OAR 337-010-0030: Limited X-Ray Machine Operator (LXMO) Permits

(1) Applicants are required to complete multiple steps to obtain a Permanent LXMO Permit. An applicant for a n Initial Permanent LXMO permit must provide evidence of and complete all of the following within a 12-month period starting with the date on the course completion certificate from course of study that is approved by the Board and ending with the date of the Initial Permanent LXMO application : (a) An applicant for a LXMO permit must be at least 18 years of age; and (b) Pay a non-refundable application fee; and (c) Successfully attend, pass and obtain a signed course completion certificate from a course of study that: is approved by the Board; taught by a board-approved instructor ; includes Core module and at least one didactic portion of a Radiographic Procedure Module (anatomic areas in: Skull/Sinus, Spine, Chest, Extremities, and/or Podiatric); includes a course of instruction in laboratory practice approved by Board; includes all subjects outlined in the Board’s “Limited X-Ray Machine Operator (LXMO) Instruction Manual” dated October 2023 which is incorporated by reference and made a part of this rule. “Limited X-Ray Machine Operator (LXMO) Instruction Manual” dated October 2023 is found on the OBMI website : https://www.oregon.gov/obmi/Documents/LXMO-Instruction-Manual-current.pdf; and (d) Provided an applicant has a valid course completion certificate as described in this rule, apply through OBMI, take, and pass with a score of at least 70 percent, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Limited Scope Examination in Diagnostic Radiologic Technology in CORE module. A passing score in CORE module is required to apply for a Temporary Initial LXMO Permit; and (A) Apply through OBMI, take, and pass with a score of at least 70 percent, the ARRT Limited Scope Examination in Diagnostic Radiologic Technology Radiographic Procedure Module (s) in which the applicant passed in an approved course of study and wishes to include on the Permanent LXMO Permit (B) A person is allowed three attempts to pass an individual section of the ARRT exam during the 12-month time frame. Upon failure of the three attempts for CORE Module, all course work must be repeated, and a new course completion certificate is required for Core module and all Radiographic Procedure Module (s) regardless of a previous passing score for any individual Radiographic Procedure Module(s) ; and (e)(A) Provided an applicant has passed the ARRT examination in at least CORE Module, apply for and obtain a Temporary Initial LXMO Permit through OBMI. A Temporary Permit will only be issued for anatomic areas that the applicant successfully completed from an approved course of study, as reflected on the course completion certificate. A person cannot perform a radiographic procedure on a patient without a LXMO Permit. With a temporary LXMO Permit, a person may only perform a radiographic procedure on the anatomic area(s) for which the Temporary LXMO Permit is valid; (B) A Temporary Initial LXMO Permit holder may apply to renew a Temporary LXMO Permit in an anatomic area in order to have additional time to complete the practical experience requirements. A temporary LXMO permit may be renewed one time and can extend no longer than the 12-month time frame outlined in this rule, starting with the date on the course completion certificate from a course of study that is approved by the Board; and (C) Temporary Permit holders must provide current verification of supervision for the duration of a temporary permit. Supervision must be provided by: licensed physician, licensed nurse practitioner or a licensed physician assistant with adequate training in radiography in accordance with RPS rules. Personal Supervision is required ( Personal supervision means that the supervisor is always physically present in the room during the performance of the procedure.); and (f) Provided the applicant holds a valid temporary LXMO Permit, obtain an instructor's certification that the applicant has demonstrated all the positions, projections and requirements as described in the “Limited X-Ray Machine Operator (LXMO) Instruction Manual” dated October 2023 for each category; and (g)(A)Provided an applicant has completed the above requirements, apply for Permanent Initial LXMO Permit through OBMI (B) A Permanent LXMO Permit will only be issued to applicants who have passed the ARRT CORE module exam, at least one Radiographic Procedure Module anatomic area and completed all required clinical experience. With a LXMO Permit, a person may only perform a radiographic procedure on the anatomic area(s) for which the LXMO Permit is valid (2) In the event that a person is unable to complete all requirements to obtain a Permanent LXMO Permit in the 12 months’ time frame, a person must retake the Core Module and didactic portions of the Radiographic Procedure Module as described in this rule and obtain a new course completion certificate. (3) A Permanent LXMO Permit holder may add an anatomical area to their existing Permit by obtaining a course completion certificate from a course of study that is approved by the Board as described in this rule and apply to OBMI for a temporary LXMO permit to complete practical experience requirements in that anatomic area. The applicant can only work on live patients in the desired anatomic area if the applicant has a Temporary LXMO Permit in the desired anatomic area. The applicant has one year from the date on the course completion certificate to complete practical experience requirements as specified in this rule for that specific anatomic area, pass the ARRT examination for that anatomic area, and notify OBMI to add the anatomic area to their existing Permanent LXMO Permit. The applicant is eligible for one six-month Temporary LXMO Permit, which may be renewed one time and can extend no longer than 12 months from the date on the course completion certificate. A permanent limited permit holder does not need to pass the CORE module exam to attempt to add an anatomic area. (4) The Board, at its discretion and upon a showing of good cause, upon written request, may extend specific deadlines established in this rule to a later specified date, based upon a demonstration of compelling circumstances by the individual making the request for an extension. The Board may grant an extension that is based upon factors including but not limited to pregnancy, military service, or disability. This provision only applies to time limitations established by the board, and cannot be applicable to time limitations governed by entities other than the Board or that are otherwise governed by statute. (5) ARRT Limited Scope Examination in Diagnostic Radiologic Technology Fees and application process: (a) The ARRT examination fees and procedures to apply are set by ARRT ; and (b) A $20 additional fee is required for each examination module for which the applicant is tested; and (c) All fees, along with the required certifications and verifications that the applicant has completed Board-approved Core Module course and Radiographic Procedure Module courses, must be submitted to the Board. Upon submission and acceptance of the application materials, OBMI shall begin the ARRT exam registration for the applicant; and (d) The examination shall consist of sections as described in the “Limited X-Ray Machine Operator (LXMO) Instruction Manual” dated October 2023; and (e) Limited scope examinations will be administered at computer-based testing sites identified by ARRT. The applicant is subject to rules regarding test administration at the testing site ; and (f) All application fee s are non-refundable. (6) Application for a permanent Bone D ensitometry Limited P ermit. (a) Applicants are required to complete multiple steps to obtain a Bone Densitometry Limited Permit. An applicant for a Bone Densitometry Limited Permit must provide evidence of and complete all of the following within a 12-month period starting with the date on the course completion certificate from a course of study that is approved by the Board and ending with the date of the Bone Densitometry Limited Permit application : (b) Must be at least 18 years of age; and (c) Pay a non-refundable application fee; and (d) Successfully attend and pass a course of study that is approved by the Board and obtain a signed course completion certificate that meets the didactic and practical experience requirements stated in the Board's publication “Bone Densitometry Instruction Manual” dated October 2023 which is incorporated by reference and made a part of this rule and is found on the OBMI website: https://www.oregon.gov/obmi/Documents/Bone-Densitometry-Instructor-manual-current.pdf ; and (e)(A) Provided an applicant has a valid course completion certificate as described in this rule, apply through OBMI, take, and pass with a score of at least 70 percent, the ARRT Bone Densitometry Equipment Operators Examination (B) A person is allowed three attempts to pass the ARRT Bone Densitometry Equipment Operators Examination during the 12-month time frame. Upon failure of the three attempts, all course work must be repeated, and a new course completion certificate is required; and (f) Provided an applicant has passed the ARRT Bone Densitometry Equipment Operators Examination, apply for a Permanent Bone Densitometry Limited Permit. (g) In the event that a person is unable to complete all requirements to obtain a Bone Densitometry Limited Permit in the 12 months’ time frame, a person must repeat all course work and obtain a new course completion certificate. (h) Every person who performs bone densitometry procedures must have an active bone densitometry limited permit from OBMI, except for a person who has a radiography license from OBMI or who is exempted from OBMI’s licensure requirements. (i) Permit holders must provide current verification of supervision upon renewal. Supervision must be provided by a licensed physician, licensed nurse practitioner or licensed physician assistant . Supervision is required (Supervision means the act of monitoring and reviewing the performance of medical imaging licensees or limited X-ray machine operators through regular inspections of work produced, regardless of whether the supervising individual is continuously physically present during the performance or use of medical imaging equipment or X-ray equipment.). (7) The Board, at its discretion and upon a showing of good cause, upon written request, may extend specific deadlines established in this rule to a later specified date, based upon a demonstration of compelling circumstances by the individual making the request for an extension. The Board may grant an extension that is based upon factors including but not limited to pregnancy, military service, or disability. This provision only applies to time limitations established by the Board and cannot be applicable to time limitations governed by entities other than the board or that are otherwise governed by statute. The extension may be provided through authorization for an additional temporary permit for a period of time specified by the Board.