Radiographers and limited x-ray machine operators

Wis. Stat. ch. 462
in effect

Wis. Stat. § 462.01 Definitions

In this chapter: (1) “Board” means the radiography examining board. (2) “Bone densitometry” means the quantitative assessment of bone mass using single or dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. (3) “Department” means the department of safety and professional services. (4) “Physician” means a person licensed to practice medicine and surgery under s. 448.04 (1) (a), (b), or (bg). (5) “Practice of radiography” means the imaging of anatomical structures, produced by the combined application of X-rays to the human body and the application of knowledge in the fields of anatomy, radiographic positioning, and radiographic technique, and knowledge of principles of radiation protection, for the purpose of medical diagnosis except that “practice of radiography” does not include bone densitometry.

Wis. Stat. § 462.02 Practice, use of title restricted

(1) (a) Subject to sub. (2), no person may use the title “radiographer,” represent himself or herself as a radiographer, or engage in the practice of radiography, unless the person is granted a license under s. 462.03 (2). (b) A person who holds a limited X-ray machine operator permit to perform radiography and who does not hold a license under s. 462.03 (2) may not perform radiography except as authorized under the permit. A limited X-ray machine operator permit shall authorize the holder to perform radiography of one or more of the following: 1. The thorax, lungs, and ribs. 2. The upper and lower extremities, including the pectoral girdle but excluding the hip and pelvis. 3. The foot, ankle, and lower leg below the knee. 4. The cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to any of the following: (a) A physician. (b) A person enrolled as a student in a radiography program approved by the board, if the person is directly supervised by a physician or a person licensed under s. 462.03 (2). (c) A chiropractor licensed under s. 446.02 or a person under the direct supervision of such a chiropractor, if the person has successfully completed a course of instruction comprising at least 48 hours of instruction approved by the chiropractic examining board related to X-ray examinations. (d) A dentist licensed under s. 447.04 (1), a dental therapist licensed under s. 447.04 (1m), a dental hygienist licensed under s. 447.04 (2), a person certified as an expanded function dental auxiliary under s. 447.04 (3), a dentist or dental hygienist who holds a compact privilege under subch. II of ch. 447, or a person under the direct supervision of a dentist. (e) A physician assistant. (f) A podiatrist licensed under s. 448.63 or a person under the direct supervision of such a podiatrist, if the person has successfully completed a course of instruction approved by the podiatry affiliated credentialing board related to X-ray examinations under s. 448.695 (3).

Wis. Stat. § 462.03 Issuance of license, permit

(1) General requirements. The board may not grant a license or limited X-ray machine operator permit under this section to a person unless all of the following apply: (a) The person is at least 18 years of age. (b) The person holds a high school diploma or its equivalent, as determined by the board. (c) The person pays the initial credential fee determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a). (d) The person submits an application on a form provided by the department. (e) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, the person does not have an arrest or conviction record. (2) License. Subject to sub. (1), the board shall grant a license to practice radiography to a person who passes an examination administered by the board and submits evidence satisfactory to the board that the person has completed a course of study in radiography that has been approved by the board or an equivalent course of study, as determined by the board. (3) Permit. Subject to sub. (1), the board shall grant a limited X-ray machine operator permit to perform radiography to a person who passes an examination administered by the board and submits evidence satisfactory to the board that the person has completed an appropriate course of study, as determined by the board.

Wis. Stat. § 462.04 Prescription or order required

A person who holds a license or limited X-ray machine operator permit under this chapter may not use diagnostic X-ray equipment on humans for diagnostic purposes unless authorized to do so by prescription or order of a physician licensed under s. 448.04 (1) (a), a naturopathic doctor licensed under s. 466.04 (1), a dentist who is licensed under s. 447.04 (1) or who holds a compact privilege under subch. II of ch. 447, a dental therapist licensed under s. 447.04 (1m), a podiatrist licensed under s. 448.63, a chiropractor licensed under s. 446.02, an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under s. 441.09, a physician assistant who is licensed under s. 448.974 or who holds a compact privilege under subch. XIII of ch. 448, or, subject to s. 448.56 (7) (a), a physical therapist who is licensed under s. 448.53 or who holds a compact privilege under subch. XI of ch. 448.

Wis. Stat. § 462.05 Renewal of license, permit

(1) The renewal date for licenses and limited X-ray machine operator permits granted under this chapter is specified in s. 440.08 (2) (a). Renewal applications shall be submitted to the department on a form provided by the department and shall include the renewal fee determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a). (2) (a) A radiographer or limited X-ray machine operator is not eligible for renewal of a license or permit under sub. (1) unless the radiographer or limited X-ray machine operator has complied with the continuing education requirements established by the board under s. 462.06 (1) (c). (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to a radiographer or limited X-ray machine operator if the radiographer or limited X-ray machine operator is applying for renewal for the first time.

Wis. Stat. § 462.06 Rule making

(1) The board shall promulgate rules that do all of the following: (a) Establish standards for courses of study in radiography. The standards shall be no less stringent than the standards adopted by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology or a successor organization. (b) Establish standards for examinations under s. 462.03 (2) and (3). Notwithstanding s. 462.03 (2) and (3), the rules may permit a person to satisfy the examination requirement by providing the board with evidence satisfactory to the board that the person holds a current registration by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or a successor organization or is currently licensed to practice radiography in another state with examination standards at least as stringent as those promulgated by the board under this paragraph. The board may adopt a limited scope radiography examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, a successor organization, or other recognized national voluntary credentialing body, if the examination standards are at least as stringent as those adopted by the board under this paragraph. (c) Establish continuing education standards for renewal of licenses and limited X-ray machine operator permits issued under this chapter. The standards adopted under this paragraph may recognize current certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or a successor organization as evidence of compliance with the continuing education standards established under this paragraph, if the continuing education requirements for such certification are no less stringent than those adopted by the board under this paragraph. (2) The board may promulgate rules that establish a code of ethics for persons who hold a license or limited X-ray machine operator permit under s. 462.03.

Wis. Stat. § 462.07 Discipline

(1) Subject to the rules promulgated under s. 440.03 (1), the board may conduct investigations and hearings to determine whether a person has violated this chapter or a rule promulgated under this chapter. (2) Subject to the rules promulgated under s. 440.03 (1), if a person who applies for or holds a license or limited X-ray machine operator permit under s. 462.03 does any of the following, the board may reprimand the person or deny, limit, suspend, or revoke the person’s license or permit: (a) Makes a material misstatement in an application for a license or permit under s. 462.03 or an application for renewal of a license or permit. (b) Violates any law of this state or federal law that substantially relates to the practice of radiography, violates this chapter, or violates a rule promulgated under this chapter, including a provision of a code of ethics promulgated under s. 462.06 (2). (c) Materially assists a person who does not hold a license or permit under s. 462.03 to engage in the practice of radiography. (d) Advertises, practices, or attempts to practice under another person’s name. (e) Engages in unprofessional conduct, as defined by the board by rule. (f) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, is arrested for or convicted of an offense the circumstances of which substantially relate to the practice of radiology.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/462Fetched: 10/7/2026