Chapter 4773 | Radiation Technicians

Section 4773.01 | Radiation technician definitions.

• Effective: April 12, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 210 - 133rd General Assembly

As used in this chapter:

(A) "General x-ray machine operator" means an individual who operates ionizing radiation-generating equipment in order to perform standard radiology procedures; whose performance of such procedures is limited to specific body sites; and who does not, to any significant degree, determine procedure positioning or the dosage of radiation to which a patient is exposed.

(B) "Chiropractor" means an individual licensed under Chapter 4734. of the Revised Code to practice chiropractic.

(C) "Ionizing radiation" means any electromagnetic or particulate radiation that interacts with atoms to produce ionization in matter, including x-rays, gamma rays, alpha and beta particles, high speed electrons, neutrons, and other nuclear particles.

(D) "Physician" means an individual authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery.

(E) "Podiatrist" means an individual authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice podiatric medicine and surgery.

(F) "Nuclear medicine technologist" means an individual who does all of the following:

(1) Prepares and administers radio-pharmaceuticals to human beings;

(2) Conducts in vivo or in vitro detection and measurement of radioactivity for medical purposes;

(3) Documents orders for radio-pharmaceuticals in patient medical records.

(G) "Radiation therapy technologist" means an individual who utilizes ionizing radiation-generating equipment, including therapy simulator radiation-generating equipment, for therapeutic purposes on human beings.

"Radiation therapy technologist" is the same as a radiation therapist.

(H) "Radiographer" means an individual who does all of the following in order to perform a comprehensive scope of radiology procedures on human beings:

(1) Operates ionizing radiation-generating equipment;

(2) Administers contrast;

(3) Documents orders for contrast in patient medical records;

(4) Determines procedure positioning;

(5) Determines the dosage of ionizing radiation.

(I) "Mechanotherapist" means an individual who holds a certificate issued under section 4731.15 of the Revised Code authorizing the individual to practice mechanotherapy.

Section 4773.02 | License requirement.

• Effective: October 17, 2019
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 166 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, no person shall practice or hold self out as a general x-ray machine operator, radiographer, radiation therapy technologist, or nuclear medicine technologist without a valid license issued under this chapter for the person's area of practice.

(B) Division (A) of this section does not apply to any of the following:

(1) A physician, podiatrist, mechanotherapist, or chiropractor;

(2) An individual licensed under Chapter 4715. of the Revised Code to practice dentistry, to practice as a dental hygienist, or to practice as a dental x-ray machine operator;

(3) As specified in 42 C.F.R. 75, radiologic personnel employed by the federal government or serving in a branch of the armed forces of the United States;

(4) Students engaging in any of the activities performed by basic x-ray machine operators, radiographers, radiation therapy technologists, and nuclear medicine technologists as an integral part of a program of study leading to receipt of a license issued under this chapter or Chapter 4715., 4731., or 4734. of the Revised Code.

Section 4773.03 | Applying for license.

• Effective: December 29, 2023
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 131 - 134th General Assembly

(A) Except as provided in division (G) of this section, each individual seeking a license to practice as a general x-ray machine operator, radiographer, radiation therapy technologist, or nuclear medicine technologist shall apply to the department of health on a form the department shall prescribe and provide. The application shall be accompanied by the appropriate license application fee established in rules adopted under section 4773.08 of the Revised Code.

(B) Except as provided in division (G) of this section, the department shall review all applications received and issue the appropriate general x-ray machine operator, radiographer, radiation therapy technologist, or nuclear medicine technologist license to each applicant who meets all of the following requirements:

(1) Is eighteen years of age or older;

(2) Except as provided in division (C) of this section, passes the examination administered under section 4773.04 of the Revised Code for the applicant's area of practice;

(3) Complies with any other licensing standards established in rules adopted under section 4773.08 of the Revised Code.

(C) An applicant is not required to take a licensing examination if one of the following applies to the applicant:

(1) The individual is applying for a license as a general x-ray machine operator and holds certification in that area of practice from the American registry of radiologic technologists or the American chiropractic registry of radiologic technologists.

(2) The individual is applying for a license as a radiographer and holds certification in that area of practice from the American registry of radiologic technologists.

(3) The individual is applying for a license as a radiation therapy technologist and holds certification in that area of practice from the American registry of radiologic technologists.

(4) The individual is applying for a license as a nuclear medicine technologist and holds certification in that area of practice from the American registry of radiologic technologists or the nuclear medicine technology certification board.

(5) The individual holds a conditional license issued under section 4773.05 of the Revised Code and has completed the continuing education requirements established in rules adopted under section 4773.08 of the Revised Code.

(D) A license issued under this section expires biennially on the license holder's birthday, except for an initial license which expires on the license holder's birthday following two years after it is issued. For an initial license, the fee established in rules adopted under section 4773.08 of the Revised Code may be increased in proportion to the amount of time beyond two years that the license may be valid.

A license may be renewed. To be eligible for renewal, the license holder must complete the continuing education requirements specified in rules adopted by the department under section 4773.08 of the Revised Code. Applications for license renewal shall be accompanied by the appropriate renewal fee established in rules adopted under section 4773.08 of the Revised Code. Renewals shall be made in accordance with the standard renewal procedure established under Chapter 4745. of the Revised Code.

(E)(1) A license that has lapsed or otherwise become inactive may be reinstated. An individual seeking reinstatement of a license shall apply to the department on a form the department shall prescribe and provide. The application shall be accompanied by the appropriate reinstatement fee established in rules adopted under section 4773.08 of the Revised Code.

(2) To be eligible for reinstatement, both of the following apply:

(a) An applicant must continue to meet the conditions for receiving an initial license, including the examination or certification requirements specified in division (B) or (C) of this section. In the case of an applicant seeking reinstatement based on having passed an examination administered under section 4773.04 of the Revised Code, the length of time that has elapsed since the examination was passed is not a consideration in determining whether the applicant is eligible for reinstatement.

(b) The applicant must complete the continuing education requirements for reinstatement established in rules adopted under section 4773.08 of the Revised Code.

(F) The department shall refuse to issue, renew, or reinstate and may suspend or revoke a general x-ray machine operator, radiographer, radiation therapy technologist, or nuclear medicine technologist license if the applicant or license holder does not comply with the applicable requirements of this chapter or rules adopted under it.

(G) The department shall issue a general x-ray machine operator, radiographer, radiation therapy technologist, or nuclear medicine technologist license in accordance with Chapter 4796. of the Revised Code to an applicant if either of the following applies:

(1) The applicant holds a license in another state.

(2) The applicant has satisfactory work experience, a government certification, or a private certification as described in that chapter as a general x-ray machine operator, radiographer, radiation therapy technologist, or nuclear medicine technologist in a state that does not issue that license.

Last updated December 29, 2023 at 5:45 AM

Section 4773.04 | Conducting examinations.

• Effective: September 29, 1999
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 283 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) The department of health shall examine, or pursuant to section 3701.044 of the Revised Code contract with another entity to examine, each qualified applicant for a license issued under this chapter. To be eligible for admittance to an examination, an applicant must submit evidence satisfactory to the department or other examiner that the applicant has successfully completed a course of study in the appropriate area of practice and the course of study must have been conducted by an educational program accredited by the department under section 4773.07 of the Revised Code.

In examining or contracting for the examination of applicants, the department shall ensure that an opportunity to take an examination is available as follows:

(1) At least once each month for individuals applying to be licensed as general x-ray machine operators;

(2) At least three times each year for individuals applying to be licensed as radiographers, radiation therapy technologists, or nuclear medicine technologists.

(B) The department shall develop or contract for a separate examination for each type of license issued under this chapter. An examination may consist of all or part of any standard examination created by any entity for purposes of determining the competence of individuals to practice as general x-ray machine operators, radiographers, radiation therapy technologists, or nuclear medicine technologists.

Section 4773.05 | Grant of conditional license.

• Effective: October 29, 1995
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 121st General Assembly

Until October 20, 1995, an individual engaging in any of the activities performed by a general x-ray machine operator, radiographer, radiation therapy technologist, or nuclear medicine technologist may be granted a conditional license in that individual's area of practice. Application shall be made on a form prescribed and provided by the department of health, accompanied by the fee established in rules adopted under section 4773.08 of the Revised Code.

The department shall review all applications received and issue the appropriate conditional license to each applicant who submits evidence satisfactory to the department that during the period from October 20, 1993 to October 20, 1994, the applicant was employed to perform the procedures authorized under the license. A conditional license expires on the license holder's birthday that occurs on or after October 20, 1997, and is not renewable.

An individual holding a conditional license may apply for a license issued under section 4773.03 of the Revised Code after completing the continuing education requirements specified in rules adopted under section 4773.08 of the Revised Code.

Section 4773.06 | Supervising radiologic procedures.

• Effective: June 30, 1995
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 117 - 121st General Assembly

(A) Except as provided in division (C) of this section, a general x-ray machine operator may perform radiologic procedures only if a physician, podiatrist, mechanotherapist, or chiropractor is providing direct supervision. Direct supervision does not require the practitioner to observe each radiologic procedure performed by the operator, but does require that the practitioner be present at the location where the operator is performing radiologic procedures for purposes of consulting with and directing the operator while performing the procedures. A practitioner supervising a general x-ray machine operator may authorize the operator to perform only those radiologic procedures that are within the practitioner's scope of practice as determined by the laws under which the practitioner is authorized to practice.

(B) A radiographer, radiation therapy technologist, or nuclear medicine technologist may perform radiologic procedures only if a physician is providing general supervision. General supervision does not require the physician to observe each radiologic procedure performed or to be present at the location where the procedure is being performed, but does require that the physician be readily available for purposes of consulting with and directing the individual while performing the procedures.

(C) A general x-ray machine operator who is licensed under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code to practice as a registered nurse and is providing occupational health nursing services in an industrial workplace may perform radiologic procedures under a physician's general supervision, as described in division (B) of this section.

Section 4773.061 | Computed tomography procedures.

• Effective: April 12, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 210 - 133rd General Assembly

Subject to section 4773.06 of the Revised Code, a radiation therapy technologist or nuclear medicine technologist may perform computed tomography procedures if the technologist is certified in computed tomography by a national certifying organization approved by the director of health under section 4773.08 of the Revised Code.

When performing computed tomography procedures, the technologist shall act in accordance with rules adopted under section 4773.08 of the Revised Code. In the case of a nuclear medicine technologist, the technologist also shall act in a manner that is consistent with a definitive set of treatment guidelines, as described in section 4773.10 of the Revised Code.

Section 4773.07 | Accreditation for educational programs - continuing education.

• Effective: October 17, 2019
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 166 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) Each person seeking accreditation for an educational program or approval for a continuing education program in general x-ray machine operation, radiology, radiation therapy technology, or nuclear medicine technology shall apply to the department of health on a form the department shall prescribe and provide. The application shall be accompanied by the accreditation or approval fee established in rules adopted under section 4773.08 of the Revised Code.

(B) The department shall accredit educational programs and approve continuing education programs that meet the standards established in rules adopted under section 4773.08 of the Revised Code. The accreditation or approval shall be valid until surrendered by the program or suspended or revoked by the department. A program's accreditation or approval may be suspended or revoked if the program does not comply with applicable requirements of this chapter or rules adopted under it.

Section 4773.08 | Administrative rules.

• Effective: October 17, 2019
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 166 - 133rd General Assembly

The director of health shall adopt rules to implement and administer this chapter. In adopting the rules, the director shall consider any recommendations made by the radiation advisory council created under section 3748.20 of the Revised Code. The rules shall be adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code and shall not be less stringent than any applicable standards specified in 42 C.F.R. 75. The rules shall establish all of the following:

(A) Standards for licensing general x-ray machine operators, radiographers, radiation therapy technologists, and nuclear medicine technologists;

(B) Application, renewal, and reinstatement fees for licenses issued under this chapter that do not exceed the cost incurred in issuing, renewing, and reinstating the licenses;

(C) Standards for accreditation of educational programs and approval of continuing education programs in general x-ray machine operation, radiology, radiation therapy technology, and nuclear medicine technology;

(D) Fees for accrediting educational programs and approving continuing education programs in general x-ray machine operation, radiology, radiation therapy technology, and nuclear medicine technology that do not exceed the cost incurred in accrediting the educational programs;

(E) Fees for issuing conditional licenses under section 4773.05 of the Revised Code that do not exceed the cost incurred in issuing the licenses;

(F) Continuing education requirements that must be met to have a license renewed or reinstated under section 4773.03 of the Revised Code;

(G) Continuing education requirements that the holder of a conditional license must meet to receive a license issued under section 4773.03 of the Revised Code;

(H) Standards for approving national certifying organizations that certify nuclear medicine technologists or radiation therapy technologists to perform computed tomography;

(I) Standards for performing computed tomography procedures;

(J) Any other rules necessary for the implementation or administration of this chapter.

Section 4773.09 | Compliance with law regarding sanctions for human trafficking.

• Effective: March 22, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 247 - 129th General Assembly

The department of health shall comply with section 4776.20 of the Revised Code.

Section 4773.10 | Practice consistent with treatment guidelines.

• Effective: April 12, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 210 - 133rd General Assembly

As used in this section, "clinical leadership" includes an institution's medical director and director of radiology.

When engaging in an activity pursuant to a license issued under this chapter to practice as a radiographer or nuclear medicine technologist, the radiographer or nuclear medicine technologist shall do so in a manner that is consistent with a definitive set of treatment guidelines approved by the clinical leadership of the institution at which the radiographer or technologist practices.

Section 4773.99 | Penalty.

• Effective: July 1, 1996
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 2 - 121st General Assembly

Whoever violates section 4773.02 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree on a first offense and a felony of the fifth degree on each subsequent offense.