Radiation Protection and Health Physics Services

Hilltop Services provides health physics and radiation protection support to organizations that work with radioactive materials, radiation-producing devices, and emerging nuclear technologies. We work with established programs and with organizations building new ones. Hilltop Services seeks to partner with clients to include fusion startups, small modular reactor and advanced nuclear companies, industrial and medical licensees, research and academic programs, and other NRC or Agreement State licensees.

NRC & Agreement State Licensing Assistance

Organizations that possess radioactive materials or operate radiation-producing devices have to maintain programs that meet regulatory requirements, and update those programs as operations, ownership, and regulations change. Hilltop Services helps licensees and applicants develop, evaluate, and maintain radiation protection programs that meet those requirements for licensees under both NRC and Agreement State jurisdiction.

Licensing actions we support:

  • New license applications

  • License amendments

  • License renewals

  • Change of control and ownership transfer support

  • License exemption requests

  • Reciprocity filings for licensees working across state or federal jurisdiction

Program development support:

  • Radiation Safety Officer support

  • Radiation protection program development

  • Shielding calculations and facility design review

  • Site emergency procedure development

  • Regulatory correspondence and response support

  • Program audits and compliance assessments

  • Radiation safety procedures

  • Radioactive material authorization reviews

  • Radiation-producing device program support

  • Preparation for regulatory inspections

Fusion Startup Support

Radiation Protection for Fusion Facilities

Inertial confinement, pulsed power, and laser-driven fusion facilities don't fit the fission or magnetic-confinement regulatory playbook. Radiation arrives in pulses, not as a steady stream. Structural materials, targets, diagnostics, and other in-vessel hardware become activated over time. Tritium inventories require tight accountability. Shielding and dosimetry have to be designed around shot-by-shot dose rather than continuous exposure.

In February 2026, the NRC published a proposed rule to bring fusion machines under its existing byproduct materials framework (10 CFR Part 30), along with companion draft guidance built specifically for fusion machine licenses: NUREG-1556, Volume 22. Comments on the proposed rule are open through May 2026. Tritium accountability and activation products are drawing particular scrutiny in that framework.

Hilltop Services builds radiation protection programs for fusion companies working through these problems:

  • Radiation protection program development and implementation for fusion facilities

  • Operational radiation controls for pulsed, shot-based fusion operations

  • Activation and shielding evaluations for ICF, pulsed power, and laser-initiated fusion platforms

  • Tritium inventory and material accountability program design

  • Emergency procedure development for fusion-specific hazards

  • Licensing and regulatory preparation under the NRC's proposed fusion framework

Small Modular Reactor & Advanced Nuclear Support

New nuclear and advanced reactor companies need radiation protection programs that keep pace with facility design as it develops. Hilltop Services provides health physics and radiation protection support through program development, facility design, licensing, construction, commissioning, and operations.

Support can include:

  • Radiation protection program development for new and evolving reactor designs

  • Radiological design reviews

  • Shielding and radiation protection evaluations

  • Radiological work planning

  • Radiation monitoring and instrumentation programs

  • ALARA program development

  • Radiation protection procedures and technical bases

  • Worker training and qualification programs

  • Regulatory and licensing support

  • Program audits and readiness assessments

  • Radiation protection staffing and staff augmentation

Additional Health Physics Services

Hilltop also supports organizations operating radioactive material programs and radiation-producing devices, including industrial radiography, medical facilities, research institutions, academic programs, and other regulated users.

Services can include:

  • Radiation surveys

  • Radiological monitoring

  • Dosimetry program support

  • Radioactive material inventory and accountability

  • Source procurement and disposal support

  • Sealed source leak testing

  • Radiation safety training

  • Instrumentation and calibration program support

  • Radiological work planning

  • Radiation protection program audits

  • RSO and health physics staff augmentation

Need Additional Health Physics Support?

If you're building a radiation protection program from the ground up, preparing for licensing, expanding an existing operation, or need additional health physics personnel, Hilltop Services can help.

Contact Hilltop Services to discuss your radiation protection or health physics needs.

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