Maine Radiation Control Program
POLICY AND GUIDANCE 94-02

OCTOBER 7, 1994

Subject: Training and Experience Required For Radiation Safety Officers For Part G Licensees (G.900 and G.901)

BACKGROUND

Individuals who wish to fulfill the responsibilities of Radiation Safety Officers (RSO) for medical institutions shall have the training and experience as outlined in Part G.900 and G.901 of the State of Maine Rules Relating to Radiation Protection (SMRRRP). These requirements differ slightly from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) training and experience outlined in 10 CFR 35.900 and 35.901. Recently there has been a request made for an RSO at a medical facility who does not fulfill the State of Maine requirements but does fulfill the NRC requirements.

REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

I. The SMRRRP outlines the training and experience for RSO's in Parts G.900 and G.901.

Part G.900.A. states that: "Except as provided in G.901, an individual fulfilling the responsibilities of the RSO as provided in G.7 shall:

A: Be certified by the:

(1) American Board of Health Physics in Comprehensive Health Physics, or

(2) American Board of Radiology in Radiological Physics, Therapeutic Radiological Physics, or Medical Nuclear Physics, or

(3) American Board of Nuclear Medicine, or

(4) American Board of Science in Nuclear Medicine, or

(5) Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties in Nuclear Pharmacy or Science.

II. The NRC outlines the training and experience for RSO's in 10 CFR 35.900 and 901.

The NRC training and experience requirements are the same as in G.900 and 901 above with the following exception: in A.(2), the NRC only requires an American Board of Radiology certification in general and not the specific ones listed above in Maine regulations.

POSITION STATEMENT

In an effort to be fully compatible with the NRC's training and experience requirements, the State of Maine will license any individual who seeks authorization as an RSO under a Part G license, and meets the requirements set forth in G.900 and G.901. This agency will additionally evaluate the uses authorized on the license and the certificates of training of the applicant to determine applicability to the NRC regulations. In NO instance will this Agency's decision on the licensure of the RSO for a Part G licensee be less stringent than that of the NRC regulations in effect at that time.

Robert J. Schell, Acting Manager
Division of Health Engineering

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CALL THE RADIATION CONTROL PROGRAM AT:
207-287-5676