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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.

Complete a criminal history records check (CHRC), pay the fee, and complete the online application attesting 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. Completion of a limited-scope X-ray education program consisting of at least 115 didactic hours that meets the requirements (NOTE: A Radiography educational program cannot be substituted for a Limited Scope X-Ray educational program);
  3. Completion of at least 480 clinical hours under the direct supervision of an ARRT-certified radiologic technologist;
  4. Completion of at least six months of clinical care experience; and
  5. 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.

The supervising ARRT-certified radiologist and/or educational program determine how the required competencies are completed. The Board does not have the authority to determine the appropriate manner.

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.

The Board does not require documentation beyond attestation in the online Registration Application form. The Board retains the right to audit the individual 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 and has verification of compliance with all State and Federal laws and regulations, as well as all other requirements. The Board may impose a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per incident on individuals and a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per incident on employers for failure to comply with Health Occupations, § 14-306, 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 application for initial registration.
  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 that provides you with instructions for the next step. Please be aware that the ARRT administers the exam, and you should direct any questions regarding the exam 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.

Note: Your eligibility is based on the attestations you provide. Providing any false, inaccurate, misleading, or incomplete information will result in a penalty of $1,000 for individuals and a civil penalty of $5,000 for employers (Health Occupations, § 14-306, 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 successfully passing all required examination modules, to be eligible to register as an LXMO in Maryland.

You will receive an email from the Board notifying you of your examination scores. 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 to apply to retake the examination is the same as the process to take 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 that provides you with instructions for the next step. Please be aware that the ARRT administers the exam, and you should direct any questions regarding the exam 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.

Applicants will be eligible to register as an LXMO once they receive 75% or higher on all the 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.

Under the supervision of a licensed physician or licensed radiologic technologist, an LXMO may perform X-ray procedures of the:
  1. Chest;
  2. Spine including the:
    1. Cervical spine;
    2. Lumbar spine;
    3. Thoracic spine;
    4. Sacroiliac joints;
    5. Sacrum and coccyx.
  3. Lower extremities, including the:
    1. Toes;
    2. Foot;
    3. Ankle;
    4. Calcaneus;
    5. Tibia and Fibula;
    6. Knee and Patella;
    7. Femur.
  4. Upper extremities, including the:
    1. Fingers;
    2. Hand;
    3. Wrist;
    4. Forearm;
    5. Elbow;
    6. Humerus;
    7. Shoulder;
    8. Clavicle;
    9. Acromioclavicular joints;
    10. Scapula.

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 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, graduation from a radiography educational program does not meet the education requirement for LXMO registration in Maryland. Health Occupations, § 14-306, Annotated Code of Maryland requires applicants to have completed a limited scope X-ray educational program. Applicants may not substitute a radiography educational program for a limited scope X-ray educational program.

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.

No, an applicant cannot use the training or education received in a radiographer education program to meet the requirements for LXMO registration. To meet the education requirements for LXMO registration in Maryland, an applicant must successfully complete a limited-scope X-ray education program that meets all the requirements of Health Occupations, § 14-306, Annotated Code of Maryland.

An applicant can only sit for the Limited Scope in the Practice of Radiography exam if they have successfully completed a limited scope X-ray educational program and have met all of the other requirements of Health Occupations, § 14-306, Annotated Code of Maryland.

An applicant may not be required to provide additional evidence of english proficiency if the applicant holds a valid, unrestricted license, certification, or registration from another state that requires evidence of english proficiency for licensure, certification, or registration.

Resources

Fees
Initial Registration
Application Fee $65.00
Processing Fee $2.00*
*Prorated $2 monthly registration fee assessed from the month of registration application to the month of registration expiration. Prorated fee will not exceed $48.
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).