Certified exposure device operators

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Exposure device operators (EDOs) certified by the CNSC are required to renew their certification every 5 years to continue working as certified EDOs. For the official guide and all the details, refer to CSA PCP-09, Exposure Device Operator Personnel Certification Guide – Revision 1.

The CNSC reserves the right to verify that certified EDOs maintain the required knowledge and skills to operate exposure devices safely and securely. The CNSC may take regulatory action – up to decertification – if a certified EDO is found to be operating contrary to safety protocols and conditions, or if a certified EDO is causing undue risk to the public or the environment.

On this page

• How to apply
• When to apply
• Eligibility for renewal
• Continuous work expectation
• Significant interruptions in work
• Continuing training
• Practical examination
• Lapsed/expired EDO certification

How to apply

Submit the following information to the CNSC:

1. A completed CNSC application form for the renewal of an EDO certification (FORM-EDO-R)
2. A copy of the EDO practical examination that you successfully completed within the past 12 months and that was administered by an authorized examiner (sample EDO practical examination)
3. If you are currently employed as a certified EDO, a completed CNSC EDO employer attestation form (FORM-EDO-R-A)
4. If you completed the EDO written examination as an alternative to working continuously in gamma radiography, a copy of a letter from NRCan stating you successfully completed the EDO written examination

There is no fee for renewal of an EDO certification.

Submit via email, mail or fax

Email: forms-formulaires@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca

Mail:
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Personnel Certification Division
P.O. Box 1046, Station B
280 Slater Street
Ottawa, ON  K1P 5S9

Fax: 613-995-5086

When to apply

Certified EDOs should apply for renewal within 6 months of their certificate expiry date. It is important to apply no later than 60 days (i.e., 2 months) before the expiry date. Applications received within 60 days of expiry may not be processed by the expiry date.

Note: Submitting an application does not extend the expiration of an EDO certification. If your certification expires while waiting for the certification decision from the CNSC, you must work under the supervision of a certified EDO with a valid certification until you receive the CNSC's decision.

Eligibility for renewal

To be eligible for certification renewal, certified EDOs should:

• retain documentary evidence of, and attest to, continuous work as described below
• retain documentary evidence of and attest to at least 40 hours of EDO continuing training (CT)
• provide documentary evidence of successful completion of an EDO practical examination completed within the past 12 months
• have no unresolved orders or administrative monetary penalties issued by the CNSC
• have no medical condition that could unreasonably impair their ability to safely operate an exposure device

It is the responsibility of the certified EDO to initiate the renewal process by submitting an application for renewal.

Continuous work expectation

During the certificate validity period, certified EDOs should regularly perform work specific to the field of gamma radiography and the use of an exposure device to maintain the knowledge and skills required to safely operate an exposure device.

There are 2 streams of qualifying experiences that meet CNSC expectations for continuous work:

	Experience A	Experience B
Qualifying experience	The certified EDO has operated exposure devices for a minimum of 320 hours in the 2 years before the certificate expiry date.	The certified EDO is employed as a RSO, supervisor of EDOs, trainer of EDOs or an emergency responder for a CNSC licensee at the time of renewal.
Evidence	employer attestation work hours (work log to be submitted upon request)	position description (list of duties) employer attestation of employment in satisfactory position

Significant interruptions in work

Certified EDOs who return to duties after an absence of 12 or more months will follow the licensee’s/employer’s training program for workers following an absence (reinstatement training).

Licensees should detail the certified EDO’s completion of training, duties performed under supervision, practical examination or other reinstatement process to their satisfaction. It is the responsibility of the certified EDO and the licensee to document the reinstatement process and to provide the record to the CNSC at the time of certification renewal.

If a certified EDO does not complete or document reinstatement training following a significant interruption, they are expected to provide documentation of their successful completion of the EDO written examination to demonstrate that they have maintained the knowledge and skills required to safely operate exposure devices.

Continuing training (CT)

During the 5-year validity period, certified EDOs are expected to document satisfactory completion of at least 40 hours of CT (minimum of 5 hours per year) specific to the field of gamma radiography and the use of an exposure device. The following general guidelines apply:

• CT activities should be specifically related to the field of gamma radiography and the use of an exposure device.
• CT activities are counted in quarter hour (15 minutes) blocks of time at minimum.
• Each clock hour equals one CT activity hour; time for breaks or lunch is not included.
• No single activity should account for more than 50% of a certified EDO’s total CT hours.
• Examples of CT activities include conferences, workshops, seminars, developing EDO training, employee in-services, tool-box meetings, formal training courses and independent study.

Certified EDOs are expected to retain a log of the CT activities that they complete and documentation of each activity. The CNSC considers a signed record of completion, or a letter signed by a supervisor, attesting the certified EDO completed the CT session as documentation of the activity. A CT log is available.

If a certified EDO has not completed 40 hours of CT during the 5-year validity period of their EDO certification, they should email the CNSC EDO to discuss possible alternatives.

Practical examination

Certified EDOs must provide documentary evidence of successful completion of the EDO practical examination when applying for renewal of their certification.

The CNSC expects that the practical examination will be administered by either:

1. a certified EDO who administers examinations at an NRCan Authorized Examination Centre, or
2. a certified EDO who has been certified for at least 5 years, or
3. a certified EDO who has been certified for less than 5 years and has been authorized by their licensed employer to conduct practical examinations

Practical examinations may be administered at any facility that is licensed by the CNSC to carry out applicable activities related to nuclear substances and radiation devices.

Certified EDOs who fail the EDO practical examination must cease performing duties until they successfully complete an EDO practical examination.

In the CNSC’s opinion, certified EDOs who fail the EDO practical examination on three consecutive attempts do not have the knowledge and skills required to safely operate exposure devices. As a result, the CNSC expects those individuals to perform duties under direct and continuous supervision of a certified EDO for 160 documented hours prior to attempting the practical examination for a fourth time.

Lapsed/expired EDO certification

The CNSC expects certified EDOs will renew their certification before the expiration date has lapsed. Operators with a lapsed EDO certification may still apply for renewal within the 12-month period following their expiry date.

A lapsed EDO certification is invalid. Operators with lapsed certifications must revert to working as an EDO trainee under the direct and continuous supervision of a certified EDO.

The CNSC expects applicants who do not submit renewal applications within 12 months of their certification expiry date to start over the certification process with initial certification.