32-2811. Ionizing radiation; prohibitions; limitations; exceptions

A. Except as provided in subsection D of this section, a person may not use ionizing radiation on a human being unless the person is a licensed practitioner or the holder of a certificate as provided in this chapter.

B. A person holding a certificate may use ionizing radiation on human beings only for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes while operating in each particular case at the direction of a licensed practitioner, except that a person holding a certificate may use ionizing radiation on human beings for diagnostic purposes only while operating in each particular case at the direction of a licensed practitioner who is licensed in any other state, territory or district of the United States.  The application of ionizing radiation and the direction to apply ionizing radiation are limited to those persons or parts of the human body specified in the law under which the licensed practitioner is licensed.  The provisions of the technologist's certificate govern the extent of application of ionizing radiation.

C. The provisions of this chapter relating to technologists do not limit, enlarge or affect in any respect the practice of their respective professions by duly licensed practitioners.

D. The requirement of a certificate does not apply to:

1. A hospital resident specializing in radiology who is not a licensed practitioner in this state or a student enrolled in and attending a school or college of medicine, osteopathic medicine, podiatry, dentistry, naturopathic medicine, chiropractic or radiologic technology and who applies ionizing radiation to a human being while under the specific direction of a licensed practitioner.

2. A person engaged in performing the duties of a technologist in that person's employment by an agency, bureau or division of the government of the United States.

3. Dental hygienists licensed in this state and dental assistants holding a valid certificate in dental radiology from a course approved by the state board of dental examiners.

4. Persons providing assistance during an ionizing radiation procedure, apart from such procedures conducted in a health care institution, under the direction of a person licensed to use an ionizing radiation machine.

5. A person who is employed by or acting on behalf of the state department of corrections or a county jail and who uses a low-dose ionizing radiation body scanning device to detect contraband, as defined in section 13-2501, in or on an inmate.

6. A podiatric medical assistant who holds a valid certificate in podiatric radiology from a course approved by the state board of podiatry examiners.

E. Subsection B of this section does not apply to ionizing radiation ordered by a licensed practitioner for other than diagnostic or therapeutic purposes pursuant to section 13-2505, subsection E.