Attached as Appendix C is a sample license typical of those authorizing the teletherapy use of radioactive material. The license contains conditions affecting the basic elements of facility design and specifies the conditions under which the teletherapy facility must be operated. Careful review of these conditions will assist in the preparation of the application.

Among other things, the license conditions require that the facility be constructed and operated in a manner assuring compliance with Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 20 (10 CFR 20), "Standards for Protection Against Radiation," which is attached as Appendix A. Section 20.105(b) is of particular importance in considering the shielding requirements for the teletherapy room.

The Commission's requirements pertaining to teletherapy devices and sources are based on the recommendations of the National Committee on Radiation Protection and Measurements as contained in National Bureau of Standards Handbook 73, "Protection Against Radiations From Sealed Gamma Sources," Section 5, "Medical Applications-Teletherapy." (Handbook 73 may be purchased for 30 cents from the Superintendent of Documents, Washington D.C. 20402.)

The Commission includes in its review of teletherapy applications (a) the design of the teletherapy source, machine, and room shielding to determine conformance with the requirements specified above; (b) the applicant's shielding calculations; and (c) adequacy of facility components such as the patient viewing system, wiring of door interlocks, and beam orientation limits. It is not necessary to be licensed by the Commission before starting construction of the teletherapy treatment room, but it is advisable.

Although the Commission may make a determination that a proposed teletherapy facility may be constructed and operated so as to protect the health and safety of the public, it is the licensee's responsibility to maintain compliance with the Commission's requirements, including 10 CFR 20 and the conditions of the license. Shortly after a teletherapy program is in operation following issuance of a license, the Commission reviews the report of survey results submitted pursuant to the requirements of the license and inspects the facility to determine compliance with the regulations and the license conditions. If the installation as constructed does not meet these requirements, the licensee may be required to make appropriate modifications to the facility.