemed to include any dose to the whole body, gonads, active blood-forming organs, head and trunk, or lens of eye.This quote was matched word for word to the source page.
Hands, forearms, feet and ankles: 18¾ rem (187.5 mSv) per quarter. Skin of whole body: 7½ rem (75 mSv) per quarter.
not found
When a worker must wear a dosimeter, and where.
Generally required if a worker is likely to exceed 25% of a quarterly limit (5% for workers under 18). The X-ray rules require monitoring for at least a 13-week period starting each January. For fluoroscopy, monitoring is required for everyone who enters a controlled area.
When an apron is worn, the badge goes at the collar outside the apron. The research found no two-badge method and no method for calculating effective dose equivalent.
When a protective apron is worn, the monitoring device shall be worn at the collar outside of the apron.This quote was matched word for word to the source page.
Protective apparel, how it is checked, and whether other systems are addressed.
Aprons of at least 0.25 mm lead equivalent are required for everyone in the fluoroscopy room except the patient. Thyroid shields and eyewear are not addressed in the rules reviewed.
Protective aprons of at least 0.25 millimeters lead equivalent shall be worn in the fluoroscopy room by each person except the patient.This quote was matched word for word to the source page.
not found
Not addressed. The only related provision is a general waiver that applies if the registrant shows equivalent protection by other means; it does not mention aprons or engineered systems.
The department may waive compliance with the specific requirements of this subchapter by an existing machine or installation if the registrant demonstrates, to the department's satisfaction, achievement through other means of radiation protection equivalent to that required by this chapter.This quote was matched word for word to the source page.
Who may use fluoroscopy equipment and what training the rules ask for.
Only partly answered. People who take X-ray exposures must be licensed by the state board. Limited permit holders (104-hour training) may not perform fluoroscopy. Registrants must ensure only competent persons use sources. Physician, PA/NP and supervision rules were not found.
The RT license is based on ARM 24.204.408 and MCA 37-14-302; a secondary source says Montana requires American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification/registration. Limited permits require 104 hours of training and exclude fluoroscopy. No state fluoroscopy permit, physician fluoroscopy training rules or continuing education requirements were found.
Questions the research could not settle. If you know the answer, tell us.
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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