Limited podiatric radiography permits.

Existing law, the Radiologic Technology Act, prohibits a person from administering or using diagnostic or therapeutic x-rays on human beings in this state, unless that person has been certified or granted a permit by the State Department of Public Health, as specified, is acting within the scope of that certification or permit, and is acting under the supervision of a healing arts licensee. Existing law requires the department to issue limited permits to persons to conduct radiologic technology limited to the performance of certain procedures or the application of x-rays to specific areas of the human body, except for mammography, and requires the department to prescribe minimum standards of training and experience for these persons and to prescribe procedures for examining applicants for limited permits. Existing administrative law defines the scope of a limited leg-podiatric radiography permit as radiography of the knee, tibia and fibula, and ankle and foot. Existing administrative law requires, as a condition of eligibility for the limited permit, an applicant to pass specified department-approved examinations and to submit an application containing a specified fee and certain information, including a copy of the limited permit x-ray technician school graduation diploma or certificate in that limited permit category. This bill would authorize the State Department of Public Health to issue to a person a limited podiatric radiography permit described above if the person has satisfied the above-described eligibility requirements, including passing examinations in radiation protection and safety, and podiatric radiologic technology, and has completed a course in radiation safety approved by the department that includes instruction in radiation protection and safety, principles of radiographic exposure, quality control, image processing, anatomy and physiology, digital radiography, positioning, and the performance of at least 50 x-ray procedures under supervision. The bill would require the course to be provided by a licensed doctor of podiatric medicine who holds a current and valid radiography supervisor and operator permit issued by the department, as specified. The bill would require the course to require a minimum of 60 hours of education, which may be online. The bill would limit the training to a maximum of one year for any one student, and one student per licensed doctor of podiatric medicine, as specified. The bill would require the department to adopt initial regulations implementing its provisions by July 1, 2023, and would exempt the regulations from the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, except as prescribed. The bill would make conforming changes to related provisions.