468.302  Use of radiation; identification of certified persons; limitations; exceptions.--

(1)  Except as hereinafter provided, no person shall use radiation on a human being unless he or she:

(a)  Is a licensed practitioner; or

(b)  Is the holder of a certificate, as provided in this part, and is operating under the direct supervision or general supervision of a licensed practitioner in each particular case.

(2)(a)  A person holding a certificate as a basic X-ray machine operator may use the title "Basic X-ray Machine Operator."

(b)  A person holding a certificate as a basic X-ray machine operator-podiatric medicine may use the title "Basic X-ray Machine Operator-Podiatric Medicine."

(c)  A person holding a certificate as a general radiographer may use the title "Certified Radiologic Technologist-Radiographer" or the letters "CRT-R" after his or her name.

(d)  A person holding a certificate as a limited computed tomography technologist may use the title "Certified Radiologic Technologist-Computed Tomography" or the letters "CRT-C" after his or her name.

(e)  A person holding a certificate as a radiation therapy technologist may use the title "Certified Radiologic Technologist-Therapy" or the letters "CRT-T" after his or her name.

(f)  A person holding a certificate as a nuclear medicine technologist may use the title "Certified Radiologic Technologist-Nuclear Medicine" or the letters "CRT-N" after his or her name.

No other person is entitled to so use a title or letters contained in this subsection or to hold himself or herself out in any way, whether orally or in writing, expressly or by implication, as being so certified.

(3)(a)  A person holding a certificate as a basic X-ray machine operator may perform general diagnostic radiographic and general fluoroscopic procedures, specifically excluding nuclear medicine and radiation therapy procedures, under the direct supervision and control of a licensed practitioner in that practitioner's office or in a hospital pursuant to paragraph (b). A basic X-ray machine operator may participate in additional approved programs as provided by rule of the department.

(b)  A basic X-ray machine operator or basic X-ray machine operator-podiatric medicine may not practice radiologic technology in walk-in emergency centers, freestanding breast clinics, freestanding cancer clinics, state mental hospitals, state correctional institutions, or in any facility regulated under chapter 390, chapter 392, chapter 393, chapter 394, or chapter 641. For a facility licensed under chapter 395, a basic X-ray machine operator may only perform the procedures specified in paragraph (a) in a hospital with a capacity of 150 beds or less. If such a hospital has or acquires radiographic or fluoroscopic equipment other than general diagnostic radiographic and general fluoroscopic equipment, that hospital shall keep a record documenting which personnel performed each radiographic or fluoroscopic procedure. For purposes of this paragraph, a walk-in emergency center shall not include a physician-operated walk-in clinic which operates with or without appointments and with extended hours and which does not hold itself out to the public as an emergency center.

(c)  A person holding a certificate as a basic X-ray machine operator-podiatric medicine may perform only podiatric radiographic procedures under the direct supervision and control of a licensed podiatric physician.

(d)  A person holding a certificate as a general radiographer may not perform nuclear medicine and radiation therapy procedures. A general radiographer may participate in additional approved programs as provided by rule of the department.

(e)  A person holding a certificate as a limited computed tomography technologist may perform only diagnostic computed tomography examinations.

(f)  A person holding a certificate as a radiation therapy technologist may administer only X radiation and ionizing radiation emitted from particle accelerators and external beam teletherapy from sealed sources of radioactive material to human beings for therapeutic or simulation purposes.

(g)  A person holding a certificate as a nuclear medicine technologist may only conduct in vivo and in vitro measurements of radioactivity and administer radiopharmaceuticals to human beings for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. However, the authority of a nuclear medicine technologist excludes radioimmunoassay and other clinical laboratory testing regulated pursuant to chapter 483.

(4)  A person holding a certificate as a radiologic technologist may only use radiation or radiation-producing equipment on human beings for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes while operating, in each particular case, under the general supervision of a licensed practitioner and only if the application of radiation is limited to those persons or parts of the human body specified in the law under which the practitioner is licensed.

(5)  Nothing contained in this part relating to radiologic technology shall be construed to limit, enlarge, or affect in any respect the practice by duly licensed practitioners of their respective professions.

(6)  Requirement for certification does not apply to:

(a)  A hospital resident who is not a licensed practitioner in this state or a student enrolled in and attending a school or college of medicine, osteopathic medicine, chiropody, podiatric medicine, or chiropractic medicine or a radiologic technology educational program and who applies radiation to a human being while under the direct supervision of a licensed practitioner.

(b)  A person who is engaged in performing the duties of a radiologic technologist in his or her employment by a governmental agency of the United States.

(c)  A person who is trained and skilled in cardiopulmonary technology and who provides cardiopulmonary technology services at the direction, and under the direct supervision, of a licensed practitioner.

(7)  A person who is licensed pursuant to chapter 483 to perform nuclear medicine procedures is not required to be certificated under this part, provided such person does not perform any other procedures regulated under this part.