NUREG 1556 Vol 7, Rev 1 (2018), NRC regulation: 10 CFR 20, 10 CFR 30

RSO qualifications, RSO/Authorized User training

Education: BS or higher in scientific or technical field

RSO Training: 40-hour RSO

Experience: Varies according to the complexity of the license – from 1-5 years

Authorized users: Designated by RSO, approved by regulators, receive AU training appropriate for their use of radioactive materials

Facilities: Must be adequate to protect health and to secure sources against loss or theft.

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Radiation Safety Program Components

Dosimetry: Required for any worker who might reach 10% of a dose limit; consider area dosimetry in area(s) in which sources are stored or used regularly

Instrumentation: gamma dose rate (e.g. ion chamber), alpha, beta, and/or gamma contamination

Surveys: (10 CFR 20.1501) As appropriate for amount and frequency of nuclide use

Sealed source inventory and leak testing: Required every 6 months; leak testing may be performed by licensee and counted by vendor or can all be performed by vendor.

Program audit: Annual (by internal or external auditor)

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Procedures: Required to develop and use security procedures, operating procedures and emergency response procedures for each type of fixed gauge

Radioactive package receiving: Required to have SOP

Radioactive materials accountability: Inventory every 6 months

Other considerations: This is a broad license category that can apply to wide variety of small radioactive materials licenses and programs. The number and activity of sources and complexity of work will determine the RSO’s qualification requirements.

Records retention

Receipt records: 3 years following source receipt, transfer or disposal

Source transfer: 3 years following source receipt, transfer or disposal

Inventory: 5 years

Leak test: 3 years

Important to decommissioning: Until site released for unrestricted use

Shipping, transportation: 2 years after shipping or transportation

Radioactive material disposal: Until license terminated

Dosimetry: Until license terminated