EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

Send all applications with fees to:

Department of State Health Services
Cash Receipts Branch – MC 2003
PO Box 149347
Austin, TX 78714-9347

To minimize delays in processing radioactive material renewal and amendment applications, submit documents to RAMLicensing@dshs.texas.gov. 

 

Important Notice for Licensees Subject to Category 1 and Category 2 Quantities of Radioactive Material (formerly Increased Controls)

Radioactive Materials Program Authorization and Scope

Regulation of radioactive material fuel sources in nuclear reactors and the byproduct materials that result from nuclear fission are regulated by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. States with Agreement State status can maintain authority over byproduct material. However, in States without Agreement State status, the NRC retains authority over byproduct material.

States become Agreement States by establishing programs to assume NRC regulatory authority under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. Section 274 of the Act provides a statutory basis under which NRC relinquishes to the States portions of its regulatory authority to license and regulate byproduct materials (radioisotopes); source materials (uranium and thorium); and certain quantities of special nuclear materials. The mechanism for the transfer of NRC's authority to a State is an agreement signed by the Governor of the State and the Chairman of the Commission, in accordance with section 274b of the Act. Agreement States are required to maintain compatibility with NRC’s program and are routinely reviewed every four years for adequacy and compatibility by NRC’s Management Review Board.

Texas became an Agreement State in 1963 and has regulated these radioactive materials since. Texas had previously regulated Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials which NRC did not have the authority to regulate. In addition, Texas regulates sources of radiation from lasers and x-ray machines including mammography, over which NRC does not have regulatory authority.

Overall, the Texas Radiation Control Program totals approximately 25% Radioactive Materials permits and approximately 75% X-Ray, Mammography, and Laser permits.

United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission - Safety Culture

Email Updates

Sign up to receive email updates about important changes to the Radiation Control Program. This feature will serve as a tool to increase communication with customers regarding new information added to the website.

Contact Information

Email: RAMLicensing@dshs.texas.gov
Phone: 512-834-6661 
Fax: 512-834-6690

Please see the contact information page for additional contacts and mailing addresses.