Industrial radiography operations, monitoring, surveys and posting practice questions
20 free practice questions from 10 CFR 34.41 to 34.53. Each answer is explained and linked to the rule it comes from.
Industrial radiography operations, monitoring, surveys and posting
20 questions across 7 topics. After each answer you see why it is right, with a link to the official source.
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Special operations, surveillance and posting
1. Under 34.41(c), a licensee may conduct lay-barge, offshore platform, or underwater radiography only if what condition is met?
- A. The radiography is performed inside a permanent radiographic installation
- B. Procedures have been approved by the Commission or by an Agreement State
- C. The Radiation Safety Officer is personally present on the barge or platform
- D. Each exposure is limited to one sealed source per workday
Show answer
Answer: B. Procedures have been approved by the Commission or by an Agreement State
34.41(c) says a licensee may conduct this work "only if procedures have been approved by the Commission or by an Agreement State."
Source: eCFR: 10 CFR 34.41, Conducting industrial radiographic operations (as of Nov 4, 2026)
2. Under 34.51, the radiographer or the other individual present maintains continuous direct visual surveillance of each radiographic operation. What is this surveillance to protect against?
- A. Theft of the film after it is exposed
- B. Damage to the guide tube from vehicle traffic
- C. Weather damage to the equipment
- D. Unauthorized entry into a high radiation area
Show answer
Answer: D. Unauthorized entry into a high radiation area
34.51: the surveillance is maintained "to protect against unauthorized entry into a high radiation area, as defined in 10 CFR part 20 of this chapter".
Source: eCFR: 10 CFR 34.51, Surveillance (as of Nov 4, 2026)
3. 34.51 makes an exception to the continuous direct visual surveillance requirement for which locations?
- A. Permanent radiographic installations where all entryways are locked and the requirements of 34.33 are met
- B. Temporary job sites where the area boundary has been roped off and posted
- C. Field stations where two qualified individuals are present
- D. Any location where the operation lasts less than one hour
Show answer
Answer: A. Permanent radiographic installations where all entryways are locked and the requirements of 34.33 are met
The surveillance duty applies "except at permanent radiographic installations where all entryways are locked and the requirements of § 34.33 are met."
Source: eCFR: 10 CFR 34.51, Surveillance (as of Nov 4, 2026)
4. What does 34.53 say about the posting exceptions listed in 10 CFR 20.1903?
- A. They apply only at permanent radiographic installations
- B. They apply when the area is under continuous direct visual surveillance
- C. They do not apply to industrial radiographic operations
- D. They apply if the Radiation Safety Officer approves them in writing
Show answer
Answer: C. They do not apply to industrial radiographic operations
34.53 says "Exceptions listed in § 20.1903 of this chapter do not apply to industrial radiographic operations."
Operating and emergency procedures
5. Under 34.45(a)(12), when must operating and emergency procedures include a source recovery procedure?
- A. If the licensee will perform source recovery
- B. Only when radiography is performed underwater
- C. Only at permanent radiographic installations
- D. Whenever the licensee employs radiographers' assistants
Show answer
Answer: A. If the licensee will perform source recovery
34.45(a)(12) lists a "Source recovery procedure if licensee will perform source recovery".
Source: eCFR: 10 CFR 34.45, Operating and emergency procedures (as of Nov 4, 2026)
6. A radiographer's alarm ratemeter alarms unexpectedly at a job site. Under 34.45(a)(8), what must the operating and emergency procedures contain for this event?
- A. A form the RSO must sign within 30 days
- B. The name of the company that calibrates the ratemeter
- C. Steps that must be taken immediately by radiography personnel
- D. A schedule for replacing the ratemeter's battery
Show answer
Answer: C. Steps that must be taken immediately by radiography personnel
The procedures must include "Steps that must be taken immediately by radiography personnel in the event a pocket dosimeter is found to be off-scale or an alarm ratemeter alarms unexpectedly."
Source: eCFR: 10 CFR 34.45, Operating and emergency procedures (as of Nov 4, 2026)
7. Which two accident-related instructions does 34.45(a) require in operating and emergency procedures?
- A. Estimating property damage and filing an insurance claim
- B. Preparing a press release and notifying nearby residents
- C. Disciplining the personnel involved and retraining them
- D. Notifying proper persons and minimizing exposure of persons in the event of an accident
Show answer
Answer: D. Notifying proper persons and minimizing exposure of persons in the event of an accident
34.45(a) lists "The procedure for notifying proper persons in the event of an accident" and "Minimizing exposure of persons in the event of an accident".
Source: eCFR: 10 CFR 34.45, Operating and emergency procedures (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Wearing and reading dosimeters
8. Two radiographers who work different shifts suggest sharing one personnel dosimeter. What does 34.47(a)(2) require?
- A. Sharing is allowed if the shifts do not overlap
- B. Each personnel dosimeter must be assigned to and worn only by one individual
- C. Sharing is allowed if the RSO records who wore it each day
- D. Sharing is allowed for film badges only
Show answer
Answer: B. Each personnel dosimeter must be assigned to and worn only by one individual
34.47(a)(2): "Each personnel dosimeter must be assigned to and worn only by one individual."
Source: eCFR: 10 CFR 34.47, Personnel monitoring (as of Nov 4, 2026)
9. 34.47(a) lists three items each radiographer wears during radiographic operations. At a permanent radiography installation where other appropriate alarming or warning devices are in routine use, which item does the rule say the radiographer is exempt from wearing?
- A. A direct reading dosimeter
- B. A personnel dosimeter
- C. None of the three; the rule gives no exemption at any installation
- D. An alarming ratemeter
Show answer
Answer: D. An alarming ratemeter
34.47(a) says that at such installations "the wearing of an alarming ratemeter is not required."
Source: eCFR: 10 CFR 34.47, Personnel monitoring (as of Nov 4, 2026)
10. Under 34.47(a)(1), electronic personal dosimeters may only be used in place of what?
- A. Ion-chamber pocket dosimeters
- B. Alarm ratemeters
- C. Film badges
- D. Radiation survey instruments
Show answer
Answer: A. Ion-chamber pocket dosimeters
34.47(a)(1) says "Electronic personal dosimeters may only be used in place of ion-chamber pocket dosimeters."
Source: eCFR: 10 CFR 34.47, Personnel monitoring (as of Nov 4, 2026)
11. 34.47(a)(3) says all personnel dosimeters must be evaluated at least quarterly or promptly after replacement. Which of the two applies?
- A. Whichever is less frequent
- B. Whichever the radiographer chooses
- C. Whichever is more frequent
- D. Quarterly only, unless the dosimeter is a film badge
Show answer
Answer: C. Whichever is more frequent
Personnel dosimeters must be evaluated "at least quarterly or promptly after replacement, whichever is more frequent."
Source: eCFR: 10 CFR 34.47, Personnel monitoring (as of Nov 4, 2026)
12. Under 34.47(c), what must pocket dosimeters or electronic personal dosimeters be checked for at periods not to exceed 12 months?
- A. Remaining battery life
- B. Correct response to radiation
- C. Leakage of radioactive material
- D. Wear on the pocket clip
Show answer
Answer: B. Correct response to radiation
34.47(c): these dosimeters "must be checked at periods not to exceed 12 months for correct response to radiation", and "Acceptable dosimeters must read within plus or minus 20 percent of the true radiation exposure."
Source: eCFR: 10 CFR 34.47, Personnel monitoring (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Off-scale, lost or damaged dosimeters
13. A worker's lost personnel dosimeter has been replaced and the worker's exposure has been calculated. Under 34.47(e), what must be included in the records maintained under 34.83?
- A. The results of the calculated exposure and the time period for which the personnel dosimeter was lost or damaged
- B. Only the serial number of the replacement dosimeter
- C. A signed statement from the worker's co-worker
- D. The dosimetry processor's invoice
Show answer
Answer: A. The results of the calculated exposure and the time period for which the personnel dosimeter was lost or damaged
34.47(e): "The results of the calculated exposure and the time period for which the personnel dosimeter was lost or damaged must be included in the records maintained in accordance with § 34.83."
Source: eCFR: 10 CFR 34.47, Personnel monitoring (as of Nov 4, 2026)
14. A radiographer's electronic personal dosimeter reads greater than 2 millisieverts (200 millirems), and exposure cannot be ruled out. Under 34.47(d), who must make the determination of the individual's radiation dose before the individual resumes work?
- A. The radiographer trainer
- B. The dosimetry processor
- C. The individual's co-worker radiographer
- D. The RSO or the RSO's designee
Show answer
Answer: D. The RSO or the RSO's designee
The individual may not resume work until a dose determination is made, and "This determination must be made by the RSO or the RSO's designee."
Source: eCFR: 10 CFR 34.47, Personnel monitoring (as of Nov 4, 2026)
15. A radiographer's assistant's personnel dosimeter is damaged partway through its wear period. Under 34.47(e), for what time period must the assistant's exposure be calculated?
- A. Only the shift during which the damage was noticed
- B. From issuance to loss or damage of the personnel dosimeter
- C. The whole calendar year in which the damage occurred
- D. From the last direct reading dosimeter reading to the end of the shift
Show answer
Answer: B. From issuance to loss or damage of the personnel dosimeter
34.47(e): the worker ceases work until a replacement is provided "and the exposure is calculated for the time period from issuance to loss or damage of the personnel dosimeter."
Source: eCFR: 10 CFR 34.47, Personnel monitoring (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Alarm ratemeters
16. A radiographer asks for an alarm ratemeter whose alarm setting can be changed with an ordinary button on the front. What does 34.47(g)(3) require of each alarm ratemeter?
- A. The setting may be changed by any radiographer at the start of a shift
- B. The setting may be changed only by the manufacturer
- C. It must require special means to change the preset alarm function
- D. The setting must be changed for each new jobsite
Show answer
Answer: C. It must require special means to change the preset alarm function
34.47(g)(3): each alarm ratemeter must "Require special means to change the preset alarm function".
Source: eCFR: 10 CFR 34.47, Personnel monitoring (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Radiation surveys
17. A crew at a temporary jobsite is about to make the radiation surveys required by Part 34. Under 34.49(a), what kind of instrument must the licensee conduct these surveys with?
- A. A calibrated and operable radiation survey instrument that meets the requirements of 34.25
- B. Any radiation detector, if the RSO corrects the readings afterward
- C. The radiographer's direct reading dosimeter
- D. The radiographer's alarm ratemeter
Show answer
Answer: A. A calibrated and operable radiation survey instrument that meets the requirements of 34.25
34.49(a): the licensee shall "Conduct surveys with a calibrated and operable radiation survey instrument that meets the requirements of § 34.25."
Source: eCFR: 10 CFR 34.49, Radiation surveys (as of Nov 4, 2026)
18. Besides the survey after each exposure, when does 34.49(c) require a survey of the radiographic exposure device with a calibrated radiation survey instrument?
- A. Only at the start of each calendar quarter
- B. Only when a new radiographer's assistant is assigned to the crew
- C. Only after the device has been transported on a public road
- D. Any time the source is exchanged and whenever the device is placed in a storage area
Show answer
Answer: D. Any time the source is exchanged and whenever the device is placed in a storage area
34.49(c) requires a survey "any time the source is exchanged and whenever a radiographic exposure device is placed in a storage area (as defined in § 34.3), to ensure that the sealed source is in its shielded position."
Source: eCFR: 10 CFR 34.49, Radiation surveys (as of Nov 4, 2026)
Records of procedures, monitoring and surveys
19. What retention period does 34.83(c) set for personnel dosimeter results?
- A. For 3 years after the record is made
- B. For 1 year after the individual stops working for the licensee
- C. Until the Commission terminates the license
- D. Until the next quarterly evaluation
Show answer
Answer: C. Until the Commission terminates the license
34.83(c) lists "Personnel dosimeter results until the Commission terminates the license."
Source: eCFR: 10 CFR 34.83, Records of personnel monitoring procedures (as of Nov 4, 2026)
20. Under 34.85, which exposure device survey must the licensee keep a record of?
- A. Only the first survey performed in each workday
- B. The survey before the device is placed in storage under 34.49(c), if it is the last one performed in the workday
- C. Only surveys performed at temporary job sites
- D. Only surveys performed by the Radiation Safety Officer
Show answer
Answer: B. The survey before the device is placed in storage under 34.49(c), if it is the last one performed in the workday
34.85 requires "a record of each exposure device survey conducted before the device is placed in storage as specified in § 34.49(c), if that survey is the last one performed in the workday."
Source: eCFR: 10 CFR 34.85, Records of radiation surveys (as of Nov 4, 2026)