ASRT members, affiliates politically active in 2006: by now you might have heard how close Congress came to enacting the CARE bill and the outstanding work of ASRT's Grass-roots Network. The ASRT and its affiliate societies also take a proactive and aggressive approach in dealing with state legislative and regulatory issues.

In 2006 state affiliates tackled issues such as radiologic technologist licensure, fusion imaging permits, radiologist assistant recognition, revisions to existing state licensure laws and increased education and credentialing requirements for limited x-ray machine operators. These matters and other state-based practice issues are facing radiologic technologist licensure boards, state legislators and other regulators in 2007.

In the Statehouses

In 2006 ASRT state affiliate societies worked on bills to establish radiography, radiation therapy and nuclear medicine technology licensure in Alaska, South Dakota, Minnesota, Missouri and Michigan. Despite the best efforts of radiologic technologist advocates in those states, these legislative efforts did not come to fruition. Missouri's licensure bill missed passing by a few hours. In New York, a bill allowing licensed radiologic technologists to perform venipuncture and licensure for nuclear medicine technologists passed after four years. Other bills that passed:

* Reauthorized the Arizona Board of Medical Radiologic Technology Examiners.

* Set educational requirements for radiographers and limited-scope personnel performing digital radiography and set standards for technologists performing fusion imaging in California.

* Set continuing education requirements for radiographers and radiation therapists in Connecticut.

* Established licensure for radiologist assistants in Florida.

* Increased the education and credentialing standards for limited x-ray machine operators in Maine.

* Extended radiologic technologist licensure to 2010 in Mississippi.

Around the Agencies

Each year ASRT and its affiliate societies work to develop collaborative relationships with state agencies that regulate medical imaging and radiation therapy. State statutes along with regulations promulgated by the state agencies make up the collective body of laws governing radiologic technologists. Significant changes to state regulations affecting radiologic technologists in 2006 are listed on the next page. For more information on state regulations affecting radiologic technologists, contact your state regulatory agency. A list of state regulators and contact information is available at www.asrt.org > Government Relations > State Activities > State Licensure Information.

What's Up for 2007?

There already are state licensure bills pending in Alaska, Minnesota and Missouri. The ASRT, the American College of Radiology, state affiliate societies and state radiology societies are working on radiologist assistant recognition in six states, and we're also working with groups on fusion imaging. The ASRT recently has expanded the government relations staff to include a health policy manager who will be working on state issues, developing relationships between the ASRT and affiliate societies, and providing state groups with information and resources on state legislation and regulation. Each week updated state legislative reports and state regulatory reports are posted to www.asrt.org. Make sure to check frequently to see what's going on in your statehouse and how you can work with the ASRT and your affiliate society.

By Christine Lung, ASRT Director of Government Relations

STATE           REGULATORY CHANGES IN 2006

Alabama         Changes regulations to bring state nuclear medicine
                standards to parity with NRC.

Colorado        Revises limited-scope x-ray machine operator and
                bone densitometry equipment operator requirements
                to include adequate radiation safety training and
                experience requirements. Clarifies rules regarding
                the delegation and supervision of medical services
                to unlicensed health care providers. Requires that
                a delegate who uses a title such as "radiology
                practitioner assistant," or the acronym "RPA", which
                is easily confused with the title of a licensed
                physician assistant or PA, to clarify his or her role
                to the patient. Amends rules relating to the use  of
                radionuclides in the healing arts. Makes the training
                and experience qualification specifications more clear
                and accessible.

Delaware        Specifies 18 as the minimum age for issuance of
                radiologic technologist certification. Clarifies that
                a temporary certificate can be issued only once.
                Specifies conditions for retesting following exam
                failure. Updates regulations regarding certification
                of medical radiation technologists and cardiovascular
                technologists.

Illinois        Changes regulations to bring state nuclear medicine
                standards to parity with NRC.

Indiana         Regulates who may operate a radiation machine and
                what level of training and experience the operator
                must have. Updates limited x-ray machine operator
                qualifications and cardiovascular technologist
                qualifications.

Iowa            Amends the definition of "radiologist assistant"
                by deleting wording that refers to a radiologist
                practitioner. Deletes requirements for continuing
                education and adds a reference for these requirements.
                Rescinds rule 641-42.6(136C) and replaces it with
                updated language specific to radiologist assistant
                requirements. Adopts a new appendix that specifies
                what procedures a radiologist assistant may perform.

Kansas          Adds new rules regarding continuing education and
                license renewal for radiologic technologists,
                corresponding  with legislation passed in 2005.

Louisiana       Changes regulations to bring state nuclear medicine
                standards to parity with NRC.

Mississippi     Promulgates rules regarding radiology use of positron
                emission tomography. Sets professional standards
                regarding the practice of radiologist assistants.
                Updates rules governing the use of x-ray equipment in
                the healing arts or veterinary medicine. Updates rules
                governing the use of radionuclides in the healing arts.
                Establishes rules regarding the registration of medical
                radiation technologists.

Montana         Establishes new rules relating to radiologist
                assistants, scope and practice, supervision, and the
                adoption of a  specific code of ethics.

New Hampshire   Sets requirements that all individuals performing
                radiation therapy must be ARRT certified.

Nevada          Updates state regulations regarding mammography to
                parity with MQSA.

Oregon          Updates limited x-ray machine operator requirements
                and allows the limited permit examination to be
                proctored by the ARRT and conducted at test sites
                throughout the state. Allows for computed tomography
                and fusion equipment operators.

South Dakota    Clarifies rules to improve operator safety on x-ray
                equipment.

Tennessee       Updates rules concerning bone densitometry
                certification requirements.

Texas           Amends rules regarding radiologic technologist fees.
                Increases the fee assessed against licensed medical
                radiologic technologists for the biennial certificate
                renewal.

Washington      Amends rules regarding radiologic technologist fees.
                Increases the fee assessed against licensed medical
                radiologic technologists for the biennial certificate
                renewal. Updates the regulations for medical use of
                radioactive material. Establishes a risk-based set of
                regulations that are protective of public health and
                safety and also allow physicians "who use radioactive
                material for either diagnostic or therapeutic use"
                appropriate latitude of use consistent with sound
                medical practice.

West Virginia   Amends rules relating to the Radiologic Technology
                Board of Examiners.