How to Get Your California Fluoroscopy License: A Complete Guide
How to Get Your California Fluoroscopy License: A Complete Guide on California Fluoroscopy permit
Looking to apply for your California fluoroscopy license? New regulations announced by the California Department of Public Health, Radiologic Health Branch (CDPH-RHB) mean that you might be eligible to apply for your California fluoroscopy permit without having to take the California fluoroscopy exam administered by the ARRT® organization. These new rules have split the application process into two separate paths, so we have developed this easy-to-follow guide to help you find out if you’re eligible to skip the test, what path you need to follow to get your permit, and what additional CE requirements CRTs with a fluoroscopy license are required to complete.
- Why did the CDPH-RHB get rid of the exam (for some CRTs)?
- Eligibility: Who gets to skip the California fluoroscopy exam?
- How do I get a California fluoroscopy license?
- Continuing Education (CE) Requirements for CRTs with A California Fluoroscopy License
We’ll start with explaining the new regulations first.
Why did the CDPH-RHB get rid of the fluoroscopy exam (for some CRTs)?
Recently, the CDPH-RHB announced new regulations regarding the California fluoroscopy exam. The long and short of it is that radiologic technologists practicing in California who meet specific criteria are exempt from taking the exam as part of the application process for a California fluoroscopy license.
But why?
This decision was a result of the findings of a subcommittee made up of representatives of ARRT® and Radiologic Technology School Program Directors. The subcommittee was tasked with evaluating how well the ARRT® Radiography examination measured fluoroscopy competence and if a separate fluoroscopy exam was really needed in order for applicants to demonstrate competence in fluoroscopy.
The subcommittee found that applicants who took and passed the ARRT® Radiography exam on or after January 1, 2011 and who also hold a current California Diagnostic Technologist Certificate demonstrated sufficient competency in fluoroscopy, and so these applicants do not need to take the fluoroscopy exam in order to get a permit.
Eligibility: Who gets to skip the California fluoroscopy exam?
Now, for the part you’re really interested in: Who has to take the exam and who doesn’t?
- Graduated on or after January 1, 2011 from a diagnostic radiologic technology program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) AND received a passing score on the ARRT® Radiography examination
- OR
- You received your ARRT® certification in Radiography on or after January 1, 2011 AND are currently registered with the ARRT® organization
Radiologic technologists who do not meet either of these criteria must take the fluoroscopy exam in order to apply for a fluoroscopy permit.
How do I get a California fluoroscopy license?
With the new regulations, there are now two separate procedures for applying for a California fluoroscopy permit. We will address each one in turn.
How to Get a California Fluoroscopy License If You’re NOT Required to Take the Exam
If you meet the requirements to skip the California fluoroscopy exam, you will submit your application using the Radiologic Technologist Fluoroscopy Permit Application – Examination Not Required Form CDPH 8228. You can download that form on the CDPH-RHB website here.
What You’ll Need For Your Application
- You current California Diagnostic Radiologic Technology Certificate Number
- OR
- A copy of your completed application for your California Diagnostic Radiologic Technology Certificate AND a copy of your ARRT® Certificate in Radiography
- Proof that you graduated on or after January 1, 2011 a diagnostic radiologic technology program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) AND proof that you received a passing score on the ARRT® Radiography examination
- OR
- Proof that you received your ARRT® Certification in Radiography on or after January 1, 2011 AND proof that you are a current ARRT® Registrant.
How much does it cost to apply for a California fluoroscopy license?
The fee for applying for the California fluoroscopy permit is $112.00, payable to the CDPH-RHB by check or money order. You’ll need to include the fee with your application.
Okay, I’ve submitted my application with the Examination Not Required form. What next?
Once you mail your application, supporting documents, and application fee off to the CDPH-RHB, you’ll hear back from them within 30 days of the day they receive your application to inform you if your application is complete, or if it is unacceptable for filing and what you need to do next.
How to Get a California Fluoroscopy License If You Are Required to Take the Exam
For RTs who are not eligible to skip the exam, you’ll follow a different procedure. You’ll need to fill out an entirely different form: the Radiologic Technologist Fluoroscopy Permit Application – Examination Required Form CDPH 8218, available on the CDPH-RHB website here.
- You current California Diagnostic Radiologic Technology Certificate Number
- OR
- A copy of your completed application for your California Diagnostic Radiologic Technology Certificate AND a copy of your ARRT® Certificate in Radiography
- A copy of your diploma or certificate from a radiologic technologist fluoroscopy school approved by the CDPH-RHB
- OR
- Proof that you graduated from a diagnostic radiologic technology program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) AND proof that you received a passing score on the ARRT® Radiography examination
- OR
- Proof that you received your ARRT® Certification in Radiography on or before January 1, 2011 AND proof that you are a current ARRT® Registrant.
How much does it cost to apply for a California fluoroscopy license?
The cost of the application for a California fluoroscopy permit for those who have to take the examination is the same as for those who don’t: $112.00, payable to the CDPH-RHB by check or money order. You’ll need to include the fee with your application.
Okay, I’ve submitted my application with the Examination Required form. What next?
Once you mail your application off to the CDPH-RHB, you’ll hear back from them within 30 days of the day they received your application. If your application is complete and acceptable, you’ll receive instructions for registering for the California fluoroscopy exam. Otherwise, they will inform you that your application is not acceptable for filing and what you need to do next.
Continuing Education (CE) Requirements for CRTs with a California Fluoroscopy License
Once you get your California fluoroscopy permit, whether you took the fluoroscopy exam or not, you will need to complete specific continuing education (CE) requirements in order to maintain your permit.
You are required to earn 24 CE credits every two years, but now with your fluoroscopy permit, 4 of those CE credits must be in radiation safety for the clinical uses of fluoroscopy.
Wrapping Up!
Getting your California fluoroscopy license is now a simpler process than ever before (if you meet the new requirements to skip the California fluoroscopy exam, that is). We hope this guide has helped simplify the application process for you, and we wish you luck in pursuing your fluoroscopy permit!
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