Education, Training, And Examination Requirements

(1) Education Requirement-The applicant shall cause to be submitted to the Board’s administrative office official verification of attendance and successful completion of six (6) contact hours of didactic instruction in the field of x-ray operation. (a) The instruction shall include, but not be limited to, radiographic imaging equipment, principles of radiographic exposure, radiation safety and protection, patient care and positioning, radiographic quality, radiographic film processing, radiographic image protection, and quality control methods. (b) The six (6) contact hours of didactic instruction may be obtained by attending a course on x-ray operation provided or sponsored by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), a state or regional affiliate of the APMA, an affiliated specialty group, the United States government, or a Board-approved course on x-ray operation. Requests for approval of coursework must be received in the Board’s administrative office at least forty-five (45) days prior to commencement of the course. (c) Verification of successful completion of the requirements of this paragraph must be sent directly to the Board by the course provider. (2) Training Requirement-The applicant shall cause to be submitted to the Board’s administrative office official verification of successful completion of at least sixty (60) hours of supervised clinical experience. (a) The supervised clinical experience shall include, but not be limited to, training in radiographic methodology, technique, patient care and positioning, equipment maintenance, darkroom, x-ray processing, radiation protection and x-ray quality control. (b) The x-ray operator, while attaining the supervised clinical experience, may take x-rays only in the presence of the supervising licensed podiatrist or a certified podiatric x-ray operator. (c) Verification of successful completion of the requirements of this paragraph must be sent directly to the Board by the supervising licensed podiatrist on a form provided by the Board. (3) Examination Requirement (a) In order to be certified pursuant to this Chapter, the applicant must successfully complete an examination approved by the Board and shall achieve a minimum score of 70. Examination scores obtained by an applicant in order to apply for certification shall be effective for five (5) years from the date that the applicant took the examination or the last part of the examination, should the examination be given in multiple parts. (b) The examination administered by the Tennessee Podiatric Medical Association (TPMA) at its annual meeting and the Podiatric Medical Assistant, Certified (PMAC) examination given by the American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistants are two (2) examinations deemed adequate to meet the requirement of subparagraph (3)(a). GENERAL RULES GOVERNING PODIATRY X-RAY OPERATORS CHAPTER 1155-03 (4) Application review, approval, denial, and interview decisions shall be governed by Rule 1155- 02-.07.