How to Register an X-Ray Machine in Florida: A Step-by-Step Guide

Setting up a dental or medical practice in Florida is an exciting milestone but before your imaging equipment ever touches a patient, there’s one non-negotiable step you can’t afford to overlook: X-Ray Machine Registration Florida law requires before clinical use begins.

Many new practice owners assume there’s a grace period after installing equipment. There isn’t. Operating an unregistered radiation machine in Florida puts your practice at risk of citations, fines, and mandatory shutdowns. The good news? Once you understand the process, it’s entirely manageable.

At The Dental Techs in Florida, we guide patients and healthcare professionals through the landscape of dental and diagnostic imaging every day. This guide breaks down exactly what you need to know step by step, in plain language.

Why X-Ray Machine Registration in Florida Is Mandatory

Florida takes radiation safety seriously. The Florida Department of Health (DOH) Bureau of Radiation Control (BRC) oversees more than 64,000 x-ray machines across over 21,000 facilities statewide from dental offices and chiropractic clinics to hospitals, veterinary practices, and universities.

Under Chapter 64E-5 of the Florida Administrative Code, every facility that operates a radiation-emitting machine must register it with the DOH Bureau of Radiation Control before the machine is placed into clinical use. This applies whether you’re opening a brand-new practice or adding a machine to an existing one.

The BRC’s mission is straightforward: reduce radiation exposure to workers and the public by ensuring every machine in Florida meets established safety and performance standards.

Two Requirements You Must Not Confuse

Before diving into the steps, here’s a distinction that trips up many first-time registrants:

• Facility/Machine Registration: Registering your x-ray equipment and the physical location where it’s used with the DOH Bureau of Radiation Control. This is what this guide covers.
• Operator Licensure: A completely separate requirement for the individuals who operate or supervise x-ray machines, managed through Florida DOH’s radiologic technologist program.

Both are required. Registering your machine doesn’t authorize anyone to use it, and a licensed technologist working on an unregistered machine is still a violation.

Who Needs to Register an X-Ray Machine in Florida?

Florida’s registration requirement applies broadly. The following facilities and entities are required to complete X-Ray Machine Registration Florida compliance:

• Dental and orthodontic offices
• Medical, chiropractic, and podiatric practices
• Urgent care centers and imaging facilities
• Hospitals and academic institutions
• Veterinary clinics
• Industrial and analytical x-ray operators
• Vendors, installers, and service companies that sell or assemble x-ray systems

If your facility owns, leases, or takes possession of an x-ray unit, registration is your responsibility regardless of the machine’s size or intended use.

Step-by-Step: How to Register an X-Ray Machine in Florida

Step 1: Gather Your Information

Before completing any forms, collect the following:

• Legal name and contact information for your facility
• Physical address where the machine will be installed
• Machine manufacturer, model name, and serial number
• Intended use category (dental, medical, chiropractic, veterinary, etc.)
• Anticipated installation date
• Radiation safety program documentation (required if your facility is not already a DOH licensee)

Having this ready in advance saves significant back-and-forth time.

Step 2: Address Room Shielding Requirements

If you’re building or renovating a room for your x-ray unit, shielding must be designed and certified by a qualified medical physicist before construction is complete. This is governed by Rule 64E-5.805 of the Florida Administrative Code.

The physicist performs calculations based on your specific room workload, distance to adjacent spaces, and occupancy patterns. This is not a one-size-fits-all requirement. After installation, a post-construction verification survey confirms the shielding performs as designed.

Importantly, Florida does not require you to submit your shielding design to the state for approval that responsibility lies with your qualified medical physicist. However, you should keep all shielding reports on file, as they are among the first documents requested during a state inspection.

Step 3: Complete DH Form 1107

The core of x-ray machine registration in Florida is DH Form 1107 (Radiation Machine Registration Form). This form must be completed for each facility location where a machine will be used.

Submit this form before the machine is placed into clinical use there is no grace period. Missing this step is one of the most cited violations the Florida DOH issues each year.

Step 4: Confirm Your Vendor’s Registration

Companies that assemble, install, repair, or sell x-ray machines in Florida are themselves required to hold a vendor registration filed on DH Form 1113. Confirm your equipment supplier or installer is properly registered before they set foot in your facility.

Step 5: File the Assembly Report

Once your machine is installed, an assembly report is required:

• Certified diagnostic x-ray systems → File FDA Form 2579 (Report of Assembly), submitted by your installer
• Non-certified systems → Use Florida’s DH Form 1114

Keep a copy of this report permanently on file. State inspectors routinely request it.

Step 6: Receive Your Registration Certificate

After your completed DH Form 1107 is reviewed and approved by the BRC X-Ray Section, you’ll receive a Certificate of X-Ray Registration. This certificate lists your facility name, registered machines (by serial number), and your Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) if applicable.

Post this certificate at your facility as required.

Step 7: Schedule Ongoing Physics Evaluations

Registration isn’t a one-time event. Florida requires periodic equipment performance evaluations by a qualified medical physicist. These typically occur annually and include:

• Radiation output and dose measurements
• Safety interlock verification
• Image quality assessment
• Mammography units: mandatory annual survey under federal MQSA rules

Mark these on your calendar they’re part of staying in compliance year after year.

Annual Renewal and Fees

Florida runs x-ray machine registration on an annual cycle. Your renewal fee is due before October 28 each year, regardless of when you initially registered.

Missing this deadline is among the most frequent compliance citations issued statewide so calendar it well ahead of time and don’t wait on a reminder notice.

You can verify your registration status and pay fees online at xray.floridahealth.gov using your registration number and facility zip code.

Operator Licensing: Don’t Skip This Step

Once your machine is registered, only licensed operators may use it. Florida licenses x-ray operators at two primary levels:

• General Radiographer / Nuclear Medicine Technologist / Radiation Therapy Technologist: Requires completion of a two-year accredited radiologic technology program and passing the ARRT examination
• Basic X-Ray Machine Operator (BXMO): Entry-level credential; no formal educational program required, but applicants must pass a state exam

All applicants must be at least 18 years old, pass a background screening, and meet good-character requirements outlined in Florida Statute 435.03. Licenses renew every two years with 12 hours of continuing education required per cycle.

State Inspections: What to Expect

The Florida DOH conducts more than 15,000 inspections annually statewide, on schedules that vary by equipment type:

• Mammography and cancer therapy machines inspected annually
• Dental and podiatry machines inspected every five years
• Other equipment scheduled based on use frequency

If an inspection reveals a deficiency, most facilities receive 90 days to correct it. However, machines that pose an immediate public health risk must be removed from service immediately no grace period.

Your Quick-Reference Compliance Checklist

Before Installation:

• Gather all facility and machine details
• Have room shielding designed by a qualified medical physicist (if building/renovating)

At Registration:

• Complete and submit DH Form 1107 before clinical use begins
• Confirm vendor holds DH Form 1113 registration
• Obtain assembly report (FDA Form 2579 or DH Form 1114)
• Receive your Certificate of X-Ray Registration

Ongoing Compliance:

• Ensure all operators hold current Florida DOH licenses
• Schedule annual physics evaluations
• Pay annual fee before October 28 every year
• Report any change of ownership promptly to the BRC
• Keep all documentation on file for inspections

Ready to Take the Next Step? The Dental Techs Can Help.

Navigating X-Ray Machine Registration Florida requirements doesn’t have to be overwhelming. At The Dental Techs, our experienced team in Florida is here to support dental and healthcare professionals through every stage from equipment consultation to compliance guidance.

Whether you’re setting up a brand-new dental office or upgrading an existing imaging system, we can help ensure your practice is fully equipped, compliant, and ready to serve patients with confidence.

Schedule your consultation with The Dental Techs today and let our experts walk you through the process from start to finish. Your patients deserve imaging done right and so does your practice.

Questions We Hear All the Time

Do I need to register my x-ray machine before my practice opens, or can I start using it while I wait for approval?

Registration must be completed before the machine is placed into clinical use not after. There is no waiting period or interim authorization under Florida law. If you’re approaching your opening date, begin the registration process as early as possible to avoid delays.

What happens if I’m cited for operating an unregistered x-ray machine in Florida?

Citations can result in mandatory removal of the machine from service, financial penalties, and follow-up inspections. Machines that pose an immediate risk to public health must be taken offline right away. It’s far easier and less costly to register correctly from the start.

Is the person who operates my x-ray machine required to have a separate license?

Yes. Machine registration and operator licensure are two entirely separate requirements in Florida. Even if your machine is properly registered, only individuals who hold a valid Florida DOH radiologic technologist certification or Basic X-Ray Machine Operator (BXMO) credential may operate it.

How often does the state inspect x-ray machines in dental offices?

Dental and podiatry x-ray machines are inspected on a five-year cycle by the Florida Department of Health. However, annual physics evaluations and equipment performance testing are still required in the interim, and your registration must be renewed each year before October 28.

Does a dental office need a Radiation Safety Officer (RSO)?

If your facility is not already a DOH licensee, you are required to have a radiation safety program in place and submitted to the BRC X-Ray Section for review. Whether a designated RSO is formally required depends on your facility type and the scope of your imaging services. When in doubt, consult with a qualified medical physicist or contact the Florida DOH Bureau of Radiation Control directly.