Cyclotron Info

Cyclotron law, state by state

Verified August 2026

Particle accelerators are regulated almost entirely by state radiation-control programs (see the overview for the federal layer and background). This survey covers all 50 states plus the District of Columbia: how each jurisdiction defines "particle accelerator," whether a small machine falls within that definition, whether the state registers or licenses machines, and how its incidental-radiation exemption is worded — each with its citation.

The map reads each state's definition against a small, fully enclosed, sub-MeV machine — the archetypal amateur or teaching cyclotron, whose beam terminates inside its own vacuum chamber. "Arguably outside" is a reading of the definitional text, not a determination: the model definition's "usually in excess of 1 MeV" is soft language, and classification is ultimately the state agency's call. In nearly all states the machine remains a registrable generic radiation machine either way.

AL Alabama — Ambiguous — turns on agency reading AK Alaska — Captured — accelerator/machine rules apply AZ Arizona — Ambiguous — turns on agency reading AR Arkansas — Ambiguous — turns on agency reading CA California — Captured — accelerator/machine rules apply CO Colorado — Ambiguous — turns on agency reading CT Connecticut — Captured — accelerator/machine rules apply DE Delaware — Arguably outside the accelerator definition DC District of Columbia — Ambiguous — turns on agency reading FL Florida — Arguably outside the accelerator definition GA Georgia — Ambiguous — turns on agency reading HI Hawaii — Arguably outside the accelerator definition ID Idaho — No program reaches it IL Illinois — Captured — accelerator/machine rules apply IN Indiana — Arguably outside the accelerator definition IA Iowa — Ambiguous — turns on agency reading KS Kansas — Arguably outside the accelerator definition KY Kentucky — Arguably outside the accelerator definition LA Louisiana — Arguably outside the accelerator definition ME Maine — Arguably outside the accelerator definition MD Maryland — Ambiguous — turns on agency reading MA Massachusetts — Arguably outside the accelerator definition MI Michigan — Ambiguous — turns on agency reading MN Minnesota — Arguably outside the accelerator definition MS Mississippi — Arguably outside the accelerator definition MO Missouri — Captured — accelerator/machine rules apply MT Montana — Arguably outside the accelerator definition NE Nebraska — Arguably outside the accelerator definition NV Nevada — Arguably outside the accelerator definition NH New Hampshire — Ambiguous — turns on agency reading NJ New Jersey — Captured — accelerator/machine rules apply NM New Mexico — Ambiguous — turns on agency reading NY New York — Arguably outside the accelerator definition NC North Carolina — Ambiguous — turns on agency reading ND North Dakota — Captured — accelerator/machine rules apply OH Ohio — Captured — accelerator/machine rules apply OK Oklahoma — Ambiguous — turns on agency reading OR Oregon — Arguably outside the accelerator definition PA Pennsylvania — Arguably outside the accelerator definition RI Rhode Island — Captured — accelerator/machine rules apply SC South Carolina — Arguably outside the accelerator definition SD South Dakota — Captured — accelerator/machine rules apply TN Tennessee — Captured — accelerator/machine rules apply TX Texas — Arguably outside the accelerator definition UT Utah — Ambiguous — turns on agency reading VT Vermont — Captured — accelerator/machine rules apply VA Virginia — Arguably outside the accelerator definition WA Washington — Arguably outside the accelerator definition WV West Virginia — Arguably outside the accelerator definition WI Wisconsin — Arguably outside the accelerator definition WY Wyoming — No program reaches it
Accelerator definition & citation Incidental exemption Notes (as verified Aug 2026)
Alabama Ambiguous CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-3-26-.01(2)(a)3		 Registration 420-3-26-.08(5)(b) — “not primarily intended” variant CRCPD-model definition; accelerators need a Notice of Registration (.08(2)) with no energy threshold in the operative rule; the exemption clause is written for equipment not primarily intended to produce radiation.
Alaska Captured No accelerator definition — generic radiation-machine rules
7 AAC 18.990; registration under 7 AAC 18.110		 Registration 7 AAC 18.125(b)(6) — 0.5 rem/yr shielding-removed variant No accelerator definition anywhere in the chapter; an accelerator is captured as a generic “device capable of producing ionizing radiation” and registered.
Arizona Ambiguous CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
Ariz. Admin. Code R9-7-102		 Registration R9-7-201 exemptions — “for other purposes” lead-in CRCPD-model definition; radiation machines register with ARRA; installers and servicers register separately (R9-7-203).
Arkansas Ambiguous CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
Rules for Control of Sources of Ionizing Radiation, RH-200 (rev. eff. Sept. 2024)		 License (accelerators) RH-40.b — 0.5 rem/yr shielding-removed variant CRCPD-model definition, but machines that meet it are licensed rather than registered — one of the heavier state regimes if the definition is read to apply.
California Captured No accelerator definition — generic radiation-machine rules
17 CCR § 30100(p) (“radiation machine”); fee schedule § 30145(a)(1)(I)		 Registration (within 30 days) 17 CCR § 30125(a) — annual-dose variant, “for other purposes” lead-in “Particle accelerator” is never defined (it appears only in the ≥10 MeV fee schedule); the very broad “radiation machine” definition captures any accelerator, with registration due within 30 days of acquisition (§ 30108); § 30104 gives the department case-by-case exemption authority.
Colorado Ambiguous CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
6 CCR 1007-1, Part 1, § 1.2		 Registration 6 CCR 1007-1, Part 2, § 2.3 — “not primarily intended” variant CRCPD-model definition; registration, not licensing; sellers, installers, and servicers of radiation machines register separately (§ 2.4).
Connecticut Captured No accelerator definition — generic radiation-machine rules
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22a-148 (“source of ionizing radiation”)		 Registration (DEEP) Nonstandard — see statute; no CRCPD-style clause located No regulatory definition of “particle accelerator” exists; capture runs through the statutory “source of ionizing radiation,” and DEEP’s machine-registration program explicitly lists cyclotrons.
Delaware Arguably outside CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
16 Del. Admin. Code § 4465-A-2.0		 Registration 16 Del. Admin. Code § 4465-B-4.1 — “for other purposes” lead-in CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause plus “usually in excess of 1 MeV”); a small closed-beam machine is arguably outside it and falls to generic radiation-machine registration.
District of Columbia Ambiguous CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
DC Regulations for the Control of Radiation, Part A, § A.2		 Registration Part B exemption clause — “for other purposes” lead-in Adopts the CRCPD model; DC Health operates a registration program for radiation machines (the model’s licensure brackets are preserved as an option).
Florida Arguably outside CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
Fla. Admin. Code 64E-5 (accelerator registration at 64E-5.801)		 Registration 64E-5.511(1)(a) — 0.5 mrem/h clause Accelerator definition carries the “usually in excess of 1 MeV” language, but the broader radiation-machine definition still applies; machines register under 64E-5.511 and accelerators under 64E-5.801/.802.
Georgia Ambiguous CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 111-8-90-.01		 Registration r. 111-8-90-.02 — “for other purposes” lead-in CRCPD-model definition; radiation machines register; no seller/installer/servicer registration program was found.
Hawaii Arguably outside CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
HAR § 11-45-2		 License (all machines) HAR § 11-45-18(a)(1) — “for other purposes” lead-in CRCPD-model accelerator definition, but Hawaii licenses all non-exempt radiation machines — the application is due 60 days before purchase or acquisition (HAR § 11-45-22(a)) — one of the heaviest machine regimes surveyed.
Idaho No program No applicable machine program
IDAPA 16.02.27 (eff. 7/1/2026) — X-ray machines only		 X-ray program only None — no incidental-radiation clause in the current chapter The current chapter, completely rewritten effective July 2026, regulates only X-ray machines; “particle accelerator” never appears and there is no general radiation-machine program.
Illinois Captured Broad definition — no floor, no extraction clause
32 Ill. Adm. Code 390.20		 Registration Parts 320/340 exemption clauses Part 390 reaches “any device other than an x-ray machine that emits ionizing radiation as a result of the acceleration of charged particles” — no energy floor; the consequence is registration (Illinois licenses only radioactive material), with installers and servicers registered under Part 322.
Indiana Arguably outside CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
410 IAC 5-1-2		 Registration 410 IAC 5-2-3(a) — “for other purposes” lead-in CRCPD-model definition; a small closed-beam machine is arguably outside it; radiation machines register with no separate vendor-registration scheme.
Iowa Ambiguous CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
Iowa Admin. Code 641—37.2 (recodified from 641—39, eff. 7/29/2026)		 Registration 641—37.8(1)“a”(1) — “for other purposes” lead-in CRCPD-model definition; registration (a license only if radioactive material is produced); the chapter was recodified in 2026 — older citations to 641—39 are stale.
Kansas Arguably outside CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
K.A.R. 28-35-135p		 Registration K.A.R. 28-35-162(a) — “for other purposes” lead-in CRCPD-model definition; registration with a vendor notification (not full registration) requirement.
Kentucky Arguably outside CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
902 KAR 100:010, Section 1(3)		 Registration 902 KAR 100:110, Section 5(1)(a) — “for other purposes” lead-in CRCPD-model definition; radiation machines register, and distributors/installers register as vendors (100:110 § 4).
Louisiana Arguably outside CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
LAC 33:XV.102		 Registration (licensing provisions also exist) LAC 33:XV.203.A — “for other purposes” lead-in CRCPD-model definition; machine registration plus installer registration (LAC 33:XV.205).
Maine Arguably outside CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
10-144 C.M.R. ch. 220, Part A, § A.2		 License (accelerators) Part F, § F.3.D(1) — “for other purposes” lead-in CRCPD-model definition, but accelerators that meet it are licensed, and the registration part is written around X-ray machines — leaving low-energy particle machines in a residual gap.
Maryland Ambiguous CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
COMAR 26.12.01.01 (incorporating Part A, § A.2, 1994 regs)		 Registration Incorporated Part B, § B.3(a) — “for other purposes” lead-in Maryland incorporates the CRCPD model by reference; radiation machines register.
Massachusetts Arguably outside CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
105 CMR 120.005		 Registration 105 CMR 120.023(A) — “for other purposes” lead-in Verbatim CRCPD definition; the 120.700-series accelerator overlay (RSO, safety committee, operator training) is definition-gated, so a machine outside the definition falls to generic registration.
Michigan Ambiguous Firm 1 MeV floor
Mich. Admin. Code R 333.5432 (firm “in excess of 1 MeV”)		 Registration R 333.5033(1) — “for other purposes” lead-in The accelerator part carries a firm 1 MeV floor, so sub-MeV machines are cleanly outside it; the generic radiation-machine definition (R 333.5010(3)) still applies, with registration and the R 333.5033 exemption analysis.
Minnesota Arguably outside CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
Minn. R. 4732.0110, subp. 4		 Registration None — no incidental-radiation clause exists CRCPD-model definition; equipment registration is routine but certain — Minnesota has no incidental-radiation exemption to argue.
Mississippi Arguably outside CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
15 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 21, Subpt. 78, Ch. 1, Rule 1.1.2		 Registration Rule 1.2.3 — “for other purposes” lead-in CRCPD-model definition; radiation machines register.
Missouri Captured No accelerator definition — generic radiation-machine rules
19 CSR 20-10.010(21) (“radiation machine”)		 Registration 19 CSR 20-10.020(1)(B) — 0.5 rem/yr shielding-removed variant “Particle accelerator” is never defined or even mentioned; an accelerator is captured as a generic radiation machine and registered.
Montana Arguably outside CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
ARM 37.14.102(30)		 Registration ARM 37.14.306(1) — “for other purposes” lead-in CRCPD-model definition; radiation machines register; no vendor-registration program was found.
Nebraska Arguably outside CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
180 NAC 1-002 (“Accelerator”)		 Registration 180 NAC 2-003.01 — “for other purposes” lead-in CRCPD-model definition; radiation-generating equipment registers, with out-of-state equipment on three working days’ notice.
Nevada Arguably outside CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
NAC 459.056		 Registration (≤9 MeV); license above NAC 459.152 — 0.5 mrem/h clause Verbatim CRCPD definition (confirmed against the current NAC); the strict accelerator-authorization rule is definition-gated; machines up to 9 MeV register (NAC 459.742) and installers must hold state certificates (NAC 459.154/.156).
New Hampshire Ambiguous CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
N.H. Admin. Code He-P 4003.01(de)		 Registration He-P 4040.06(a) — favorable lead-in (no “for other purposes”) CRCPD-model definition; the exemption lead-in reads simply “radiation incidental to its operation” — one of the few textually favorable wordings surveyed.
New Jersey Captured Extraction clause, no energy floor
N.J.A.C. 7:28-20.2		 Registration N.J.A.C. 7:28-3.2(b) — exemption requires ≤5 kVp operating potential The definition expressly names cyclotrons and has no energy floor; New Jersey registers even electron microscopes, and the machine exemption additionally requires an operating potential of 5 kVp or less — internal dee voltages typically exceed that.
New Mexico Ambiguous CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
20.3.1.7 NMAC (“particle accelerator”)		 Registration 20.3.2.201.A NMAC — “for other purposes” lead-in CRCPD-model definition; machines that do not produce radioactive material register, and service providers register separately (20.3.2.204 NMAC).
New York Arguably outside CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
10 NYCRR 16.2(a)(81)		 Registration 10 NYCRR 16.4 / Appendix 16-A — list-based; accelerators not listed CRCPD-model definition under the State Sanitary Code; exemptions are a fixed list (Appendix 16-A) that does not include accelerators, so registration is the expected outcome; a mobile unit can itself be the registered “radiation installation.”
North Carolina Ambiguous No accelerator definition — generic radiation-machine rules
10A NCAC 15 .0902 (term undefined after the 2025 readoptions)		 License (accelerators); registration (.0800 RGDs) 10A NCAC 15 .0202(a) — 0.5 rem/yr shielding-removed variant The 2025 rule readoptions left “particle accelerator” undefined while .0902 flatly licenses accelerators; the .0800 section separately registers radiation-generating devices in the 5 keV–1 MeV band (ion implanters register there in practice) — classification is genuinely ambiguous and turns on a written agency determination.
North Dakota Captured No accelerator definition — generic radiation-machine rules
NDAC 33.1-10 (accelerator chapter; term never defined)		 Registration NDAC 33.1-10-02-02(1) — “for other purposes” lead-in An accelerator chapter exists but never defines the term, so ordinary meaning governs and an accelerator is captured; registration, not licensing.
Ohio Captured CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
OAC 3701:1-38-01; registration attaches to “radiation-generating equipment” generally		 Registration OAC 3701:1-38-03(D)(1) — incidental clause The accelerator definition is the CRCPD model, but Ohio’s registration duty attaches to radiation-generating equipment generally, so an accelerator is captured regardless of the definitional argument; persons who transfer, service, or install (“handlers”) must also register (3701:1-38-03(I)).
Oklahoma Ambiguous CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
OAC 252:410-1-2		 Permit + registration OAC 252:410-3-2(b)(1) — “for other purposes” lead-in CRCPD-model definition; Oklahoma DEQ issues radiation-machine operating permits (fixed terms up to ten years) alongside registration, with assembler/transferor obligations at 252:410-3-6.
Oregon Arguably outside CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
OAR 333-100-0005		 Registration OAR 333-101-0010(1) — “for other purposes” lead-in CRCPD-model definition; machines register while service providers are licensed.
Pennsylvania Arguably outside CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
25 Pa. Code § 228.2 (as amended Aug. 11, 2023, 53 Pa.B. 4977)		 Registration (Ch. 216); accelerators licensed (Ch. 228) § 216.3(1) — “for other purposes” lead-in; EMs/EB welders expressly carved out The former 0.1 MeV proton floor was repealed in August 2023 in favor of the verbatim CRCPD model — older mirrors still show the repealed text; machines meeting the definition are specifically licensed (§ 228.21a), others register under Ch. 216; in practice sub-MeV ion implanters have been licensed, so a written DEP classification is the reliable path.
Rhode Island Captured No accelerator definition — generic radiation-machine rules
216-RICR-40-20-13 § 13.3.1 (term undefined anywhere in the RICR)		 Registration 216-RICR-40-20-3 § 3.3(B)(1) — “for other purposes” lead-in No definition of “particle accelerator” exists anywhere in the current RICR, so ordinary meaning governs and Part 13’s flat authorization requirement captures accelerators — no energy floor or extraction clause to argue from.
South Carolina Arguably outside Extraction clause, no energy floor
R.61-65 RHC 8.21		 Registration (R.61-64) R.61-64 RHB 2.2.1 — 0.5 mrem/h clause The definition turns on discharging particles “into a medium external to the accelerating device” with no energy floor — a machine whose beam terminates inside the vacuum chamber is arguably outside it; machines register, and sellers/installers register in two classes (RHB 2.6/2.7); no reciprocity agreements are in effect.
South Dakota Captured No accelerator definition — generic radiation-machine rules
ARSD 44:03 (no accelerator definition)		 License (radiation machines) ARSD 44:03:01:06.01 — “for other purposes” lead-in No accelerator regime; South Dakota licenses radiation-producing devices rather than registering them — a heavier mechanism than most states.
Tennessee Captured Broad definition — no floor, no extraction clause
Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0400-20-04-.04(1)(fff)		 Certified registration (pre-approval) 0400-20-10-.07(1)(b) — 0.5 rem/yr shielding-removed variant “Any device used to impart kinetic energy to electrically charged particles” — no energy floor, no extraction clause (the 0.9 MeV/extraction language is an inclusion, not a limit); accelerators need certified registration with agency pre-approval before operation, and “cyclotron” is separately defined.
Texas Arguably outside CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
25 TAC § 289.231(c)(46)		 Registration (§ 289.226) § 289.226(d)(1) — “for other purposes” lead-in; electron microscopes expressly exempt at (d)(5) “Designed to discharge … usually in excess of 1 MeV”; the § 289.229 accelerator rules are definition-gated, so a machine designed not to discharge falls to generic registration under § 289.226, which also covers services and mobile authorization.
Utah Ambiguous CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
Utah Admin. Code R313-12-3		 Registration (annual) R313-16-220 — “for other purposes” lead-in CRCPD-model definition; annual registration with fees, plus servicing notification (R313-16-233).
Vermont Captured No accelerator definition — generic radiation-machine rules
Radiological Health Rule (“radiation machine … includes any accelerator”; term never defined)		 Registration Part A, § 4.1.4 — “for other purposes” lead-in The rule states that “radiation machine … includes any accelerator” without ever defining the term, so an accelerator is captured and the accelerator sections apply; registration, not licensing.
Virginia Arguably outside CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
12VAC5-481-10		 Registration 12VAC5-481-270.A — favorable lead-in (no “for other purposes”) CRCPD-model definition; the exemption lead-in reads simply “radiation incidental to its operation” — the most favorable wording surveyed, and Virginia practice exempts electron microscopes on it.
Washington Arguably outside CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
WAC 246-220-010		 Registration WAC 246-224-0020(1) — favorable, keyed to external emission below threshold CRCPD-model definition; the machine-facility exception is keyed to external emission below threshold, language well suited to fully enclosed machines; note a vehicle containing a machine is itself a radiation-machine facility (WAC 246-224-0010).
West Virginia Arguably outside CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
W. Va. Code R. § 64-23-3.61		 Registration § 64-23-5.2.a.5 — “for other purposes” lead-in CRCPD-model definition; radiation machines register.
Wisconsin Arguably outside CRCPD-model definition (extraction clause + “usually >1 MeV”)
Wis. Admin. Code DHS 157.03(5)		 Registration DHS 157.86(2)(a) — “for other purposes” lead-in CRCPD-model definition; registration, with temporary out-of-state use on written notice (DHS 157.86(3)).
Wyoming No program No applicable machine program
None — no radiation-machine program		 No program None — no machine regulations exist Wyoming has no radiation-machine regulatory program of any kind; the state radiological services program is advisory, not regulatory.

Method and caveats