Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors

There have been a number of new NRC orders that impact unescorted access to Category 1 and 2 materials such as gamma knife and blood irradiators. Fingerprinting and FBI background checks must now be done. In addition, 10 C.F.R. Part 35 requires that a preceptor statement be signed by an individual that is an Authorized medical Physicist, Radiation Safety Officer, Authorized User or Authorized Nuclear Pharmacist. Recently the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued findings against signors of preceptor statement for falsifying information. This session will address the liabilities of medical physicists in signing preceptor states, in serving as the “trustworthy and reliable” official for a license in determining unescorted access. It will address differences in non‐agreement states and agreement states.Finally, the AAPM has a policy statement that states: in essence to practice medical physics you must have a masters or Ph.D. and be board certified in one of the disciplines of medical physics. There are four states that required licensure of medical physicists for a number of years. The final talk in this session will look at whether or not having licensure has made a difference in the quality of medical physics practiced and the ramifications of the new Part 35 requirements for training and experience.

Late in 1971, the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors foresaw the need to consider recommend-ing Suggested State Regulations for Lasers (SSRL) for uniform adoption by all states. This was occasioned by requests from many states who were finding an increased usage of lasers without commensurate effective controls. The committee orignally consisted of F. J. Bradley, New York; William Bryan, Colorado; Joseph F. Thiel, Texas; and Jack C. Rogers, California. Following Wm. Bryan's retirement he asked to be dropped from the committee. The committee's task was to develop a conceptual draft for the Conference to accept and submit to the states for consideration as their regulatory requirements on laser usage. Because of the interest of other agencies in this issue (Federal and other) contact was maintained with such agencies as OSHA, NIOSH, FDA-Bureau of Radiological Health, ANSI Committee Z136.1, as well as with individuals and interested organizations.