Radiation protection course

A radiation protection course imparts technical and medical knowledge about the basics and application of radioactive substances and ionizing radiation (e.g. X-rays).

Situation in Germany

This article or paragraph presents the situation in Germany . Help us to describe the situation in other countries.

Successful participation in a radiation protection course recognized by the competent authority is one of the prerequisites for acquiring specialist knowledge in radiation protection .

Legal basis

The handling of X-ray equipment, stray radiation, radioactive substances and other ionizing radiation is regulated by the X-ray Ordinance (RöV) and the Radiation Protection Ordinance (StrlSchV). In both ordinances, specialist knowledge of radiation protection is required as a prerequisite for handling or using the devices, substances or radiation mentioned . Further stipulations on the acquisition, updating and scope of specialist knowledge in radiation protection are set out in a series of guidelines.

Recognition of radiation protection courses

As one of the necessary prerequisites for acquiring specialist knowledge, the guidelines for specialist knowledge require successful participation in courses recognized by the “responsible body”. These competent bodies are specified in Germany by the individual federal states. These are mostly ministries, regional councils, state offices or state, dental or veterinary chambers; a list can be found below under the web links.

The responsible bodies must check whether the courses meet the requirements of the relevant specialist guidelines before they are recognized, i.e. H. whether they meet the requirements specified for the individual specialist groups, whether the course content is taught by qualified teachers and whether the necessary equipment (e.g. laboratories for internships) is available.

Course locations for radiation protection courses

In the first few years after the first Radiation Protection Ordinance came into force in 1960, radiation protection courses were initially only offered by a few course centers, most of which were affiliated with research institutions. Today there are a large number of other course providers who offer at least the most popular courses. A number of clinics offer courses in the field of radiation protection in medicine, and courses in the technical field are held at many universities and technical colleges. There are now many private course providers in both the medical and technical fields. The Federal Office for Radiation Protection offers a list of course locations, broken down by federal state, for downloading (see web links).

In order to ensure quality assurance with the confusing range of radiation protection courses on offer, a number of course centers in Germany that offer officially recognized courses in radiation protection have merged to form the “Quality Association for Radiation Protection Course Centers” (QSK). On a voluntary basis, its members submit to quality assurance measures that go beyond the legally binding regulations with regard to teaching content, organization, didactics, spatial requirements and use of media. The QSK website offers a course finder which can be used to find out which radiation protection courses are required.

Web links

Germany:

• List of the bodies responsible for the recognition of specialist courses in radiation protection with contact persons for radiation protection courses
• Homepage of the Quality Association for Radiation Protection Course Centers (QSK)

Switzerland:

• Federal Office of Public Health: Training in radiation protection