X-ray Program

** Urgent Message about COVID19 **

  • Due to personnel working remotely because of COVID-19:
    1. Please forward all correspondence to radhealth-comments@vdh.virginia.gov
    2. Please remit payments via the Credit Card Payment site (see instructions below).

 

Susan Binkley, Interim Director of X-Ray Program

Office: (804) 864-8170

Fax: (804) 864-8175

Email: Susan.Binkley@vdh.virginia.gov

“To protect the public and occupational workers against unnecessary radiation exposure from X-ray producing machines.”

Program Overview

The X-Ray Registration, Inspection and Certification Program exists to assure quality radiographs with a safe x-ray facility environment for both the people of Virginia and the operators of the equipment. The X-ray Program registers approximately 23,500 radiation-producing devices (such as x-ray machines); sets performance criteria for them; and authorizes non-department qualified private inspectors to perform the evaluations and non-department service companies to install and repair the machines.  We also maintain a private inspector list which is available on the Directory of Private Inspectors page.

Machines must be inspected within the frequency specified in X-ray regulations.  Frequency is based on the type of machine and modality (i.e., diagnostic, therapeutic, non-medical).  Any x-ray machine that is determined to be unsafe for human use is restricted from use until the x-ray machine is repaired by a service company, and re-inspected by a Virginia  Radiological Health Specialist , or permanently removed from service. These regional radiological health specialists audit and monitor private sector inspections and perform compliance inspections of x-ray facilities.

The X-ray Protection Program works very closely with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is responsible for regulating the manufacture and installation/assembly of X-ray diagnostic machines.  States regulate the use of X-ray machines in their respective state.  The more prominent joint programs are related to mammography (MQSA) and joint surveys for evaluating patient exposures (NEXT).

Credit Card Payments

A credit card payment system for X-ray Program fees has been instituted.  Registrants may pay their registration and inspection fee payments using this system using the following link: Credit Card Payment Site.

Recent News, Information and Regulatory Actions

X-Ray Exemptions: Veterinary CT, Dual Use Human/Animal CT, Xstahl RADiant, Handhelds, Gonadal Shielding, Sensus SRT-100, Veterinary HVL, Veterinary Light Field Luminance, Particle Accelerator Control Access, Non-Medical Private Inspectors and Patient Viewing.

Revision to Notice of Employees: Please be advised that the “Notice to Employees” form was revised 3/2019 and is available on the X-ray Forms page.

February 7, 2019: X-Ray Fees Increase:  Fees charged for X-ray machine registrations, X-ray machine inspections and shielding reviews performed by the Virginia Department of Health increased as of February 7, 2019.   This increase followed the culmination of a final public comment period for 12VAC5-490, “X-ray and Radioactive Material Fees,” as published in the Virginia Register of Regulations (Volume 35, Issue 10).  The new fees are available on the following page:  X-ray Program Fee Schedule.

June 5, 2016: Therapeutic Radiation Machine Regulations Updated: 12VAC5-481-3380 through 3450 became effective June 5, 2016.  Virginia’s Radiation Protection Regulations, Part XV, Therapeutic Radiation Machines have been updated to include a section on Electronic Brachytherapy.  These changes are provided on the X-Ray Regulations page.

December 4, 2015: In November 16th Virginia Register of Regulations, a Notice of Intended Regulatory Action (NOIRA) was published for 12VAC5-490 “Virginia Radiation Protection Regulations – Fee Schedule”. This NOIRA is for: (i) amending registration fees for equipment inspected every three years; (ii) adding three categories and associated fees for the registration of non-medical x-ray equipment, such as baggage, cabinet and analytical, and industrial x-ray equipment, and (iii) establish associated inspection frequencies. The comment period expires on December 16th. To access the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall webpage, use the following hyperlink: 12VAC5-490 NOIRA. If you have any questions please contact Lea Perlas at 804-864-8170 or Lea Perlas email.

August 27, 2015: ORH amended specific sections of our regulations related to x-ray and therapy equipment. The following sections were amended:

      • 12VAC5-481-10 : Definitions. Some definitions have been added, removed, or modified.
      • 12VAC5-481-290 : Registration of radiation machine facilities. A sentence has been added.
      • 12VAC5-481-340 : Private Inspector qualifications. A sentence has been added.
      • 12VAC5-481-350 : Assembler or transfer obligations. A sentence has been added.
      • 12VAC5-481-1580 thru 1657 : Part VI Use of Diagnostic X-rays in the Healing Arts. The entire section has been replaced.
      • 12VAC5-481-2110 : Area requirement. Inspection frequency was changed.
      • 12VAC5-481-3410 : Quality management program. Wording was inserted for misadministration and reportable event.

Radiation regulations can be found at the Virginia Legislative Information System (LIS)

 

Office of Radiological Health | 109 Governor Street,  7th Floor | Richmond, VA  23219

Telephone (804) 864-8150 | X-ray Fax: (804) 864-8175