Industrial radiography equipment, sealed sources and storage practice questions
20 free practice questions from 10 CFR 34.20 to 34.35. Each answer is explained and linked to the rule it comes from.
Industrial radiography equipment, sealed sources and storage
20 questions across 8 topics. After each answer you see why it is right, with a link to the official source.
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Equipment performance and labels
1. Under 34.20(b)(1), which item must the label attached to each radiographic exposure device bear?
- A. The name of the radiographer to whom the device is assigned
- B. The licensee's name, address, and telephone number
- C. The date of the last leak test of the sealed source
- D. The date of the last quarterly inventory
Show answer
Answer: B. The licensee's name, address, and telephone number
The licensee must ensure each radiographic exposure device has "a durable, legible, clearly visible label" that includes the "Licensee's name, address, and telephone number."
2. Under 34.20(b)(3), when is modification of radiographic exposure devices, source changers, source assemblies and associated equipment allowed?
- A. When the Radiation Safety Officer approves the modification in writing
- B. When the equipment has been out of service for more than 3 months
- C. When the modification is made at a permanent radiographic installation
- D. When the design of any replacement component would not compromise the design safety features of the system
Show answer
Answer: D. When the design of any replacement component would not compromise the design safety features of the system
Modification "is prohibited, unless the design of any replacement component,including source holder, source assembly, controls or guide tubes would not compromise the design safety features of the system."
3. Under 34.20(c)(3), when must the safety plugs or covers on the outlet fittings, lock box and drive cable fittings of each radiographic exposure device be installed?
- A. During storage and transportation
- B. Only while a radiographic exposure is being made
- C. Only at temporary job sites
- D. Only when the device is inside a permanent radiographic installation
Show answer
Answer: A. During storage and transportation
These fittings "must be equipped with safety plugs or covers which must be installed during storage and transportation to protect the source assembly from water, mud, sand or other foreign matter."
4. To save time on a short shot, a radiographer proposes cranking the source out of the exposure device without connecting a guide tube. What does 34.20(c)(6) require?
- A. A guide tube is needed only at temporary job sites
- B. A guide tube is needed only when a collimator is not used
- C. Guide tubes must be used when moving the source out of the device
- D. A guide tube is needed only for exposures longer than one minute
Show answer
Answer: C. Guide tubes must be used when moving the source out of the device
34.20(c)(6): "Guide tubes must be used when moving the source out of the device."
5. Under 34.20(c)(7), what must be attached to the outermost end of the guide tube during industrial radiography operations?
- A. A safety plug that is removed only after the exposure is complete
- B. A survey instrument probe
- C. An exposure head or similar device designed to prevent the source assembly from passing out of the end of the guide tube
- D. A lock box with the key removed
Show answer
Answer: C. An exposure head or similar device designed to prevent the source assembly from passing out of the end of the guide tube
The rule requires that "An exposure head or similar device designed to prevent the source assembly from passing out of the end of the guide tube must be attached to the outermost end of the guide tube during industrial radiography operations."
Radiation limits and locking
6. For which equipment does 34.21 set maximum exposure rate limits at any exterior surface and at 1 meter from any exterior surface?
- A. Storage containers and source changers
- B. Guide tubes and collimators
- C. Transport vehicles and field station buildings
- D. Survey meters and alarm ratemeters
Show answer
Answer: A. Storage containers and source changers
34.21: "The maximum exposure rate limits for storage containers and source changers are 2 millisieverts (200 millirem) per hour at any exterior surface, and 0.1 millisieverts (10 millirem) per hour at 1 meter from any exterior surface with the sealed source in the shielded position."
7. During radiographic operations at a jobsite, a radiographer cranks the source back into the exposure device between shots. What does 34.23(a) require each time the source is returned to the shielded position?
- A. The device must be moved into a storage area
- B. The radiographer must make a new utilization log entry
- C. The key must be handed to the radiographer's assistant
- D. The sealed source assembly must be secured in the shielded position
Show answer
Answer: D. The sealed source assembly must be secured in the shielded position
34.23(a): "In addition, during radiographic operations the sealed source assembly must be secured in the shielded position each time the source is returned to that position."
8. Under 34.23(b), what must each sealed source storage container and source changer have?
- A. A visible and audible alarm that sounds when it is opened
- B. A lock or outer locked container designed to prevent unauthorized or accidental removal of the sealed source from its shielded position
- C. A survey meter fastened to its exterior
- D. A seal that only the NRC may break
Show answer
Answer: B. A lock or outer locked container designed to prevent unauthorized or accidental removal of the sealed source from its shielded position
34.23(b): "Each sealed source storage container and source changer must have a lock or outer locked container designed to prevent unauthorized or accidental removal of the sealed source from its shielded position."
Survey instruments
9. An RSO reviews the calibration report for a required radiation survey instrument that has a linear scale. Under 34.25(b)(2), at which points must each scale have been calibrated?
- A. At two points located approximately one-third and two-thirds of full-scale
- B. At mid-range of each decade only
- C. At a single point at full-scale
- D. At 3 points between 0.02 and 10 millisieverts (2 and 1000 millirems) per hour
Show answer
Answer: A. At two points located approximately one-third and two-thirds of full-scale
34.25(b)(2) requires calibration "For linear scale instruments, at two points located approximately one-third and two-thirds of full-scale on each scale"; the mid-range and 3-point rules are for logarithmic and digital instruments.
Source: eCFR: 10 CFR 34.25, Radiation survey instruments (as of Nov 4, 2026)
10. Under 34.25(a), where must the licensee keep sufficient calibrated and operable radiation survey instruments?
- A. Only at the licensee's main office
- B. At each location where radioactive material is present
- C. Only at permanent radiographic installations
- D. Only in each vehicle that carries a radiographic exposure device
Show answer
Answer: B. At each location where radioactive material is present
The licensee "shall keep sufficient calibrated and operable radiation survey instruments at each location where radioactive material is present to make the radiation surveys required by this part and by 10 CFR part 20 of this chapter."
Source: eCFR: 10 CFR 34.25, Radiation survey instruments (as of Nov 4, 2026)
11. Under 34.25(b)(1), besides calibration at intervals not to exceed 6 months, when must each required radiation survey instrument be calibrated?
- A. After every battery change
- B. After each use at a temporary job site
- C. After each radiographic exposure
- D. After instrument servicing, except for battery changes
Show answer
Answer: D. After instrument servicing, except for battery changes
Each required instrument must be calibrated "At intervals not to exceed 6 months and after instrument servicing, except for battery changes".
Source: eCFR: 10 CFR 34.25, Radiation survey instruments (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Leak testing, sealed sources and inventory
12. A licensee takes the wipe sample for a sealed source leak test under 34.27(c)(1). From where should the wipe sample be taken?
- A. From the outside of the transport vehicle
- B. From the operator's gloves after handling the device
- C. From the nearest accessible point to the sealed source where contamination might accumulate
- D. From the crank end of the control cable
Show answer
Answer: C. From the nearest accessible point to the sealed source where contamination might accumulate
34.27(c)(1): "The wipe sample should be taken from the nearest accessible point to the sealed source where contamination might accumulate."
Source: eCFR: 10 CFR 34.27, Leak testing and replacement of sealed sources (as of Nov 4, 2026)
13. A licensee receives a sealed source from another licensee. Under 34.27(c)(3), what lets the licensee use it before having it tested for leakage?
- A. A label on the source with the words “DANGER—RADIOACTIVE”
- B. A certificate from the transferor that shows it has been leak tested within 6 months before the transfer
- C. An entry for the source in the transferor's utilization log
- D. A record that the source was counted in the transferor's last quarterly inventory
Show answer
Answer: B. A certificate from the transferor that shows it has been leak tested within 6 months before the transfer
"Unless a sealed source is accompanied by a certificate from the transferor that shows that it has been leak tested within 6 months before the transfer, it may not be used by the licensee until tested for leakage."
Source: eCFR: 10 CFR 34.27, Leak testing and replacement of sealed sources (as of Nov 4, 2026)
14. A licensee needs to replace a decayed sealed source in one of its radiographic exposure devices. Under 34.27(a), who may perform the replacement of a sealed source fastened to or contained in a radiographic exposure device?
- A. Persons authorized to do so by the NRC or an Agreement State
- B. Any radiographer, once the RSO has been told by phone
- C. Any radiographer's assistant working with a second qualified individual
- D. The customer's maintenance staff at the jobsite
Show answer
Answer: A. Persons authorized to do so by the NRC or an Agreement State
34.27(a): "The replacement of any sealed source fastened to or contained in a radiographic exposure device and leak testing of any sealed source must be performed by persons authorized to do so by the NRC or an Agreement State."
Source: eCFR: 10 CFR 34.27, Leak testing and replacement of sealed sources (as of Nov 4, 2026)
15. An evaluation of a depleted uranium (DU) shielded exposure device finds that its S-tube is worn through. What does 34.27(e) state?
- A. The device may be used again once the S-tube is cleaned
- B. The device may be used only at a permanent radiographic installation
- C. The device may not be used again
- D. The device may be used again after it passes a second DU contamination test
Show answer
Answer: C. The device may not be used again
"Should the evaluation reveal that the S-tube is worn through, the device may not be used again."
Source: eCFR: 10 CFR 34.27, Leak testing and replacement of sealed sources (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Daily checks, inspection and maintenance
16. During the daily checks under 34.31(a), how must survey instrument operability be performed?
- A. By sending the instrument to the manufacturer
- B. By comparing its reading with a co-worker's pocket dosimeter
- C. By reading the activity shown on the exposure device label
- D. Using check sources or other appropriate means
Show answer
Answer: D. Using check sources or other appropriate means
34.31(a): "Survey instrument operability must be performed using check sources or other appropriate means."
Permanent radiographic installations
17. Which is one of the options 34.33(a) gives for each entrance used for personnel access to the high radiation area in a permanent radiographic installation?
- A. A conspicuous visible warning signal by itself
- B. A radiographer's assistant posted at the entrance
- C. A locked door whose key is held by the Radiation Safety Officer
- D. Both conspicuous visible and audible warning signals to warn of the presence of radiation
Show answer
Answer: D. Both conspicuous visible and audible warning signals to warn of the presence of radiation
Each such entrance must have either an entrance control described in the rule or "Both conspicuous visible and audible warning signals to warn of the presence of radiation."
Source: eCFR: 10 CFR 34.33, Permanent radiographic installations (as of Nov 4, 2026)
18. A permanent radiographic installation uses visible and audible warning signals at its personnel entrance. Under 34.33(a)(2), when must the audible signal be actuated?
- A. When an attempt is made to enter the installation while the source is exposed
- B. Only when the visible signal fails
- C. Each time the source is returned to the shielded position
- D. Only after the source has been exposed for more than one minute
Show answer
Answer: A. When an attempt is made to enter the installation while the source is exposed
34.33(a)(2): "The visible signal must be actuated by radiation whenever the source is exposed. The audible signal must be actuated when an attempt is made to enter the installation while the source is exposed."
Source: eCFR: 10 CFR 34.33, Permanent radiographic installations (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Labeling, storage and transportation
19. Under 34.35(d), what must the licensee do with the transport package containing licensed material in the transporting vehicle?
- A. Keep it in the passenger compartment
- B. Keep it under the direct surveillance of a radiographer's assistant for the whole trip
- C. Lock and physically secure it in the vehicle
- D. Keep it unlocked so it can be checked during the trip
Show answer
Answer: C. Lock and physically secure it in the vehicle
"The licensee shall lock and physically secure the transport package containing licensed material in the transporting vehicle to prevent accidental loss, tampering, or unauthorized removal of the licensed material from the vehicle."
Source: eCFR: 10 CFR 34.35, Labeling, storage, and transportation (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Equipment and source records
20. Under 34.67, in what units must leak test results for sealed sources and devices containing DU be stated?
- A. Millisieverts (millirem) per hour
- B. Becquerels (microcuries)
- C. Grays (rads)
- D. Counts per minute
Show answer
Answer: B. Becquerels (microcuries)
For leak test records, "The results must be stated in units of becquerels (microcuries)."