Is Nevada an NRC Agreement State?
Yes
Yes. Nevada is an NRC Agreement State.
Rule text and source
- Rule
- NRC list of Agreement States, updated October 29, 2026
- Source
- nrc.gov
Nevada: radiation safety rules for fluoroscopy teams
What Nevada'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 It is not comprehensive and not always accurate: rules change, and answers may be incomplete, out of date or wrong.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
In brief
ORSIF's research identified the Radiation Control Program (RCP), Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH), Department of Health and Human Services as the agency that regulates X-ray and fluoroscopy equipment in Nevada. Nevada is a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Agreement State: it has signed an agreement with the NRC to regulate certain radioactive materials itself.
Nevada's radiation rules are in NAC Chapter 459. One shared set of Standards for Protection Against Radiation (NAC 459.320-459.374) covers both radioactive-materials licensees and X-ray registrants, and it holds the only clear ALARA requirement found for X-ray users, so a federal NRC change to ALARA could affect fluoroscopy rules. Nevada uses the federal dose limits: 50 mSv whole body, 150 mSv lens of the eye, 500 mSv skin and extremities, and 5 mSv over a pregnancy for a declared pregnant worker. Workers must be monitored if they are likely to exceed 10% of a limit, and the dosimeter goes at the collar outside the apron. Staff must use 0.25 mm lead-equivalent aprons or barriers, or keep their distance. Engineered alternatives to aprons are not addressed. Under NRS 653, fluoroscopy may be performed by American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)-certified licensed technologists, by grandfathered persons, or under narrow exceptions. Several 2025-2026 draft rules are pending, and their adoption is unconfirmed.
The rules, question by question
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.
Where the rules live
Which rules apply, and whether ALARA is among them.
Which rules cover X-ray and fluoroscopy equipment in Nevada?
YesCheck the source
All rules are in NAC Chapter 459: general applicability NAC 459.118; Standards for Protection Against Radiation NAC 459.320-459.374 (all licensees and registrants); X-rays in the Healing Arts NAC 459.400-459.624, with fluoroscopy at NAC 459.566-459.578; employee notices NAC 459.780-459.794.
Rule text and source
- Rule
- NAC 459.118; NAC 459.320(1)
- Source
- leg.state.nv.us
Does Nevada require X-ray users to keep doses as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA)?
YesLess certain
Yes, with a caveat. NAC 459.320(3) requires licensees and registrants to keep exposures ALARA. The wording pairs exposures with effluent releases, so its reach to occupational X-ray exposure is a matter of interpretation. The ALARA definition expressly includes registered activities.
Where ALARA lives in Nevada: Only in a rule shared with radioactive materials. The ALARA requirement (459.320(3)) and its definition (459.0205) sit in sections that apply to both materials licensees and X-ray registrants. No X-ray-specific ALARA wording was found in the X-ray sections read, but NAC 459.556 was not checked. A federal change could reach X-ray registrants through these shared rules. (NAC 459.320(2)-(3); NAC 459.0192)
Rule text and source
- Rule
- NAC 459.320(3); NAC 459.0205
- Source
- law.cornell.edu
- What it says
a licensee or registrant shall make every reasonable effort to maintain exposures and releases of radioactive materials in effluents to unrestricted areas, as low as is reasonably achievable.
This quote was matched word for word to the source page.
Dose limits
The annual limits for workers, written in millisieverts (mSv). Ten mSv equal one rem.
What is the annual whole-body dose limit in Nevada?
YesCheck the source
Total effective dose equivalent of 5 rems (50 mSv) per year.
What is the annual eye-lens dose limit in Nevada?
YesCheck the source
15 rems (150 mSv) per year. No lower limit has been adopted.
What is the annual limit for the skin, hands and feet in Nevada?
YesCheck the source
50 rems (500 mSv) per year to the skin of the whole body or any extremity.
What limit applies to a declared pregnant worker in Nevada?
YesCheck the source
0.5 rem (5 mSv) to the embryo over the entire pregnancy for a woman who has declared her pregnancy.
Dosimeters
When a worker must wear a dosimeter, and where.
When must a worker in Nevada wear a dosimeter?
YesCheck the source
Adults likely to receive more than 10% of any NAC 459.325 limit in a year from external sources must be monitored. Minors must be monitored above 0.1 rem deep dose, 0.15 rem lens dose, or 0.5 rem skin or extremity dose. Declared pregnant women are also covered.
Where must the dosimeter be worn in Nevada when a protective apron is worn?
In partCheck the source
When an apron is worn, at least one dosimeter goes at the collar outside the apron. The recorded whole-body dose is the highest dose to any critical organ. No two-badge or effective-dose calculation method was found; the 2015 DPBH dosimetry bulletin was not read.
Aprons and alternatives
Protective apparel, how it is checked, and whether other systems are addressed.
Must staff in Nevada fluoroscopy rooms wear protective aprons or other apparel?
YesLess certain
Staff must wear aprons or use whole-body barriers of at least 0.25 mm lead equivalent, or stand at a set distance (at least 2 meters, per a search excerpt). NAC 459.578 adds fluoroscopy scatter shielding below and above the table. No general thyroid-shield or eyewear requirement was found.
Rule text and source
- Rule
- NAC 459.554; NAC 459.578(1)-(2)
- Source
- law.cornell.edu
- What it says
protective aprons or whole body protective barriers of not less than 0.25 mm lead equivalent.
This quote was matched word for word to the source page.
Does Nevada require protective aprons to be inspected?
Not foundCheck the source
not found
Do the rules in Nevada address engineered protection systems used in place of aprons?
In partLess certain
Engineered systems that replace aprons are not addressed. Whole-body protective barriers are an alternative to aprons, and the Division may grant exceptions to the above-table barrier rule where a sterile field prevents their use.
Rule text and source
- Rule
- NAC 459.578(3); NAC 459.06455
- Source
- law.cornell.edu
- What it says
Upon application to the Division with adequate justification, exceptions to subsection 2 may be made in some special procedures where a sterile field will not permit the use of the normal protective barriers or where the protective barriers would interfere with the procedures.
This quote was matched word for word to the source page.
Who operates the equipment
Who may use fluoroscopy equipment and what training the rules ask for.
Who may operate fluoroscopy equipment in Nevada?
In partCheck the source
Fluoroscopy may be performed by ARRT-certified state license holders, by people performing fluoroscopy on January 1, 2020 who meet the exception's conditions, and under limited NRS 653.620 exceptions. Exemptions for physicians, PAs and NPs are unconfirmed.
Rule text and source
- Rule
- NRS 653.640; NRS 653.620; NAC 459.552; NAC 459.568
- Source
- leg.state.nv.us
What training or credentials does Nevada require to operate fluoroscopy equipment?
In partCheck the source
License holders need ARRT certification to perform fluoroscopy. A grandfather clause covers people performing fluoroscopy on January 1, 2020. No required training hours, continuing education, or physician fluoroscopy training rule was found.
Rule text and source
- Rule
- NRS 653.640; NRS 653 grandfather clause; NAC 653
- Source
- archive.leg.state.nv.us
Changes on the way, and recent ones
Rules, bills and guidance the research found from 2025 and 2026, with the ones that touch fluoroscopy teams first.
- Proposed ruleR027-26
Draft (initial draft I and LCB draft P); adoption not confirmed
Would require monitoring when protective clothing or devices are worn (amending NAC 459.339 and 459.558), require registrants to supply monitoring to people who must wear protective clothing, restate who may perform fluoroscopy, and raise machine fees.
- Proposed ruleR025-26
Second revised draft (RP2); adoption not confirmed
Amends machine registration (NAC 459.150-459.154) and NAC 459.554 (documenting protocols), and adds a requirement that CT systems used for CT fluoroscopy have policies and training to reduce staff exposure.
- Proposed ruleR053-26
Informational statement; adoption not confirmed
Concerns dental lead aprons under NAC 459.554.
1 other item the research logged (radiation therapy, industrial machines, fees and other subjects)
- Proposed ruleR073-25
Revised draft; adoption not confirmed
Updates the radioactive-materials rules for NRC compatibility.
Also worth knowing
- NAC 459.578 sets fluoroscopy scatter-control requirements for staff that go beyond aprons: under-table shielding, above-table drapes or panels, or 120 cm distance.
- Nevada has a dedicated personnel-monitoring rule for X-ray users (NAC 459.558) with the collar-outside-apron rule. It also bans deliberately exposing a dosimeter to show a false dose and calls for action when readings rise sharply or approach the limits.
- DPBH posts the NRC's embryo/fetus dose regulatory guide and a generic NAC 459.321 radiation protection program for machine registrants.
- Employee notice and inspection rights (NAC 459.780-459.794) apply to registrants.
What ORSIF could not confirm
Questions the research could not settle. If you know the answer, tell us.
- Rule sections not fully read: NAC 459.321, 459.3205, 459.554, 459.556, 459.5585 and 459.5595. These need checking for program-level ALARA wording, which federal provisions are adopted by reference (and whether by a fixed date), the exact apron and distance language, and any thyroid or eyewear rules.
- ALARA scope: whether DPBH reads NAC 459.320(3) as covering occupational X-ray exposure. Ask the RCP directly.
- Dosimetry methods: the DPBH Personnel Dosimetry Technical Bulletin (2015-03-27) may set two-badge or effective-dose calculation methods.
- Apron inspection: not found; check the DPBH machine-registrant guidance and inspection checklists.
- Operators: the full text of NRS 653.620, NRS 653.640 and NAC 653 on exemptions for physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners, supervision, training hours and continuing education.
- Status of R025-26, R027-26 and R053-26: check the Nevada Register / LCB adopted-regulation list and the DPBH public hearing pages.
- 2025 legislation: no search was done for 2025 Nevada bills touching NRS 459 or 653. Check NELIS.
- Currency: the Cornell LII copies were cached in August 2026, and some quotes come from search excerpts. Verify against the official NAC (Rev. 6/28/2026) before publishing.
Who regulates, and where to read the rules
Double-check before you rely on this page
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.
Where to check
- The rule itself. Open "Rule text and source" under any answer, or read the sources listed below.
- The state. Radiation Control Program (RCP). Program contacts in the CRCPD directory.
- Your radiation safety officer. They know the federal, accreditation and facility requirements that apply at your site, which the state rules do not cover.
What may be missing here
- 1 of 14 answers on this page are "Not found" or "Unclear". That means ORSIF did not find the answer in the rules it reviewed, not that no rule exists.
- 13 answers carry a flag or a lower confidence ("Check the source" or "Less certain").
- Researched November 3, 2026. Rules may have changed since.
- Only the state's rules for X-ray and fluoroscopy equipment were reviewed.
Found something wrong or missing? Tell ORSIF.
Sources and terms
Terms used on this page
- ALARA
- As low as reasonably achievable: keep radiation doses as low as is reasonable, below the legal limits.
- Agreement State
- A state that has signed an agreement with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to regulate certain radioactive materials itself.
- mSv
- Millisievert, a unit of radiation dose. Ten mSv equal one rem, the older unit some rules still use.
- Dosimeter
- A badge or device worn to measure a worker's radiation dose.
- Lead equivalent
- The thickness of lead (mm Pb) that would give the same protection as the material described.
- NRC
- U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
- ARRT
- American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
All 20 sources the research read
- NAC Chapter 459, official (Rev. 6/28/2026)
- Cornell LII, NAC 459.320
- Cornell LII, NAC 459.578
- Cornell LII, NAC 459.339 (search excerpt)
- Cornell LII, NAC 459.554 (search excerpt)
- Cornell LII, NAC 459.552 (search excerpt)
- DPBH, Radiation Incidents, Statutes
- DPBH, RCP Overview
- DPBH, Exposure limits summary
- DPBH, Generic Radiation Protection Program (NAC 459.321)
- DPBH, Rural Authorization registration form
- NRS Chapter 653
- DPBH fluoroscopy technical bulletin (2021 Senate exhibit)
- R043-20 Public Hearing Notice
- R027-26I
- R027-26P
- R025-26RP1
- R025-26RP2
- R053-26 Informational Statement
- R073-25RP1
Found something out of date or wrong? Tell ORSIF. Corrections are checked against the rule text and the page is updated.