Free and Inexpensive Ways to Earn Radiation and Fluoroscopy CME Credits
Fluoroscopy is a branch of medical imaging that uses continuous X-rays beams to provide a real-time examination of tissue, bone and other body structures. Because of potential health risks due to increased radiation exposure, the field is highly regulated to ensure the safety of patients and staff. The state of California requires healthcare providers who operate or supervise fluoroscopy radiation to earn CME (Continuing Medical Education) credits in order to renew and maintain medical licenses, permits, and certifications. Earning CME credits can be costly, and for some, the expense is a hardship. Scrubs Continuing Education offers ways you can earn inexpensive fluoroscopy CME credits.
About CME Requirements
CME (Continuing Medical Education) refers to activities that help “maintain, develop, or increase the knowledge, skills, and professional performance and relationships…” of healthcare providers across many disciplines. Anyone who provides or supervises healthcare and medical services must meet the CME requirements, including physicians, surgeons, podiatrists, physician assistants, and nurses. California fluoroscopy licenserequirements also apply to supervisors of diagnostic/medical centers, and the technologists who operate the equipment and diagnostic machines, to earn CME credits.
California CME Credits must be accepted by the following governing bodies:
- The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists® (ARRT®)
- Medical Board of California
- Osteopathic Medical Board of California
- California Board of Chiropractic Examiners
- Board of Podiatric Medicine
- Dental Board of California
Who Must Earn CME Credits?
According to the California Department of Health, CME credits are required to renew medical licenses, certifications, and permits in radiologic technology and fluoroscopy (Title 17, California Code of Regulations, section 30403). The regulations apply to any healthcare or medical professional who provides, supervises, operates or recommends fluoroscopic testing.
Fluoroscopy and radiation CME courses are required for…
- Certified radiologic technologists (CRT)
- Radiology supervisors and operators
- Fluoroscopy permit holders
- Physician Assistants & Supervisors/Operators (physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors) with fluoroscopy permits
How Many Hours Do You Need?
Everyone in the state in California who operates or provides fluoroscopy radiationexaminations must take a set amount of hours (credits) in order to maintain permits, licenses, and certifications.
Radiography – 24 CE credits in two year period, 4 of which shall be in digital radiography and/or fluoroscopy radiation safety
- Radiology Supervisors/Operators – 10 approved CE (Continuing Education) credits
- Fluoroscopy permit holders – 4 approved CE credits in fluoroscopy radiation safety for the clinical uses of fluoroscopy in subjects related to the application of X-rays
- Fluoroscopy Certified Supervisors and Operators – 10 CE credits in a two year period, 4 of which shall be in fluoroscopy radiation safety
- Physician Assistants & Supervisor/Operators with fluoroscopy permits – 4 of 10 credits in radiation safety for the clinical uses of fluoroscopy (includes California licensed Physicians, Surgeons, Podiatrists, and Chiropractors)
To see the complete requirements, visit the California Department of Health web page at: (Downloads to a pdf) Renewal Requirements
California Department of Health
Department of Health Services
Radiological Health Branch, MS 7610
(916) 327-5106
In general, the requirements must be met within two (2) years after the expiration date of a fluoroscopy permit or medical license.
How Can You Earn CME Credits?
One CE credit equals one CME credit as defined by the Medical Board of California. In order to qualify as a CE credit, the educational material must include some portion of instruction or philosophy that relates to X-ray and/or fluoroscopy examination, such as correct application, uses, the latest technology, patient safety, best practices, and the effects of radiation on the human body.
CME credits can qualify as CE credits on “hour-by-hour basis” as long as there is instruction related to X-ray applications.
There are a number of different ways to obtain CME credits:
- In-person lectures
- Conferences
- Online classes/conferences
- Books & peer-reviewed articles (case studies, research, new technology, etc.)
- Video & audio recordings
Each state has its own requirements in regards to CME credits. The California Department of Public Health sets CE requirements for fluoroscopic radiologists and other healthcare providers who are involved in this type of diagnostic testing.
How Much Does it Cost to Earn CME Credits?
Earning CME credits can cost anywhere from under a hundred dollars to thousands if you attend a conference for which you have to travel and stay in a hotel somewhere for several days. Even online courses and seminars can set you back a lot, depending on the organization sponsoring the course. For some, the expense is a hardship, so many people look for ways to cut costs by earning inexpensive or free fluoroscopy CME credits.
Inexpensive and Free CME Courses in Radiology, Fluoroscopy, and X-rays
There are a surprising amount of ways to meet CE requirements that won’t wreak havoc on your budget. You may find some free CME courses offered by hospitals throughout California and around the country. Some of them are online classes that can be taken from anywhere.
Earn CME Radiation Credits from ScrubsCE
Another inexpensive way to earn credits and satisfy California CME requirements is to take ScrubsCE Courses. We offer high-quality, low-cost, online classes, which are ASRT®/AHRA®-approved for ARRT® Category A & A+ Credit Hours.
X-Ray Continuing Education Courses (radiologic technologists & imaging professionals)
California Combo Fluoroscopy Safety Combos (digital radiography & fluoroscopy radiation protection)
Fluoroscopy Radiation Safety (for fluoroscopy permit holders)
You can satisfy California radiology license requirements without busting your budget by taking advantage of inexpensive and occasionally free fluoroscopy CME courses. Get started with ScrubsCE to find cost-effective online courses.
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