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Maryland Board of Physicians


Limited X-Ray Machine Operator (LXMO) Registration

No, an LXMO registration is not the same as a license. LXMO-registered individuals are unlicensed.

Yes, completing a criminal history records check (CHRC), including fingerprinting, is required to register as an LXMO.

An applicant shall: Complete a criminal history records check (CHRC), pay the fee, and complete the online application attesting to the following requirements:
  1. Complete a criminal history records check (CHRC).
  2. Complete and submit the online application with the required fee.
  3. Attest to the following requirements:
    1. A passing result of at least 75% per module (Core, Chest, Spine, and Extremities) on the Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography examination administered by the ARRT;
    2. One of the following education programs:
      1. Graduation from a limited-scope X-ray education program; or
      2. Completion of the first year of an accredited radiologic technologist education program while in good standing;
    3. Completion of at least 115 didactic hours that meet the requirements;
    4. Completion of at least 480 clinical hours under the direct supervision of an ARRT-certified radiologic technologist;
    5. Completion of at least six months of clinical care experience; and
    6. Completion of the required five competencies for the chest, spine, lower extremities, and upper extremities while under the direct supervision of an ARRT-certified radiologic technologist.
  4. If you have attested to the completion of the first year of an accredited radiologic technologist education program, the program director must complete and submit an Attestation of Program Director for LXMO Applicant form directly to the Board.

Yes, the program director of the radiologic technologist educational program must attest that the LXMO applicant meets or exceeds all requirements. The applicant must complete Part 1 of the Attestation of the Program Director for LXMO Applicant form. The program director must then complete Part 2 and email it to the Board at mdh.mbp_lxmo@maryland.gov.

No, only applicants who have completed the first year of a radiologic technologist educational program must submit an attestation from the program director.

The supervising ARRT-certified radiologist and/or educational program determine how the required competencies are completed.

The completion of at least 115 hours of didactic training delivered by an ARRT-certified radiologic technologist providing instructions in:
  1. Radiography anatomy, procedures, and pathology;
  2. Digital image acquisition and display;
  3. Fundamentals, ethics, and laws of health care;
  4. Human anatomy and physiology;
  5. Image production and analysis;
  6. Imaging equipment and radiation production;
  7. Medical terminology; and
  8. Patient care.

No, the Board only requires applicants to complete an attestation in the online Registration Application form and Attestation of Program Director for LXMO Applicant, if applicable. The Board retains the authority to audit the individual and/or the employer to ensure compliance with State and Federal law and regulations. It is the responsibility of the individual and the employer to ensure that the individual complies with all State and Federal laws and regulations, as well as all other requirements, and that compliance is verified. The Board may impose a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per incident on individuals and up to $5,000 per incident on employers for failure to comply with Health Occupations, § 14-306.3, Annotated Code of Maryland. Individuals may also be subject to disciplinary action for violations of Health Occupations, § 14-306.4, Annotated Code of Maryland.

  1. Complete the Application to take Exam (Step 1) provided by the Board, attesting that you meet the qualifications to take the Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography exam The form to take the exam is not the initial registration application.
  2. After you apply to take the exam, the Board will determine if you are eligible to take the exam. If the Board finds you eligible, you will receive an email with instructions for the next step. Please be aware that the ARRT administers the exam; direct any questions to the ARRT. You may contact the ARRT at 651-687-0048 and select the option for earning an ARRT credential or state license.
  3. After the ARRT notifies the Board of your examination score, the Board will notify you of your examination score via email.

Note: Your eligibility is based on the attestations you provide. Providing any false, inaccurate, misleading, or incomplete information will result in a civil penalty of $1,000 and may result in disciplinary action for individuals and a civil penalty of $5,000 for employers (Health Occupations, §§ 14-306.3 and 14-306.4, Annotated Code of Maryland).

You must complete the Core, Chest, Spine, and Extremities modules and pass with at least 75% per module.

Individuals must meet the qualifications for all authorized body parts, including passing all required examination modules, to be eligible to register as an LXMO in Maryland.

After the ARRT notifies the Board of your examination score, the Board will notify you by email. Do not call the Board for exam scores.

You may request an official verification of your exam score and LXMO registration from the Board using the Maryland License Verification webpage. There is a $25 fee.

Please contact the ARRT at 651-687-0048 and select the option for earning an ARRT credential or state license for any questions about the examination process, including examination delays.

Please email the Board at mbpmail@rcn.com.

If you fail one or more of the required module(s), the next step is to apply to retake the examination. The process for retaking the examination is the same as the process for taking the exam initially. To apply to retake the examination::
  1. Complete the Application to take Exam (Step 1) provided by the Board, attesting that you meet the qualifications to take the Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography exam. The form to take the exam is not the application for initial registration (Step 2).
  2. After you apply to take the exam, the Board will determine if you are eligible to take the exam. If the Board finds you eligible, you will receive an email with instructions for the next step. Please be aware that the ARRT administers the exam; direct any questions to the ARRT. You may contact the ARRT at 651-687-0048 and select the option for earning an ARRT credential or state license.
  3. The Board will notify you of your examination score via email after it is provided to the Board by the ARRT.

Applicants will be eligible to register as an LXMO once they achieve 75% or higher in all required examination modules.

No, you must be registered to practice as an LXMO in Maryland. To register, individuals must complete the initial Registration Application for Limited X-Ray Machine Operator (LXMO), including completing a criminal history records check (CHRC) and paying all required fees. If the Board approves the initial application, an individual will be registered as an LXMO, authorized to perform certain X-ray procedures, and authorized to work as an LXMO.

If you pass the exam, the next step is to complete a criminal history records check (CHRC), pay any required fees, and complete the Registration Application for Limited X-Ray Machine Operator (LXMO) to apply for initial registration.

Note: To be registered, individuals must complete the initial Registration Application for Limited X-Ray Machine Operator (LXMO) online application. An individual will not be registered as an LXMO, authorized to perform X-ray procedures, or authorized to work as an LXMO until the Board has approved the initial application.

Yes, previous scores are accepted if the applicant has successfully passed each required module (Core, Chest, Spine, Extremities) with a 75% or higher score.

No, the Board has not approved an alternative examination at this time.

Click to view the LXMO's scope of practice.

Only a Maryland-licensed physician or a Maryland-licensed radiologic technologist who is immediately available to provide direction in person, by telephone, or by other electronic means may supervise an LXMO.

Registration processing time varies and may be delayed if the applicant does not provide the required information or the application is incomplete. The Board will contact you if any information is missing or incomplete. Please do not contact the Board, as this may cause further delays.

Yes, you must renew your registration by the expiration date, April 30th, of odd years (ex: 2027).

Yes, LXMOs must complete at least 24 hours of approved CE credits in the 2 years immediately following initial registration and every 2 years thereafter.

No, you do not need to provide documentation of your CE credits unless you are selected for an audit.

You should retain documentation of your completed CEs for at least 6 years.

Yes. To reinstate your registration, you must:
  1. Complete a criminal history records check (CHRC), including fingerprinting;
  2. Complete the reinstatement application provided by the Board;
  3. Pay the reinstatement fee; and
  4. Provide documentation of 24 continuing education (CE) credits from the 2 years preceding the date of application for reinstatement.

No, a passing score on the ARRT national Radiography exam does not fulfill the examination requirement for LXMO registration in Maryland. Only a passing score on the required modules of the Limited Scope in the Practice of Radiography exam is accepted.

No. The ARRT will not allow applicants to register for both exams at the same time. Please contact the ARRT if you need more information.

An applicant can sit for the Limited Scope in the Practice of Radiography exam if they have successfully met all of the requirements of Health Occupations, § 14-306.3, Annotated Code of Maryland.

Resources

Fees
Initial Registration
Application Fee $65.00
Exam Fee** $10.00
**One-time Board application fee.
Verification Fee $25.00
Renewals* $125.00
Reinstatements $135.00

*Includes a $26 assessment fee to fund the Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC) as required by law (MD Code Annotated Health Occ. §1-209).