Delaware Portable X-ray Regulations

The Office of Radiation Control (ORC) oversees everything in Delaware. Their mission is to protect the health and safety of residents by regulating the use of radiation in medicine, research, and education.

They define these types of x-ray equipment as follows:

• Mobile x-ray: equipment is mounted on a permanent base with wheels or caster for moving while completely assembled. 
• Portable x-ray: equipment designed to be hand carried
• Hand-held x-ray: equipment designed to be held in the hand during operation

X-ray License in Delaware

Radiology licensing in Delaware requires a State or ARRT exam; reciprocal if other states’ licensure requirements and standards are equivalent.

Registering an X-ray Device

The ORC performs pre-operational inspections for new facilities, inspects and registers facilities that use radiation machines, registers radiation service providers, and issues certificates for administering radiation to patients, by qualifying medical and dental radiation technologists and technicians.

Regulations for Portable X-ray Equipment

Laws for portable x-ray equipment are defined by the Delaware Radiation Control Regulations. Applicable regulations include:

3.1.11 Portable or mobile x-ray equipment shall be used only for examinations where it is impractical to transfer the patient to a stationary x-ray installation.

6.6 Field limitation and alignment for mobile, portable, and stationary general-purpose x-ray systems.

• 6.6.1 Variable x-ray field limitation
• 6.6.2 Visual definition

6.13 Tube Stands for Portable X-Ray Systems. Except during veterinary field operations where it is impractical to do so, a tube stand or other mechanical support shall be used for portable x-ray systems, so that the x-ray tube housing assembly need not be hand-held during an exposure.

6.12 Radiation Exposure Control

• 6.12.3.2 Mobile and portable x-ray systems which are:
• 6.12.3.2.1 Used continuously for greater than one week in the same location, i.e., a room or suite, shall meet the requirements of Part F, subsection 6.12.3.1
• 6.12.3.2.2 Used for less than one week at the same location shall be provided with either a protective barrier at least 2 meters (6.5 feet) high for operator protection during exposures, or means shall be provided to allow the operator to be at least 2.7 meters (9 feet) from the tube housing assembly during the exposure.
• 6.12.3.2.3 Podiatry Systems. Podiatry facilities shall meet the protection requirements in Part F, subsection 6.12.3.2.2.

6.12.4 All mobile or portable x-ray systems used for veterinary work shall be provided with either a 2-meter (6.5 feet) high protective barrier for operator protection during exposures, or shall be provided with means to allow the operator to be at least 2 meters (6.5 feet) from the tube housing 

Disclaimer: The information in this document is solely for reference material. Regulations change often. To be sure of the most up-to-date laws, contact your local and state agencies.

Additional Resources

• Delaware Office of Radiation Control
• 4465 Delaware Radiation Control Regulations

Delaware Radiology License

Office of Radiation Control

Jesse Cooper Building

417 Federal St.

Dover, Delaware 19901

(302) 744-4546 or (800) 464-4357