Abstract To survey the whole-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET-CT) examinations in Jiangsu Province and establish the diagnostic reference levels (DRL). A total of nine hospitals in southern, central and northern Jiangsu Provinces were selected. Activity duration product (ADP), activity per body weight (AW), dose-length product (DLP) and total effective dose (ET) were choosen to establish DRLs for whole-body PET-CT examinations. DRL and achievable dose (AD) were calculated according to International Commission on Radiological Protection report. The conversion coefficient method was used to calculate the ET induced by PET-CT whole-body imaging. DRLs of whole-body PET-CT examinations in Jiangsu Province were set to be 922 mGy·cm (DLP), 4453 MBq.min (ADP), 5.22 MBq.kg−1(AW), 19.8 mSv (ET). The ET for whole-body PET-CT examinations is higher than other countries. The effective dose from radionuclides (EF) in female patients is lower than that in male patients. Effective doses from CT(ECT), ET and ECT/ET in female patients are higher than that in male patients (P < 0.01). Provincial DRLs are established for four radiation metrics in whole-body PET-CT examinations. DRL of AW in whole-body PET-CT examinations is at the medium level, and DLP is higher than that reported in most literature, which has the potential to be further reduced.