Maryland Portable X-ray Regulations

Dec 12, 2022 4:12:21 AM / by Chad Hutchison

The Maryland Department of the Environment handles x-ray forms and guidance for the state of Maryland.

X-ray License in Maryland

The requirements for licensure in the state of Maryland include:

  • Be of good moral character.
  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Pay the application fee.
  • Graduation from a JRCERT-accredited radiation therapy or radiography program or a JRCNMT-accredited nuclear medicine technology.
  • Certification/registration by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) or Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB).
  • Demonstrate oral and written competency in English as required by the Board.
  • Meet any other requirements established by the Board.

Registering an X-ray Device

Here are instructions for registering a new device in Maryland. Prices range from $80 to $982 per tube. 

Regulations for Portable X-ray Equipment

The Maryland Regulations Final Supplement 24 covers the regulations for portable and mobile x-rays. Some of these rules include:

  • Portable or mobile x-ray equipment shall be used only for examinations where it is impractical to transfer the patient(s) to a stationary x-ray installation
  • X-ray systems subject to Section F.6 shall not be utilized in procedures where the source-to-patient distance is less than 30 centimeters.
  • A hand-held radiation machine is allowed in veterinary offices as a replacement for or in addition to the use of a standard radiographic machine or may be used as a portable veterinary radiation machine in the field at remote locations.
  • A device designed to be hand-held may be permanently installed in an appropriate support frame and used as a free-standing portable x-ray machine.

Additional Requirements Applicable to Systems Specifically Designed to be Hand-Held” starts on page 41.

Disclaimer: The information in this document is solely for reference material. Regulations change often. To be sure of the most up-to-date laws, contact your local and state agencies.

Additional Resources

Maryland Radiology License

Radiological Health Program

Maryland Department of the Environment

1800 Washington Blvd.

Baltimore, Maryland 21230

(410) 537-3300

Maryland Board of Physicians 

Department of Health and Mental Hygiene 

4201 Patterson Ave.

PO Box 2571 

Baltimore, MD 21215-0095

(410) 764-4777

For additional information on radiation machines, please call/email Eva Nair at 410-537-3193 or Eva.Nair@maryland.gov. For information on fees, call/email Shannon Page at 410-537-3193 or spage@maryland.gov.

Tags: Portable X-ray Regulations

Chad Hutchison

Written by Chad Hutchison

Founder and CEO of Maven Imaging, Chad Hutchison has been in the medical imaging equipment market since 2003. As his business grew, he pioneered buying and selling medical equipment online and eventually began offering leasing and financing to meet market demands and help customers. His market expertise goes beyond traditional medical imaging and finance support, as he’s spearheading cloud-based lending solutions for vendors across the sector.