Qualified inspector, registered medical physicist & qualified expert requirements

Provisional registration is available for qualified inspectors working under the direct supervision of a registered qualified inspector. Please contact the X-Ray Certification Unit for additional information.

Qualified inspector (QI) requirements

• Part 2, Appendix I, Section 2I.1.1
  • The applicant must hold an associate's or higher degree in physics, applied physics, biophysics, biophysical engineering, medical physics, radiologic physics, health physics, or equivalent, from an accredited college or university.
• Part 2, Appendix I, Section 2I.1.2
  • Must demonstrate experience in each category of radiation machine for which they seek approval. This experience must include, but is not limited to: measuring ionizing radiation; evaluating radiation machines and their components; evaluating facility radiation safety programs; processing images; applying the applicable requirements of the Colorado radiation regulations; and, when available, working with digital imaging and image processing system software and hardware.
• Part 2, Appendix I, Section 2I.1.3
• The experience duration is in combination with the education requirements as follows:
  • One year experience with a masters or doctorate degree.
  • Two years experience with an arts or sciences baccalaureate degree.
  • Three years experience with an Associate Degree.
  • Part 2, Appendix I, Section 2I.1.4.
• The required experience must be from within the seven years before the application date or supported by documented continuing education and experience completed within that same seven-year period.

Qualified inspector, registered medical physicist & qualified expert - application process

Submit a qualified inspector R-53 application

Submit a registered medical physicist R-53 application

Submit a qualified expert R-68 application

Instructions for applying for registration as a new qualified inspector, registered medical physicist, or qualified expert

• Complete the applicable online application (R-53QI/RMP) or R-68QE
• Attach copies of:
  • Your diploma, transcripts or other education.
  • Documentation of related work experience.
  • Documentation to demonstrate experience in each of the machine categories you apply for.
• Payment:
  • A non-refundable $100 application processing fee applies to new applications.
    • A non-refundable $60 application processing fee is applicable when adding machine categories outside the annual renewal period.
    • After submitting your application, refer to the email from the X-ray Certification Unit for payment instructions.  
  • Once approved, we will email you your registration letters, which are valid for one year.

Renewal of the qualified inspector, registered medical physicist, or qualified expert registration

• To renew, complete the online application (R-53QI/RMP) or R-68QE
• Payment:
  • A non-refundable $100 application processing fee applies to renewal applications.
  • An invoice is mailed 60 days before your current registration expires to the mailing address listed on your registration.
  • Provide a copy of your payment receipt or check to confirm your current invoice is paid. To request a copy of your invoice, please email: cdphe_xray_qisc@state.co.us
• Once approved, we will email you your registration letters, which are valid for one year.

Provisional registration is available for medical physicists who are in the process of obtaining board certification. Provisional RMPs must work under the direct supervision of a registered medical physicist. Please contact the X-Ray Certification Unit for additional information.

Registered medical physicist (RMP) requirements

• Part 2, Appendix I, Section 2I.1.1
  • The applicant must hold a master's or higher degree in physics, applied physics, biophysics, biophysical engineering, medical physics, radiologic physics, health physics, or equivalent, from an accredited college or university.
• Part 2, Appendix I, Section 2I.1.2
  • Must demonstrate experience in each category of radiation machine for which they seek approval. This experience must include, but is not limited to: measuring ionizing radiation; evaluating radiation machines and their components; evaluating facility radiation safety programs; processing images; applying the applicable requirements of the Colorado radiation regulations; and, when available, working with digital imaging and image processing system software and hardware.
• Part 2, Appendix I, Section 2I.1.3
  • The experience duration is in combination with the education requirements as follows:
    • One year with a master's or doctorate degree
• Part 2, Appendix I, Section 2I.1.4
  • The required experience shall be acquired within the 7 years preceding the date of application or through documented subsequent continuing education and experience within 7 years preceding the date of the application.
• Part 2, Appendix I, Section 2I.3.1
  • Approval for registration in the registered medical physicist category is given to an individual who is certified by:
    • The American Board of Radiology in Radiological Physics, Diagnostic Medical Physics, Diagnostic Radiological Physics, Medical Nuclear Physics.
    • The American Board of Medical Physics in Diagnostic Radiological Physics
    • The Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine in Radiological Physics
    • The American Board of Radiology in Nuclear Medical Physics; American Board of Medical Physics in Nuclear Medicines Physics, or American Board of Science in Nuclear Medicine in Nuclear Medicine Physics and Instrumentation and who shall be limited to RMP certification evaluation activities associated with CT or hybrid (positron emission tomography/CT and single-photon emission computerized tomography/CT systems only).
    • Equivalent specialty board or certification approved in writing by the department.

Registered medical physicist approval in the mammography category

• Part 2, Appendix I, Section 2I.4
• Approval for registration in the mammography category is for a registered medical physicist who meets the requirements of 2I.1 and 2I.3 and has the following combination of initial training and experience.
• Part 2, Appendix I, Section 2I.4.1
• Has a master's degree or higher in a physical science from an accredited institution with no less than 20 semester hours in physics.
• Have 20 contact hours of specialized training in conducting mammography facility evaluations.
• Experience in conducting evaluations of at least one mammography facility and a total of at least ten (10) mammography units under the following conditions:
• No more than one evaluation of a specific unit within sixty (60) calendar days can be counted towards the total mammography unit survey requirement and this experience is under the direct supervision of a registered medical physicist with approval in the mammography category.
• Part 2, Appendix I, Section 2I.4.2
• Registered medical physicist continuing education and continuing education requirements for mammography:
  • At least fifteen (15) documented hours of continuing education in mammography that are no more than thirty-six months old.
  • Surveys of at least six (6) mammography units operated in at least two (2) mammography facilities within the immediately previous twenty-four (24) months

Registered medical physicist approval in the Therapeutic Radiation Machines category

• Part 2, Appendix I, Section 2I.5.1
  • Approval for registration in the Therapeutic Radiation Machines category is for a registered medical physicist who meets the requirements of 2I.1 and is certified by:
    • The American Board of Radiology in Therapeutic Medical Physics, Therapeutic Radiological Physics, Radiological Physics.
    • The American Board of Medical Physics in Radiation Oncology Physics.
    • The Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine in Radiation Oncology Physics.
    • Equivalent specialty board or certification approved by the department.

Qualified expert (QE) requirements (performs shielding design only)

• Part 2, Appendix B, Section 2B.1
  • A QE(R) designs or evaluates shielding for radiation machines used for healing arts.
  • A QE(T) designs or evaluates shielding for radiation machines used in radiation therapy.
• Part 2, Appendix B, Section 2B1.1
  • A QE(R) or a QE(T) must have current certification in health physics or a subfield of medical physics by:
    • The American Board of Medical Physics
    • The American Board of Health Physics
    • The Canadian College of Medical Physics
    • The American Board of Radiology in a radiological physics category
    • The American Board of Nuclear Medicine Science
    • Current certification in an equivalent specialty board recognized by the department.
• Part 2, Appendix B, Section 2B1.2 
  • If the applicant holds a current certification in an equivalent specialty board recognized by the Department, the applicant must also provide written documentation of the following:
    • Holds a master's or doctorate from an accredited college or university in physics, biophysics, radiological physics,
    • health physics, or medical physics
    • Has completed 2 years of training and work experience acceptable to the department that includes one year of documented, full-time training in the appropriate field under the supervision of a qualified expert
• Part 2, Appendix C, Section 2C.1
  • A QE(S) designs or evaluates shielding for radiation machines not used in the healing arts.
• A QE(S) must have current certification in health physics or a subfield of medical physics by:
  • The American Board of Medical Physics
    • The American Board of Health Physics
    • The Canadian College of Medical Physics
    • The American Board of Radiology in a radiological physics category
    • The American Board of Nuclear Medicine Science
    • Current certification in an equivalent specialty board recognized by the department.
• Part 2, Appendix C, Section 2C.2 
  • If the applicant holds a current certification in an equivalent specialty board recognized by the department, the applicant must also provide written documentation of the following:
    • Holds a master or doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in physics, biophysics, radiological physics, health physics, or medical physics
    • Has completed 2 years of training and work experience acceptable to the Department that includes one year of documented, fulltime training in the appropriate field under the supervision of a qualified expert.

Additional information

Please contact CDPHE X-ray Certification Unit at: cdphe_xray_qisc@state.co.us or call 303-692-3448.