SB64 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

William “Bill” M. BeasleySenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Health of personnel performing radiologic imaging on radiation therapy, licensing and reg. by Radiation Control Agency of Public Health Dept. civil penalties, advisory bd. estab.

Summary

SB64 would create a state licensing and regulatory system for Alabama health care personnel who perform radiologic imaging or radiation therapy.

What This Bill Does

It sets up a licensing framework via the State Radiation Control Agency, including a Radiologic Imaging and Radiation Therapy Advisory Committee to guide rules and scope. It requires licensure for most radiologic imaging and therapy work after January 1, 2022, with licenses issued to individuals certified by recognized certification organizations. The act imposes civil penalties for violations, creates a dedicated fund for program costs, and includes transitional provisions and exemptions for certain groups while establishing how licenses and renewals will work.

Who It Affects

• Health care personnel who perform radiologic imaging or radiation therapy: must obtain licensure, be certified by recognized organizations, and comply with supervision and practice standards.
• Health care employers and facilities: must verify that staff performing imaging or therapy are licensed and comply with licensure rules; cannot knowingly employ unlicensed personnel; staff must be supervised by licensed practitioners.
• Current practitioners without certification: may continue practicing if they register with the agency by 2022, do not change current scope or employer, complete required continuing education biennially, work under supervision, and obtain a license by 2025.
• Dental professionals: dental hygienists or dental assistants who are already licensed are exempt from certain requirements.
• Military personnel and spouses: the act provides for license issuance or recognition under special provisions.

Key Provisions

• After January 1, 2022, only licensed individuals or licensed practitioners may perform radiologic imaging or radiation therapy on humans for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
• Licenses will be issued to persons certified by a certification organization recognized by the board, covering nuclear medicine technology, radiation therapy, radiography, and limited x-ray machine operators; the agency sets licensure standards and may recognize out-of-state licenses.
• The State Radiation Control Agency must establish the Radiologic Imaging and Radiation Therapy Advisory Committee to guide scope of practice, licensure rules, license issuance, fees, examinations, and recognition of certification organizations; a dedicated fund is created to support the act.
• Civil penalties for violations are allowed, up to $200 per violation, with penalties deposited into the Radiologic Imaging and Radiation Therapy Fund.
• The act includes transition provisions allowing current practitioners without certification to continue practicing under certain conditions until January 1, 2025, pending licensure and compliance.
• The act provides exemptions for certain groups (e.g., dental personnel and designated trainees) and establishes areas for limited x-ray operator licensure (e.g., chest, extremity, spine, skull, podiatric radiography, and bone densitometry) with possible certification alternatives.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Health