| S.No. | Field / Checkpoint | Reference | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. EQUIPMENT REGISTRATION | |||
| A1 | Equipment type (X-ray, Co-60, radiotherapy, radiography source) Acceptance: Per equipment | Per AERB classification | OK NC NA |
| A2 | Equipment serial no. + make + model + activity (Ci/Bq for sealed sources) Acceptance: Logged | Per AERB regulation | OK NC NA |
| A3 | User / institution + RSO (Radiation Safety Officer) name + cert Acceptance: RSO certified | RSO mandatory for Cat-I/II | OK NC NA |
| B. LICENSING | |||
| B1 | AERB consent + license number + validity period Acceptance: Valid | 5-year cycle typical | OK NC NA |
| B2 | Renewal application 6 months before expiry Acceptance: Submitted | Per AERB procedure | OK NC NA |
| B3 | Annual report to AERB Acceptance: Submitted | Per AERB rules | OK NC NA |
| C. SAFETY + COMPLIANCE | |||
| C1 | Radiation survey + dose monitoring (TLD badges) Acceptance: Records kept | Per AERB Cl. 8 | OK NC NA |
| C2 | Disposal of decayed sources per AERB Acceptance: Per procedure | Per regulation | OK NC NA |
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) under the Atomic Energy Act 1962 regulates every radiation source in India — from diagnostic X-ray machines in clinics to industrial radiography sources to nuclear medicine. For construction project owners + operators, AERB licensing is mandatory for: - Hospitals + clinics with X-ray, CT, MRI, cath-lab, mammography - Cancer hospitals with Linac, Cobalt-60 teletherapy, brachytherapy - Industrial buildings with NDT radiography sources (Iridium-192, Cobalt-60) - Airports with baggage scanners + body scanners - Industrial plants with gauges (level, density, thickness) - Nuclear power facilities (different licensing process) - Pet centres + DEXA bone density scanners - R&D labs with research-isotope handling
Operating without valid AERB license: - Criminal offence under Atomic Energy Act + Radiation Protection Rules - Imprisonment up to 5 years + heavy fines - Equipment seizure by AERB enforcement - Closure orders by regulator - Insurance void (radiation incidents not covered without license) - Workmen's Compensation challenges for radiation-exposure claims
The AERB License Tracker is the operator's master document for every regulated source / equipment, ensuring license validity, renewals, dose records, and compliance with AERB safety standards (SS-1 to SS-7 series).
Equipment categorisation (AERB Safety Code AERB/RF-MED/SC-1):
Category I — Highest risk (sealed sources > 100 GBq / 2.7 Ci): - Cobalt-60 teletherapy units - Cesium-137 blood irradiators - Industrial radiography sources (Ir-192, Co-60) - Calibration sources - License: 1-5 years; rigorous review
Category II — High risk (sealed sources 10 GBq to 100 GBq): - Brachytherapy sources - Some industrial gauges - License: 1-5 years
Category III — Moderate risk (sources 0.1 GBq to 10 GBq): - Low-energy industrial gauges - Some research applications - License: 5 years
X-ray category (separate from sealed-source): - Diagnostic X-ray: dental + chest + mammography + fluoroscopy + CT + cath-lab - Therapeutic X-ray: Linac (linear accelerator) > 50 kV - Industrial X-ray: NDT pipeline, casting inspection
License process:
Step 1 — eLORA registration: - Register on eLORA portal (https://elora.aerb.gov.in) - Establishment details, RSO details - Equipment list + suppliers
Step 2 — Pre-installation approval: - Submit room plan with shielding calculations - Lead thickness or concrete thickness for walls / doors / ceilings - Workload + occupancy factors - Dose calculations at adjacent rooms - AERB review + clearance
Step 3 — Installation + RPP (Radiation Protection Programme): - Install per approved plans - RPP document covering safe operating procedures - Emergency response plan - Training records
Step 4 — Commissioning + survey: - AERB-empanelled agency conducts radiation survey - Quality assurance tests on equipment - Submit QA report
Step 5 — License grant: - License number assigned - Validity period (1-5 years) - Conditions for operation
Step 6 — Ongoing compliance: - TLD (Thermoluminescent Dosimeter) badges for all radiation workers — quarterly monitoring - Annual report to AERB via eLORA - Periodic QA of equipment (calibration, output, accuracy) - Source replacement as half-life dictates (Co-60 every 5-7 years for teletherapy) - Decay management — disposal of expired sources per AERB procedure - RSO (Radiation Safety Officer) mandatory — Level III RSO for Cat I + II - Worker training + refresher courses - Renewal application 6 months before license expiry
1. Operating without license — equipment installed + used before AERB approval; criminal offence; AERB enforcement during routine inspection.
2. Lapsed license not renewed — 5-year license; renewal application not made 6 months prior; operation continues during gap; non-compliance period.
3. No RSO designation — equipment requires RSO but no designated person; RSO certified but resigned + replacement not nominated.
4. Shielding not as approved — installation deviated from approved plans (cheaper materials, thinner shielding); survey identifies excess dose; immediate stop.
5. TLD badges not procured / worn — workers exposed without monitoring; annual exposure records missing; AERB audit fails.
6. Annual report not filed — eLORA portal silent; AERB issues notice; license suspension.
7. Source decay not accounted — Co-60 source dosimetry uses original activity; actual reduced activity gives wrong treatment; clinical incidents.
8. Source disposal not via AERB-approved route — expired source sent to scrap; serious radiological accident risk; legal liability.
9. Equipment QA missed — annual output check not done; equipment drift; doses wrong for years.
10. Unauthorised modifications — equipment relocated or repaired by non-approved technician; AERB not informed.
11. Wrong category declared — equipment activity higher than declared; under-licensed; serious violation.
12. Imported equipment without AERB clearance — Customs released after AERB; never registered post-installation.
13. Personnel exposure exceeded limits — radiation worker exceeds 20 mSv / year annual limit; AERB review; restricted duty.
14. Emergency response plan absent / outdated — fire / source loss / contamination scenarios not planned; staff unable to respond.
15. Linked Building Plan permits ignored — building bye-laws also require structural approval for radiation rooms; only AERB obtained; ULB issues notice.
Companion formats: - Factory License Application (FMT-STA-007) — for industrial radiography sites - Pollution NOC (FMT-STA-006) - Building Completion Certificate (FMT-STA-004) — AERB clearance is OC prerequisite for radiation buildings - Calibration Register (PMC-EQP-LOG-004) — equipment QA tracking
Regulatory framework: - Atomic Energy Act 1962 — primary statute - Atomic Energy (Radiation Protection) Rules 2004 — operational rules - AERB Safety Standards (SS-1 to SS-7) — comprehensive standards - AERB Safety Codes — facility-type specific (medical / industrial / research) - AERB Safety Guides + Manuals — implementation guidance - eLORA Portal — https://elora.aerb.gov.in (online licensing system) - ICRP Publication 103 — International Commission on Radiological Protection recommendations (referenced) - IAEA Safety Standards — internationally aligned - Workmen's Compensation Act 1923 — for occupational radiation injuries - Indian Radiological + Imaging Association (IRIA) — professional body for practitioners