Temporary Permit

What is a Permanent Limited X-Ray Machine Operator (LXMO) Permit for?

The Permanent LXMO Permit is for a person who has met all of the requirements (more information and details below) and wishes to perform radiographic procedures in specific anatomical areas while under supervision. The Oregon Board of Medical Imaging (OBMI) Permit is valid for 2-years and must be renewed in order for a person to continue to perform radiographic procedures.


How do I obtain a Permanent Limited X-Ray (LXMO) Permit?

To obtain a Permanent LXMO permit or to add an anatomical area to an existing Permanent Permit issued by the Oregon Board of Medical Imaging you must first obtain a TEMPORARY Permit. You must have a temporary permit in order for you to complete the required clinical training experience. No one is permitted to perform radiographic procedures without a permit.

What is a Temporary LXMO Permit for?

The Temporary LXMO Permit is for a person who has taken a Board-recognized course of instruction and wishes to gain the required clinical experience in order to take a national exam and then go on to obtain a Permanent Permit (more information and details below). The Temporary Permit is a 6-month permit issued by the Oregon Board of Medical Imaging (OBMI) and may be renewed once in order to give additional time to complete the clinical experience requirements. A person must have an OBMI Permit in order to perform radiographic procedures.


How do I obtain a Temporary Limited X-Ray (LXMO) Permit?

To obtain a Temporary Initial Limited Permit you must complete all of the following within the time frames indicated:

1. Complete an Oregon Board of Medical Imaging(OBMI)-recognized limited x-ray course of instruction.
2. Obtain a signed and dated course completion certificate from the course of instruction.
3. Apply for the ARRT exam through the OBMI office.
4. Take and Pass the ARRT exam
5. Submit a Temporary Initial Limited Permit application to the OBMI 

More details on these steps below.


What are the steps I need to do in order to obtain a Permanent Limited X-Ray Machine Operator (LXMO) Permit?

1. Complete an Oregon Board of Medical Imaging(OBMI)-recognized limited x-ray course of instruction.
2. Obtain a signed and dated course completion certificate from the course.
3. Apply for the ARRT exam through the OBMI office.
4. Take and Pass the ARRT exam
5. Submit a Temporary Initial Limited Permit application to the OBMI
6. Complete all of your clinical experience in the anatomical area(s) you passed in the course of instruction and those same areas that are listed on your temporary permit; and
7. Obtain a signed practical experience certification form in the desired anatomic area(s) AND receive notification from the Board of a passing score on the ARRT exam in the same anatomic area(s); and
8. Apply to the OBMI for a Permanent Initial LXMO Permit.​​
   
   
   

What are the timelines for completing all of these steps?

Here are some general guidelines for completing all the steps to obtain a Permanent LXMO Permit from the OBMI:

1. Complete the course of instruction and obtain a course completion certificate. If you haven't obtained a Permanent Permit within 12 months from the date on your course completion certificate, you MUST retake all school courses.
2. You have 12 months from the date on the course completion certificate to Apply, Take and Pass the CORE ARRT exam (a passing score is 70% or better), Apply for and obtain a TEMPORARY Initial LXMO Permit, APPLY for a Permanent LXMO permit.
   
3. The Temporary Permit is valid for 6 months. During these 6 months you can obtain your clinical experience in the anatomical areas you passed in school. During this time, you must also apply for, take and pass the ARRT exam in the specific anatomical areas that you wish to have on your Permanent Permit. You may renew a Temporary permit once to give you more time to complete your clinical experience. However, your second temporary permit will expire in 6 months or within the 12-month time frame, whichever is less.

What courses of instruction are Recognized by the OBMI?

In order to start the process of obtaining a LXMO Permit from the Oregon Board of medical Imaging, you must successfully take and pass a course of instruction that reflects the current Core Module of the "Content Specifications for the Examination for the Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography" published by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists(ARRT). The list of Board approved courses can be found HERE.​


I have passed all of my course requirements in the CORE module, didactic portions of Radiographic Procedure module(s) related to specific anatomic area(s) that I wish to have a permit AND I have my course completion certificate. I am ready to take the ARRT Exam. What is the next step?

As a graduate, you have exactly 12 months from the date indicated on the course completion certificate to complete ALL of the following: 

1.   Apply for the ARRT Limited Scope Examination in Diagnostic Radiologic Technology (ARRT CORE exam) by submitting an application to the OBMI for the Exam. You can find the exam Application HERE. 

2.   Take and Pass the ARRT CORE Exam and any Radiographic Procedural Modules for desired anatomical areas you wish to include on your Permit. As long as you pass CORE, you will receive a Temporary Permit that includes the anatomical areas you passed in school. You may take your exam(s) in specific anatomical areas after you obtain your Temporary Permit. 

3.   Submit an application and have been issued a temporary initial limited permit from the OBMI. You can find the application for the OBMI Temporary Initial LXMO Permit HERE​​.  

4.   At any time during the 6-month period, you may also sign up to take the ARRT Exam in any anatomic areas that you completed in school. 

5.   You may apply for a renewal of your temporary permit one time in order to give you more time to complete the required clinical experience. (more details below) 

With a Temporary LXMO Permit, you can gain your required clinical experience in order to obtain a Permanent LXMO Permit.

6. Apply for a Permanent LXMO Permit


How long is my Temporary Permit valid?

You have 6 months to complete your clinical requirements as indicated on your temporary permit. If you need more time to complete your clinical requirements, you must apply to the OBMI to renew your temporary permit. In order to renew your temporary permit, you must have applied for and taken the ARRT exam in the particular anatomic area you desire for the temporary permit. You may renew a temporary permit only one time; however, the 12-month time frame to complete your clinical experience is not extended.


What happens if I fail the ARRT Exam?

You can fail the ARRT exam twice in each section of the Exam. If you fail a third time, you must retake all didactic and clinical experience again by starting the entire process over, including retaking all course work and obtaining a new course completion certificate.


I have completed all of my clinical requirements with my Temporary Permit in specific anatomic area(s) and I have my documented clinical requirements, what is the next step?

The next step is to obtain your Permanent LXMO Permit. You must complete all of the following within 12 months from the date on your course completion certificate 

1. Complete all of your clinical experience in the anatomical area(s) you passed in school and those same areas that are listed on your temporary permit; and
2. Obtain a signed practical experience certification form in the desired anatomic area(s) AND receive notification from the Board of a passing score on the ARRT exam in the same anatomic area(s); and
3. Apply to the OBMI for a Permanent Initial LXMO Permit. You can apply for a Permanent Initial LXMO Permit HERE.
   

​What happens if I don't get my clinical experience completed within the 12-month time frame?

If you do not complete your clinical experience AND submit an application for a Permanent LXMO Permit in the 12-month time frame, you must start the whole process over.​


I have my Permanent Initial LXMO Permit! Now what?

With an active Permanent LXMO permit you may perform the radiographic procedures listed on your Permit within the scope of practice. You must renew your Permit every 2 years and provide the appropriate Continuing Education evidence with your renewal. You may not practice without a valid Permit.


I have my Permanent Initial LXMO Permit and I would like to ​add an anatomic area to my Permit. How do I do that?

To add an anatomic area to your existing and valid permit you must first Complete a Board approved educational program and obtain a course completion certificate. You do not need to pass CORE again to add an anatomical area. Once you have your course completion certificate, you have 12 months from the date on your course completion certificate to complete all of the following: 

1. Apply for, take and pass the Radiographic Procedural module ARRT Exam in that anatomical area; and
2. Obtain a Temporary Permit for that particular anatomical area; and  
3. Obtain your clinical experience in that anatomical area; and
4. Provide all documentation to the OBMI as notice to add that anatomical area to your existing Permanent Permit.
   
    

As an OBMI Permit Holder, it is your responsibility to know and abide by the Oregon Administrative Rules and Revised Statutes related to Medical Imaging.

Take Me To The Self-Service Licensing Portal.​​