Washington state law requires x-ray technicians to complete training on the topic of HIV / AIDS as a part of their registration process. All health-related professions under the disciplinary authority of the Washington state Uniform Disciplinary Act (RCW 18.130) are affected, with different numbers of hours being required for different specialties that have different risk factors:

  • chiropractic x-ray technicians:  4 hours
  • medical and other x-ray technicians:  7 hours

This training is separate from the 48 hours of classroom training required to learn how to take x-rays.

We recommend that you begin searching for a source of this HIV / AIDS training at the beginning of your IRT course, so that you will have completed the HIV training by the time you have completed the 48-hour x-ray training. You’ll need to submit the HIV / AIDS training voucher as part of your x-ray technician application.

There is no significant risk factor for limited x-ray technicians taking x-rays in private health care facilities — particularly in chiropractic offices — and so the requirements for HIV / AIDS training are quite easy to meet, and various options are considered quite broadly.

Past training may qualify

If you have completed a general health or first aid class during your schooling that contained at
least 4 ( or 7) hours of material on HIV / AIDS, a course instructor or advisor can certify to the attendance.

This applies to any HIV / AIDS training since 1988.

Check for possible local courses:

  • Public Health Organizations
  • American Red Cross, Seattle-King County: (206) 323-2345
  • Fire Departments
  • Hospitals
  • Community Colleges

Internet:

Mail:

Anderson Continuing Education  1-800-532-2332

  • Home study courses
  • They send you a book, quiz, and Scantron
  • You send the Scantron back to be graded, and they send you a certificate of completion
  • Both 4 and 7-hour courses are available
  • Two or more people can share the book, and the cost is therefore less

Other:

If you know of another source of training, you’re free to use that. Any course that meets the 4- or 7-hour requirement is acceptable.

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