NORM Licensing

There are three agencies responsible for regulating different aspects of NORM. The following is an attempt to clarify each agency's role, what regulations apply and whom to contact for more information or questions.

1. Texas Department of State Health Services, Radiation Control Program, Radiation Safety Licensing Branch

• Regulates receipt, possession, storage, use and treatment of NORM under 25 Texas Administrative Code §289.259 "Licensing of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material."

2. Railroad Commission of Texas

• Railroad Commission of Texas regulates the disposal of oil and gas NORM waste under 16 Texas Administrative Code, Title 16, Part 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter F, §4.601 - 4.632; "Disposal of Oil and Gas NORM Waste."Also see www.rrc.state.tx.us/. Performance of NORM decontamination, and disposal by the owner through on-site land farming and/or injection well disposal is under the RRC’s purview.

3. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)

• Regulates disposal of all NORM, except oil and gas. Their rules are currently in the developmental stage. For more information, see www.tceq.state.tx.us/.

Applications process for Mobile NORM Decontamination of Equipment under DSHS, includes submission of:

Application [RC252-2] and business information [RC252-1] forms found at: www.dshs.texas.gov/radiation/forms.shtm,

• Application fee for Mobile operations, limited to temporary job sites of $8,392.00 plus a $420.00 license surcharge for a total of $8,812.00 (Checks should be written to the Texas Department of State Health Services. For other options or combinations of uses, contact staff. Renewals will include a $20 Texas Online fee), and
• Operating, Safety and Emergency Procedures Manual, completed to the level of detail as outlined in the guidance document, "BRANCH TECHNICAL POSITION for the Preparation of an Application for Processing of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) and/or Decontamination of Equipment, Facilities and Land Contaminated with NORM." Note that applicable statutes can be found at www.dshs.texas.gov/radiation/rules.shtm in Sections 289.259, 252, 202, 257, 201, 204, 203, and 205.

For Questions Contact the Following Individuals

NORM Licensing 
Ray Fleming
(512) 834-6688 ext. 2206

NORM Compliance and Inspection
Eric Skotak
(512) 834-6688 ext. 2011