Whether you run a diagnostic center, medical facility, production center, or research house that deals with devices emitting radiation (whether Gamma or X-ray), securing AERB registration is a must. The complexity of this license increases with the intensity of radiation of your devices or facility. AERB stands for Atomic Energy Research Board. It is an apex government body that regulates a wide range of radiation-prone devices. Let’s take a closer look at this mandatory permit, who must secure it, the application process, and the documents.
What is an AERB Registration?
AERB Registration refers to a mandatory permit issued by the government body, viz. Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) of India. It applies to a wide range of applicants, including manufacturers, suppliers, importers, and facilities that use radiation-emitting devices or radioactive materials.
The Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and the Atomic Energy (Radiation Protection) Rules, 2004 mandate securing this license through the AERB’s eLORA (e-Licensing of Radiation Applications) portal
Who Must Apply For an AERB Registration?
This section navigates the potential applicants who fall under the ambit of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and the Atomic Energy (Radiation Protection) Rules, 2004:
- Medical and healthcare facilities dealing with
- X-ray machines
- CT scanners
- Mammography units
- Cath Labs (Interventional Radiology)
- C-arm machines
- Linear Accelerators (LINAC)
- Tele-gamma units
- Brachytherapy equipment
- Intraoral and OPG (Orthopantomogram)
- Dental X-ray machines.
- Nuclear Medicine Departments & RIA Laboratories dealing with
- PET-CT scanners
- Gamma cameras
- Radioimmunoassay (RIA) kits.
- Industrial Facility and Production houses dealing with
- Gamma radiography exposure devices (using isotopes like Iridium-192 or Cobalt-60)
- Industrial X-ray units.
- Level gauges
- Thickness gauges
- Moisture-density gauges.
- Gamma Irradiators and Electron Beam Accelerators
- Research facilities dealing with
- Analytical X-ray diffractometers (XRD/XRF),
- Research particle accelerators
- Small gamma irradiation chambers
- Importers and Suppliers dealing with
- X-ray
- CT machine
Navigating Legal Norms of AERB Registration
- Operating radiation equipment without an AERB license is a punitive offence, leading to seizure of operation or halt of production.
- Facilities must have proper infrastructure to control the radiation (e.g., lead-lined walls, concrete thickness).
- Medical facilities must appoint a certified Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) and employ qualified professionals. All professionals must wear a TLD (Thermoluminescent Dosimeter) badge.
- Every piece of equipment must undergo periodic Quality Assurance (QA) testing to demonstrate its safety and exact radiation-emitting characteristics.
A 2026 Process to Secure the AERB License
Now that you have understood “what” and “why” of this license, let’s navigate the phase-wise process of securing the same:
Phase 1: Create an eLORA Account
- Go to the official AERB eLORA website.
- Click on “Register Institute” and fill out the detailed electronic form.
- You will need to upload essential legal documents, such as:
- Proof of identity and address of the institution (e.g., Pan Card, GST Registration, or Trade License).
- Proof of identity of the Employer (the head of the institute or authorized signatory).
- The AERB will verify your submitted documents.
Once approved, the login ID and password will be sent to the Employer’s registered email address. This account will serve as your permanent portal for all future radiation safety approvals.
Phase 2: Site & Layout Approval (Pre-Installation)
- You must upload a scaled architectural drawing of the room where the radiation equipment will be housed.
- The drawing must clearly show:
- The position of the machine and the control console.
- The material and thickness of the walls, doors, and windows (e.g., 23 cm brick wall or 2 mm lead lining).
- What lies immediately outside the walls (e.g., a public corridor, an open street, or another clinic room) to ensure public safety.
- AERB reviews the layout to ensure that the structural shielding is sufficient to block radiation from leaking into surrounding areas.
- Once approved, you are granted permission to physically install the machine.
Phase 3: Procurement & Installation
- Purchase the equipment from an AERB-authorized supplier. Ensure the specific model has a valid AERB Type Approval.
- Crucial Requirement: Before the machine is turned on, you must procure TLD (Thermoluminescent Dosimeter) badges from an accredited laboratory for all technicians who will operate the machine to monitor their radiation exposure.
- Every institute must nominate an eligible staff member (or the employer themselves, if qualified) to act as the RSO.
- Submit an RSO Approval Application through eLORA, attaching their professional qualifications and safety training certificates.
Phase 4: Quality Assurance & Final Registration
- Once the machine is physically installed, a certified third-party QA agency must visit your site.
- They will test the machine to ensure it emits the exact radiation doses intended and that there is no structural leakage. They will issue a QA Report.
- Log in to eLORA[1] and fill out the application form for Registration / Licence to Operate.
- You will be required to upload:
- The fresh QA Report.
- Details of the approved RSO.
- Details of the TLD badges assigned to your staff.
- The AERB evaluates the final application. If all safety metrics, shielding profiles, and QA tests pass inspection, the AERB will issue the Registration Certificate via the eLORA portal.
- You must download this certificate, print it, and prominently display it near the equipment or on the radiation room door.
AERB Registration is a must-have legal permit, without which dealing with radiation-emitting is not possible. The process for securing this license is structured. Yet, many applicants encounter legal hassles, leading to rejection. That’s where Advisou comes in. With years of licensing experience and a team of seasoned legal consultants, Advisou promises seamless registration from the ground up for nationwide clients. Contact us now to book a free consultation.
Also Read: CAPEXIL Certificate: A Legal Permit to Boost Chemical Export Globally
