Education/Experience Requirements for Diagnostic Imaging Specialists and Therapeutic Radiological Physicists

Section 410 Section 410.20  Education/Experience Requirements for Diagnostic Imaging Specialists and Therapeutic Radiological Physicists a)         Diagnostic imaging specialists and therapeutic radiological physicists responsible for implementing comprehensive radiation protection programs shall be approved by the Agency in accordance with Section 410.30 of this Part. b)         Diagnostic Imaging Specialist. Individuals seeking approval as a diagnostic imaging specialist must possess the knowledge, training and experience to apply principles of radiological physics to diagnostic x-ray applications.  Individuals seeking such approval shall meet any one of the criteria set forth in this subsection (b). Education and/or Certification Experience 1) Certification by the American Board of Radiology, American Board of Medical Physics or Canadian College of Medical Physics, in radiological physics or diagnostic radiological physics and experience included in certification. 2) Certification by the American Board of Health Physics, by the College, or one of the Boards listed in subsection (b)(1) of this Section, in Therapeutic radiological physics and 6 months of experience in diagnostic x-ray, which shall include quality assurance and survey experience. 3) Doctorate (Ph. D.) or Master's (MS/MA) degree in health physics, medical radiological physics or physics and 1 year of applied x-ray radiation protection experience of which 6 months shall include quality assurance and survey experience in diagnostic x-ray. 4) Bachelor's (BS/BA) degree in health physics, medical radiological physics or physics and 2 years of applied x-ray radiation protection experience of which 6 months shall include quality assurance and survey experience in diagnostic x-ray. 5) Mater's (MS/MA) or Bachelor's (BS/BA) degree in physical or life science, mathematics, or other equivalent degree as determined by the Department and 3 years of applied x-ray radiation protection experience of which 1 year shall include quality assurance and survey experience in diagnostic x-ray. AGENCY NOTE:  A degree that is not readily identifiable as meeting the requirements of this Part may be referred to the State Board of Higher Education for a determination of the degree classification. c)         Therapeutic Radiological Physicist.  Individuals seeking approval as a therapeutic radiological physicist must possess the knowledge, training and experience to measure ionizing radiation, evaluate safety techniques, advise regarding radiation protection needs and apply the principles of radiological physics to clinical radiation therapy.  To meet these criteria, a therapeutic radiological physicist shall meet either of the criteria set forth in this subsection (c). Education and/or Certification Experience 1) Certification by the American Board of Radiology, the American Board of Medical Physics or Canadian College of Medical Physics, in therapeutic radiological physics, roentgen ray and gamma ray physics, x-ray and radium physics, or radiological physics and experience included in certification. 2) Doctorate (Ph.D.) or Master's (MS/MA) degree in physics, biophysics, radiological physics or health physics and 1 year of full-time training in radiological physics and also 1 year of full-time work experience under the supervision of a therapeutic radiological physicist at a medical institution. d)         To meet the work experience requirements of subsection (c)(2) of this Section, the individual shall have performed the tasks specified in 32 Ill. Adm. Code 360.120(c), (d) and (e) under the supervision of an individual meeting the requirements of subsection (c) of this Section during the year of work experience. e)         An individual previously holding a designation as a diagnostic imaging specialist and/or a therapeutic radiological physicist, and previously approved by the former Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety as a  qualified inspector, shall remain approved as a diagnostic imaging specialist and/or therapeutic radiological physicist, unless approval is removed for cause pursuant to this Part.