California Limited X-Ray Exam Prep: Limited Permit X-Ray Technician
ARRT Limited Scope examPartly confirmed: check details with your state board
California at a glance
- Credential
- Limited Permit X-ray Technician (CDPH Radiologic Health Branch)
- Exam
- ARRT Examination for the Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography
- Exam sections
- Core, Chest, Extremities, Skull/Sinuses, Spine and Podiatric
- Pass mark
- Not published; we prep you to 75% on every section
- Research checked
- November 6, 2026
California's limited X-ray rules
California's Department of Public Health (Radiologic Health Branch) issues Limited Permit X-ray Technician permits by category. 17 CCR 30443 lists the scopes: chest, extremities, leg-podiatric, skull, torso-skeletal, DEXA, dental laboratory and podiatric.
You must pass a Department-approved radiation protection exam (the Core) plus an exam for each category you want (17 CCR 30444). The exams are taken through ARRT, which has a California section on its state exam site.
Torso-Skeletal (shoulder girdle, ribs and sternum, spine, pelvis and hips) and Leg-Podiatric (knee down) are California-only categories. Which ARRT module tests each of them isn't confirmed on an official page, so check with CDPH.
Worth knowing
- Application CDPH 8232: Radiation Protection (Core) alone, or Core plus one or more categories; the fee is per category.
- DEXA is a separate permit with its own application.
- CDPH publishes a pass-rate report for California X-ray schools.
Some of California's details aren't stated on an official page we could read. Check with your state board before you apply or register for an exam.
What you'll study for California
Choose California when you sign up and your practice questions, micro lessons and timed mock exams cover the core and the chest, extremities, skull/sinuses, spine and podiatric modules, with nothing from modules California doesn't use. Mock exams are weighted like the real one and scored section by section; we call you ready at 75% on every section.
| Section | Practice questions | Micro lessons |
|---|---|---|
| Core (patient care, radiation safety, image production) | 1,806 | 132 |
| Chest | 242 | 11 |
| Extremities | 718 | 41 |
| Skull/Sinuses | 134 | 10 |
| Spine | 232 | 12 |
| Podiatric | 148 | 10 |
A question or lesson that fits two sections is counted in both.
Start free with California
Your state's modules and pass mark are set for you. One practice set per module every day and free micro lessons, no card needed.
Official sources for California
Where these facts come from. Rules change, so the board's own pages are the final word.
California limited X-ray FAQ
What is the Torso-Skeletal permit in California?
Torso-Skeletal is a California-only limited permit category covering the shoulder girdle, ribs and sternum, spine, pelvis and hips. California uses it in place of a separate spine permit. The exact ARRT module used for it isn't confirmed on an official page, so check with CDPH.
Can I take just the radiation protection exam in California?
Yes. Application CDPH 8232 lets you choose Radiation Protection (Core) alone or the Core plus one or more categories, with a fee per category.
Which modules are on the California limited scope exam?
The core (patient care, radiation safety and image production) plus Chest, Extremities, Skull/Sinuses, Spine and Podiatric. You don't have to take every module: you take the core plus the ones for the body areas you want on your license. Parts of this aren't stated on an official page; confirm with the board before you register.
What score do I need to pass the California limited scope exam?
Not published; we prep you to 75% on every section. Limited X-Ray Prep only calls you ready once you reach 75% on every section. Check the current pass mark with your state board.
How do I study for the California Limited Permit X-Ray Technician exam with Limited X-Ray Prep?
Pick California when you create your free account. Your practice questions, micro lessons and timed mock exams then cover Core, Chest, Extremities, Skull/Sinuses, Spine and Podiatric, and your dashboard scores each section against California's pass mark.
More on limited scope X-ray
- ARRT Limited Scope Exam: What's on It and How to Pass
- Limited Scope Practice Test: 10 Free Questions with Answers
- LXMO: How to Become a Limited X-Ray Machine Operator
- Limited Permit X-Ray Technician vs Radiologic Technologist
- Limited X-ray license rules for every state
Other states using the ARRT Limited Scope exam
ArizonaArkansasColoradoDelawareFloridaIllinoisIndianaIowaKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMinnesotaMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNorth DakotaOregonPennsylvaniaTennesseeTexasUtahVirginiaWisconsinWyoming