Industrial radiography operations, monitoring, surveys and posting study guide
10 CFR Part 34 is the NRC rule for industrial radiography licenses and radiation safety requirements. This guide sets out what the rule text states on lay-barge, offshore platform and underwater radiography (34.41(c)), operating and emergency procedures (34.45), personnel monitoring with direct reading dosimeters, personnel dosimeters and alarm ratemeters (34.47), radiation surveys (34.49), surveillance (34.51), posting (34.53), and the matching records (34.81 to 34.85). goraedu does not train, test or certify radiographers, and this is not a certification exam. Agreement States license radiography under their own compatible rules, so check yours too. Every point links to the regulation and quotes its exact words.
Special operations, surveillance and posting
Under 34.41(c), a licensee may conduct lay-barge, offshore platform, or underwater radiography only if procedures have been approved by the Commission or by an Agreement State.
“A licensee may conduct lay-barge, offshore platform, or underwater radiography only if procedures have been approved by the Commission or by an Agreement State.”
During each radiographic operation, the radiographer, or the other individual present as required by 34.41, shall maintain continuous direct visual surveillance of the operation to protect against unauthorized entry into a high radiation area, as defined in 10 CFR part 20. This does not apply at permanent radiographic installations where all entryways are locked and the requirements of 34.33 are met.
“During each radiographic operation the radiographer, or the other individual present, as required by § 34.41, shall maintain continuous direct visual surveillance of the operation to protect against unauthorized entry into a high radiation area, as defined in 10 CFR part 20 of this chapter, except at permanent radiographic installations where all entryways are locked and the requirements of § 34.33 are met.”
All areas in which industrial radiography is being performed must be conspicuously posted as required by 20.1902(a) and (b).
“All areas in which industrial radiography is being performed must be conspicuously posted as required by § 20.1902(a) and (b) of this chapter.”
The exceptions listed in 20.1903 do not apply to industrial radiographic operations.
“Exceptions listed in § 20.1903 of this chapter do not apply to industrial radiographic operations.”
Not covered here
The posting requirements of 10 CFR 20.1902 and the exceptions in 20.1903 that 34.53 refers to, the definition of a high radiation area in 10 CFR part 20, and the permanent installation requirements of 34.33 are not set out here. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Operating and emergency procedures
Operating and emergency procedures must include, as a minimum, instructions in a list of subjects set out in 34.45(a). The points below take them one at a time.
“Operating and emergency procedures must include, as a minimum, instructions in the following:”
One subject is the appropriate handling and use of licensed sealed sources and radiographic exposure devices so that no person is likely to be exposed to radiation doses in excess of the limits established in 10 CFR part 20.
“Appropriate handling and use of licensed sealed sources and radiographic exposure devices so that no person is likely to be exposed to radiation doses in excess of the limits established in 10 CFR part 20 of this chapter “Standards for Protection Against Radiation”;”
The procedures must include instructions in methods and occasions for conducting radiation surveys.
“Methods and occasions for conducting radiation surveys;”
The procedures must include instructions in methods for controlling access to radiographic areas.
“Methods for controlling access to radiographic areas;”
The procedures must include instructions in methods and occasions for locking and securing radiographic exposure devices, transport and storage containers and sealed sources.
“Methods and occasions for locking and securing radiographic exposure devices, transport and storage containers and sealed sources;”
The procedures must include instructions in personnel monitoring and the use of personnel monitoring equipment.
“Personnel monitoring and the use of personnel monitoring equipment;”
The procedures must include instructions in transporting sealed sources to field locations, including packing of radiographic exposure devices and storage containers in the vehicles, placarding of vehicles when needed, and control of the sealed sources during transportation. The rule refers to 49 CFR parts 171-173.
“Transporting sealed sources to field locations, including packing of radiographic exposure devices and storage containers in the vehicles, placarding of vehicles when needed, and control of the sealed sources during transportation (refer to 49 CFR parts 171-173);”
The procedures must include instructions in the inspection, maintenance, and operability checks of radiographic exposure devices, survey instruments, transport containers, and storage containers.
“The inspection, maintenance, and operability checks of radiographic exposure devices, survey instruments, transport containers, and storage containers;”
The procedures must include instructions in the steps that radiography personnel must take immediately if a pocket dosimeter is found to be off-scale or an alarm ratemeter alarms unexpectedly.
“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.”
The procedures must include instructions in the procedure(s) for identifying and reporting defects and noncompliance, as required by 10 CFR part 21.
“The procedure(s) for identifying and reporting defects and noncompliance, as required by 10 CFR part 21 of this chapter;”
For accidents, the procedures must include instructions in the procedure for notifying proper persons and in minimizing exposure of persons.
“(10) The procedure for notifying proper persons in the event of an accident; (11) Minimizing exposure of persons in the event of an accident;”
The procedures must include instructions in a source recovery procedure, if the licensee will perform source recovery, and in maintenance of records.
“(12) Source recovery procedure if licensee will perform source recovery; (13) Maintenance of records.”
Not covered here
The dose limits of 10 CFR part 20, the reporting rules of 10 CFR part 21 and the transport rules of 49 CFR parts 171-173 that 34.45(a) refers to are not covered here. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Wearing and reading dosimeters
The licensee may not permit any individual to act as a radiographer or a radiographer's assistant unless, at all times during radiographic operations, each individual wears, on the trunk of the body, a direct reading dosimeter, an operating alarm ratemeter, and a personnel dosimeter.
“The licensee may not permit any individual to act as a radiographer or a radiographer's assistant unless, at all times during radiographic operations, each individual wears, on the trunk of the body, a direct reading dosimeter, an operating alarm ratemeter, and a personnel dosimeter.”
At permanent radiography installations where other appropriate alarming or warning devices are in routine use, the wearing of an alarming ratemeter is not required.
“At permanent radiography installations where other appropriate alarming or warning devices are in routine use, the wearing of an alarming ratemeter is not required.”
Pocket dosimeters must have a range from zero to 2 millisieverts (200 millirems) and must be recharged at the start of each shift.
“Pocket dosimeters must have a range from zero to 2 millisieverts (200 millirems) and must be recharged at the start of each shift.”
Electronic personal dosimeters may only be used in place of ion-chamber pocket dosimeters.
“Electronic personal dosimeters may only be used in place of ion-chamber pocket dosimeters.”
Each personnel dosimeter must be assigned to and worn only by one individual.
“Each personnel dosimeter must be assigned to and worn only by one individual.”
Film badges must be replaced at least monthly, and all other personnel dosimeters that require replacement must be replaced at least quarterly.
“Film badges must be replaced at least monthly and all other personnel dosimeters that require replacement must be replaced at least quarterly.”
All personnel dosimeters must be evaluated at least quarterly or promptly after replacement, whichever is more frequent.
“All personnel dosimeters must be evaluated at least quarterly or promptly after replacement, whichever is more frequent.”
Direct reading dosimeters, such as pocket dosimeters or electronic personal dosimeters, must be read and the exposures recorded at the beginning and end of each shift, with records kept in accordance with 34.83.
“Direct reading dosimeters such as pocket dosimeters or electronic personal dosimeters, must be read and the exposures recorded at the beginning and end of each shift, and records must be maintained in accordance with § 34.83.”
Pocket dosimeters, or electronic personal dosimeters, must be checked at periods not to exceed 12 months for correct response to radiation, with records kept in accordance with 34.83.
“Pocket dosimeters, or electronic personal dosimeters, must be checked at periods not to exceed 12 months for correct response to radiation, and records must be maintained in accordance with § 34.83.”
Acceptable dosimeters must read within plus or minus 20 percent of the true radiation exposure.
“Acceptable dosimeters must read within plus or minus 20 percent of the true radiation exposure.”
Off-scale, lost or damaged dosimeters
If an individual's pocket chamber is found to be off-scale, or his or her electronic personal dosimeter reads greater than 2 millisieverts (200 millirems), and the possibility of radiation exposure cannot be ruled out as the cause, the individual's personnel dosimeter that requires processing must be sent for processing and evaluation within 24 hours.
“If an individual's pocket chamber is found to be off-scale, or if his or her electronic personal dosimeter reads greater than 2 millisieverts (200 millirems), and the possibility of radiation exposure cannot be ruled out as the cause, the individual's personnel dosimeter that requires processing must be sent for processing and evaluation within 24 hours.”
In the same situation, for personnel dosimeters that do not require processing, evaluation of the dosimeter must be started within 24 hours.
“For personnel dosimeters that do not require processing, evaluation of the dosimeter must be started within 24 hours.”
In addition, the individual may not resume work associated with licensed material use until a determination of the individual's radiation dose has been made.
“In addition, the individual may not resume work associated with licensed material use until a determination of the individual's radiation dose has been made.”
This determination must be made by the RSO or the RSO's designee, and its results must be included in the records maintained in accordance with 34.83.
“This determination must be made by the RSO or the RSO's designee. The results of this determination must be included in the records maintained in accordance with § 34.83.”
If the personnel dosimeter required by 34.47(a) is lost or damaged, the worker shall cease work immediately until a replacement personnel dosimeter meeting 34.47(a) is provided and the exposure is calculated for the time period from issuance to loss or damage of the personnel dosimeter.
“If the personnel dosimeter that is required by paragraph (a) of this section is lost or damaged, the worker shall cease work immediately until a replacement personnel dosimeter meeting the requirements in paragraph (a) is provided and the exposure is calculated for the time period from issuance to loss or damage of the personnel dosimeter.”
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.
“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.”
Alarm ratemeters
Each alarm ratemeter must be checked to ensure that the alarm functions properly (sounds) before using at the start of each shift.
“Be checked to ensure that the alarm functions properly (sounds) before using at the start of each shift;”
Each alarm ratemeter must be set to give an alarm signal at a preset dose rate of 5 mSv/hr (500 mrem/hr), with an accuracy of plus or minus 20 percent of the true radiation dose rate.
“Be set to give an alarm signal at a preset dose rate of 5 mSv/hr (500 mrem/hr); with an accuracy of plus or minus 20 percent of the true radiation dose rate;”
Each alarm ratemeter must require special means to change the preset alarm function.
“Require special means to change the preset alarm function; and”
Each alarm ratemeter must be calibrated at periods not to exceed 12 months for correct response to radiation.
“Be calibrated at periods not to exceed 12 months for correct response to radiation.”
The licensee shall maintain records of alarm ratemeter calibrations in accordance with 34.83.
“The licensee shall maintain records of alarm ratemeter calibrations in accordance with § 34.83.”
Radiation surveys
The licensee shall conduct surveys with a calibrated and operable radiation survey instrument that meets the requirements of 34.25.
“Conduct surveys with a calibrated and operable radiation survey instrument that meets the requirements of § 34.25.”
Using such an instrument, the licensee shall conduct a survey of the radiographic exposure device and the guide tube after each exposure when approaching the device or the guide tube.
“Using a survey instrument meeting the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section, conduct a survey of the radiographic exposure device and the guide tube after each exposure when approaching the device or the guide tube.”
That survey must determine that the sealed source has returned to its shielded position before exchanging films, repositioning the exposure head, or dismantling equipment.
“The survey must determine that the sealed source has returned to its shielded position before exchanging films, repositioning the exposure head, or dismantling equipment.”
The licensee shall also survey the radiographic exposure device with a calibrated radiation survey instrument 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.
“Conduct a survey of the radiographic exposure device with a calibrated radiation survey instrument 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.”
The licensee shall maintain survey records in accordance with 34.85.
“Maintain records in accordance with § 34.85.”
Not covered here
The survey instrument requirements of 34.25 and the definition of a storage area in 34.3 are covered in the other industrial radiography guides, not here. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Records of procedures, monitoring and surveys
The licensee shall maintain copies of current operating and emergency procedures in accordance with 34.81 and 34.89.
“The licensee shall maintain copies of current operating and emergency procedures in accordance with §§ 34.81 and 34.89.”
Each licensee shall maintain a copy of current operating and emergency procedures until the Commission terminates the license. Superseded material must be retained for 3 years after the change is made.
“Each licensee shall maintain a copy of current operating and emergency procedures until the Commission terminates the license. Superseded material must be retained for 3 years after the change is made.”
Dosimetry results must be retained in accordance with 34.83.
“Dosimetry results must be retained in accordance with § 34.83.”
Each licensee shall maintain the exposure records specified in 34.47 that 34.83 lists, as set out in the points below.
“Each licensee shall maintain the following exposure records specified in § 34.47:”
Direct reading dosimeter readings and the yearly operability checks required by 34.47(b) and (c) are kept for 3 years after the record is made.
“Direct reading dosimeter readings and yearly operability checks required by § 34.47 (b) and (c) for 3 years after the record is made.”
Records of alarm ratemeter calibrations are kept for 3 years after the record is made.
“Records of alarm ratemeter calibrations for 3 years after the record is made.”
Personnel dosimeter results are kept until the Commission terminates the license.
“Personnel dosimeter results until the Commission terminates the license.”
Records of estimates of exposures as a result of off-scale personal direct reading dosimeters, or lost or damaged personnel dosimeters, are kept until the Commission terminates the license.
“Records of estimates of exposures as a result of: off-scale personal direct reading dosimeters, or lost or damaged personnel dosimeters until the Commission terminates the license.”
Each licensee shall maintain 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. Each record must be maintained for 3 years after it is made.
“Each licensee shall maintain 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. Each record must be maintained for 3 years after it is made.”
Not covered here
34.45(b) also points to 34.89 (location of documents and records); that section and 34.87 (form of records) are covered in the licensing and records guide. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Sources
- eCFR: 10 CFR 34.41, Conducting industrial radiographic operations (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
- eCFR: 10 CFR 34.51, Surveillance (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
- eCFR: 10 CFR 34.53, Posting (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
- eCFR: 10 CFR 34.45, Operating and emergency procedures (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
- eCFR: 10 CFR 34.47, Personnel monitoring (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
- eCFR: 10 CFR 34.49, Radiation surveys (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
- eCFR: 10 CFR 34.81, Copies of operating and emergency procedures (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
- eCFR: 10 CFR 34.83, Records of personnel monitoring procedures (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
- eCFR: 10 CFR 34.85, Records of radiation surveys (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
Other Industrial radiography study guides: Training, certification and supervision, Equipment, sealed sources and storage, Licensing, records and notifications