Issuance of Level 3 permits

• Issuance of level 3 permits
Level 3 practice permits are issued by CNCAN to radiation protection experts, for one or more fields, according to the classification below:
a) Radiation generators (GR), in the form of radiological installations that accelerate electrons, with a maximum voltage applied to the X-ray tube of up to 420 kV, with the practices: handling, non-destructive testing, physico-chemical analyses, diagnostic radiology, radiotherapy, other applications.
b) Sealed sources (SI), in the case of sources in the form of sealed sources or radiological installations equipped with sealed radiation sources, including neutron sources, with the practices: handling, non-destructive testing, process control, physico-chemical analyses, irradiation of materials, radiotherapy, research and other applications.
c) Unsealed sources (SD), with the practices: handling, radiochemistry, labelling, diagnostic radiology, radiotherapy and other applications.
d) Particle accelerators (AP), in the case of sources in the form of radiological installations that accelerate electrons, with a maximum energy of the accelerated electrons greater than 420 keV, with the practices: handling, non-destructive testing, therapy, research, other applications.
e) Nuclear raw material (MPN), with the practices involving prospecting and exploration activities, mining, processing of radioactive ores, fabrication of fuel elements.
f) Nuclear facilities (ON), with the practices: nuclear power plants, nuclear research or test reactors, critical assemblies, subcritical assemblies, storage of irradiated fuel, reprocessing, fuel enrichment, fabrication of fresh fuel.

The level 3 practice permit for radiation protection experts is issued for a period of 5 years.

Radiation protection experts have the duties specified in Annex 5 to the Norms on the issuance of practice permits for nuclear activities and the designation of radiation protection experts.

The practice permit for radiation protection experts may be renewed or extended to another field and/or practice following an examination conducted in accordance with these norms.

The level 3 practice permit for radiation protection experts may be issued to applicants who meet the following conditions:
a) they are Romanian citizens or citizens of other states with the right to work in Romania
b) they have no criminal record;
c) they hold the diplomas and, as the case may be, the certificate of completion of practical training provided for in Art. 28 of the Norms on the issuance of practice permits for nuclear activities and the designation of radiation protection experts;
d) they have been declared to have passed, following the examination taken before the examination board;
e) they do not carry out activities involving duties related to the licensing and/or inspection of activities in the nuclear field;
f) their practice permit has not been withdrawn in the last 5 years.

The template of the level 3 practice permit is presented in Annex no. 6.6 to the Norms on the issuance of practice permits for nuclear activities and the designation of radiation protection experts.

In order to be admitted to the examination for obtaining the level 3 practice permit, the following are required:
a) a bachelor's degree obtained through long-cycle university studies in physics, chemistry, industrial chemistry or engineering;
b) a diploma of completion of a level 3 radiation protection training programme endorsed by CNCAN, for experts in the respective field;
c) a certificate of completion of a period of practical training, forming part of the level 3 radiation protection training programme, of at least 15 working days, which must be carried out for each of the practices in the field that involve the use of sources, according to the field. The practical training must be carried out under the direction of a radiation protection expert, within organizations under the jurisdiction of legally established entities, organizations that use sources according to the field for which the practice permit is requested. The start of the practical training period must be communicated by the organizer of the training programme, in writing, to CNCAN, which takes steps to carry out the necessary inspections. The certificate of completion of practical training must be issued by the head of the organization that uses the sources with which the practical training was carried out.
d) as the case may be, a level 2 permit, for the highest sub-level.

The level 3 radiation protection training programme and the period of practical training are not required for:
a) teaching staff who have led practical work and university courses, or radiation protection training programmes endorsed by CNCAN and organized through training centres;
b) applicants who have held, continuously for at least two years, an approval to work as a radiation protection expert issued by CNCAN before these norms were issued, for the field and speciality requested;
c) applicants registering for the examination with a view to extending the validity of the level 3 practice permit issued in accordance with the provisions of these norms;
d) persons who can prove their participation in the drafting of norms, standards and scientific papers in the field of radiation protection;
e) heads of nuclear units, radiation protection officers, persons responsible for the management of sources or radiological safety officers with at least 10 years of experience in these positions;
f) CNCAN experts and advisers with at least 8 years of experience;
g) specialists from radiation hygiene laboratories with at least 10 years of experience.

The examination is held to verify that the applicant meets the requirements regarding training in the field and covers the theoretical and practical aspects of the topics indicated in Chapters VII, VIII and IX of the Norms on the issuance of practice permits for nuclear activities and the designation of radiation protection experts, as the case may be.

The application for registration for the examination must be accompanied by a registration file containing proof of:
(a) fulfilment of the requirements specified above;
(b) possession of the diplomas and the radiation protection training programme indicated and, as the case may be, of the documents proving fulfilment of the requirements set out above;
(c) payment of the examination fee and tariff.

The documentation for extending the period of validity of the level 3 practice permit for radiation protection experts must include the following:

• an extract from the records of the authorization holders/applicants to whom he or she has provided advice;
• a report on the applicant's participation, in the last 5 years, in radiation protection courses as a lecturer or trainee and in events in the field of radiation protection (symposia, workshops, congresses, conferences, etc.);
• proof of participation, during the period of validity of the level 3 permit, in the drafting of standards, norms and scientific papers in the field of radiation protection;
• a report on the radiological incidents/accidents that occurred in the units to which he or she has provided advice, an analysis of the causes that led to their occurrence, and the corrective and preventive measures that were recommended to prevent the recurrence of such events;
• a report on the personal contribution to the application of the ALARA principle in the safety assessments he or she has carried out;
• an indication of other observations, comments or events that deserve to be analysed from the point of view of radiological safety;
• a report on the sanctions received for breaches of the radiological safety norms

Absence from the examination without a valid reason is deemed a withdrawal of the application for the level 3 practice permit.