INDUSTRIAL RADIOGRAPHER CERTIFICATION Bridget D. Stephens Department of State Health Services August 2011 1 OTHER CERTIFYING ENTITIES ASNT Alabama Georgia Illinois Iowa Louisiana Maine North Dakota Oklahoma 2 THROUGH JUNE 2011… Created 436 exams Conducted 418 exam sessions Tested 17,265 individuals Issued 10,000+ certifications 3 THROUGH JUNE 2011… Provided 8,346 exams to other certifying entities 4 TYPES OF CERTIFICATIONS Radioactive Materials Only X-Ray Machines Only Combination (RAM and X-Ray) 5 CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS 40-hour radiation safety course On-the-Job Training – 200 hours or at least 1 year RAM – 120 hours or at least 1 year X-Ray – 320 hours or at least 1 year Combination Pass agency-administered exam 6 EXAM SUBJECTS Fundamentals of radiation safety Radiation detection instrumentation Radiographic equipment State and federal regulations Generic written operating, safety and emergency procedures 7 EXAM INFORMATION 125 QUESTIONS 100 QUESTIONS • Count towards the score • Passing score is 70 and up 25 QUESTIONS – PROVISIONAL • Do not count for or against score • Texas is field testing for validity • Randomly distributed throughout examination 8 EXAM INFORMATION Number of Applicants Texas Exam Information (2007-2011) 2000 1500 1000 500 0 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Dec-07 Dec-08 Dec-09 Dec-10 Dec-11 # Expected 1000 1213 917 785 528 # Available 990 1228 1458 1200 746 Exam Registration = 79% Capacity 9 EXAM FAILURE RATE Number of Applicants Texas Exam Failure Rate Information (2007-2011) 1500 1000 500 0 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Dec-07 Dec-08 Dec-09 Dec-10 Dec-11 # Failures 243 428 252 230 118 # Applicants Testing 780 1034 819 714 528 Failure Rate = 32.8% 10 EXAM FEE $120.00 Application - BRC Form 255 (Rev. 03/11) 11 EXAM INFORMATION... 2012 exam schedule to be mailed 10/01/11 to: – Texas licensees, registrants and certifying entities – Reciprocity companies 12 TRAINEE QUALIFICATION Fax is fastest! No changes to procedures Application BRC Form 255-E (Rev. 06/10) 13 TRAINEE QUALIFICATION REMEMBER!! – On-the-job training hours count AFTER trainee status is documented and received by the certifying entity 14 RADIOGRAPHER QUALIFICATION Application - BRC Form 255-R (Rev. 08/10) - Hours Application - BRC Form 255-OS (Rev. 08/10) - Years Certification fee of $110.00 must accompany each of these forms NO FAXES ACCEPTED!! 15 RADIOGRAPHER QUALIFICATION Mail to : DSHS Radioactive Material Licensing – MC 2003 P.O. Box 149347 Austin, TX 78714-9347 16 TRAINER QUALIFICATION Application - BRC Form 255-T (Rev. 03/10) Document at least 1 year experience as a certified radiographer in RAM, X-RAY or BOTH No fee 17 Radiographer Trainer Status Since April 2009, Industrial Radiographer Trainers that have passed the Texas certification exam have been issued a Certification ID card that indicates their individual trainer status 18 Radiographer Trainer ID Card 19 Radiographer Trainer ID Card (Reciprocity) A radiographer with a card issued by another state or jurisdiction and who has been verified as a current trainer, will be issued a card authorizing the individual to act as a radiographer trainer in Texas ID card will contain no photo and must be used in conjunction with the individual’s current card issued by the other state or jurisdiction 20 Radiographer Trainer ID Card (Reciprocity) Expiration date of the Texas trainer ID card will be the same as the current ID card issued by the other state or jurisdiction 21 Radiographer Trainer ID Card (Reciprocity) 22 CARD EXPIRATION Card expires 5 years from date documentation review is completed and card is issued 23 CARD EXPIRATION A worker may carry expired ID card in lieu of trainee status card, and work as a trainee until a new card is received 24 CARD REPLACEMENT Replacement cards cost $35.00 25 RENEWALS… Renewing a certification costs $120.00 26 IR WEBSITE http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/radiation Exam Schedule, Information and Forms Certification Requirements Other Accepted Radiographer Certifications Radiographer Certification Contact Numbers 27 QUESTIONS? 28