Introducing Radiant Real-Time Dosimetry by Radiation Detection Company. Read the press release →
Introducing Radiant Real-Time Dosimetry by Radiation Detection Company. Read the press release →
FREE RADIATION SAFETY DOWNLOAD
Radiation safety compliance in the United States varies based on state and local regulations. While the NRC sets federal requirements, and 39 of the 50 states run their own radiation safety programs with additional rules, Agreement States may adopt additional or modified requirements to address state-specific needs, provided they remain compatible with NRC regulations. Knowing which requirements apply to your organization and which regulatory authority to follow can be the hardest part of getting compliant. This free 12-page guide walks you through it in three steps.
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WHAT’S INCLUDED
KEY INSIGHTS
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) establishes baseline radiation protection requirements nationwide, including annual occupational dose limits and the ALARA principle, the mandate to keep exposures As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA). But 39 states have signed formal agreements with the NRC to regulate their own radiation safety programs. These “Agreement States” can impose additional licensing, permitting, and compliance requirements beyond the federal baseline.
That’s the trap most practices fall into: they meet the federal rules and assume they’re done. Whether your state is one of the 39, and what extra requirements it enforces, determines your real compliance obligations. The guide identifies your state’s status and connects you directly to your regulatory authority.
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
Know the federal requirements. Understand the NRC dose limits, when personnel monitoring becomes mandatory, which records you must keep (and for how long), and who must complete annual radiation safety training under 10 CFR 19.12.
Find your state requirements. Determine whether you’re in an Agreement State, whether you need a license or permit, and exactly which agency to contact for your region.
Choose the right solution. Match your situation to the right monitoring program, from standard whole body badges to extremity, fetal, and area monitoring.
IS THIS GUIDE RIGHT FOR YOU?
This guide is written for the people responsible for radiation safety compliance in:
Including mobile and large-animal practices where handheld X-ray use is common.
Where intraoral and panoramic imaging create routine occupational exposure.
Where multiple modalities mean multiple monitoring categories.
Where staff scale makes systematic dose tracking essential.
Where in-office X-ray brings state registration requirements many owners don’t expect.
If your team works around ionizing radiation, these regulations apply to you.
If you’ve ever asked, “Do my employees actually need dosimeter badges?” or “Who regulates radiation safety in my state?” – this guide was built to answer exactly those questions.
It depends on likely exposure. The NRC requires individual personnel monitoring when a worker’s dose is likely to exceed 10% of the annual occupational limit, and many practices monitor below that threshold anyway for liability and insurance reasons. The guide includes a checklist to evaluate exactly where your practice falls.
An Agreement State is a state that has signed a formal agreement with the NRC to regulate its own radiation safety program. 39 of the 50 states are Agreement States, and each can add requirements beyond the federal baseline. The guide shows you your state’s status and your regulatory point of contact.
The NRC sets annual dose limits that differ by category; whole body, extremities, minors, members of the public, and declared pregnant workers each have their own limit and monitoring threshold. The guide’s dose limit chart lays out every category side by side.
It depends on whether your state runs its own radiation control program. The guide includes a state-by-state directory that points you to the correct licensing and regulatory contact for your state. Attendees will be able to identify compliance and workflow gaps, improve accountability across imaging and radiation safety processes, evaluate operational alignment strategies, and better understand how stronger cross-functional visibility can improve audit readiness and reduce risk.
Federal and state rules require annual training under 10 CFR 19.12 for radiation workers above a specific annual exposure threshold, with additional guidance required for declared pregnant workers. The guide shows you how to check your dose reports to determine who on your team requires monitoring.
Longer than most practices expect – the guide covers the federal recordkeeping requirements, and how a dosimetry provider can maintain accessible dose reports for you.
Yes, the current edition was updated in July 2026. It’s for general informational purposes and doesn’t constitute legal advice; it’s designed to help you understand the regulations and reach the right authorities.
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Radiation Detection Company has helped practices stay compliant since 1949 – over 75 years of NVLAP-accredited dosimetry trusted by veterinary, dental, medical, and chiropractic teams nationwide (Lab Code 100512-0). Download the guide, find your requirements, and if you need monitoring, we’ll help you choose the right solution.
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