2005 in review

Radiologic Technology, Jan-Feb, 2006 by Jerry Reid

The following report describes a few of the 2005 highlights of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). The ARRT's Annual Report to Registered Technologists, published each spring, includes a more comprehensive description of the Registry's activities.

Registrants

The ARRT ended 2005 with approximately 257 000 registrants. The quarter-of-a-million mark was surpassed in June 2005. Registered technologists (R.T.s) held more than 366 000 certificates. Radiography accounted for the majority of the certificates (67%), followed by mammography (13%), computed tomography (CT, 7%), magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (4%), radiation therapy (4%) and nuclear medicine (3%). Roughly 40% of R.T.s held certification in multiple categories. About 95% of R.T.s were certified as radiographers.

Certification and Licensing Programs

By the end of 2005, the ARRT had 15 certification programs plus several examination programs used solely for state licensing. Certification programs include radiography, nuclear medicine technology, radiation therapy, cardiovascular-interventional radiography, cardiac-interventional radiography, vascular-interventional radiography, mammography, CT, MR imaging, quality management, sonography, vascular sonography, breast sonography, bone densitometry and our newest program, the radiologist assistant (RA).

State licensing programs include the limited scope of practice in radiography examination, the bone densitometry equipment operator examination plus several examinations that ARRT administers for California. Each of ARRT's primary certification categories (ie, radiography, nuclear medicine and radiation therapy), as well as the sonography certification program, are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Recognition by NCCA provides external validation of a certification program's quality.

ARRT certification examinations are developed from content specifications based on the results of practice analysis studies. ARRT's clinical competency and clinical experience requirements are also based on these studies. Practice analysis studies help identify the procedures typically performed by radiologic technologists and the knowledge required to perform the procedures. ARRT conducts a major update to the practice analyses for the primary certification categories every 6 years, with interim updates every 3 years to assure validity. Revised content specifications and clinical competency requirements for the primary disciplines were implemented in 2005. During 2005 and 2006, candidates may meet either the pre-2005 or the 2005 requirements. Copies of both versions of the requirements are on ARRT's Web site, www.arrt.org.

Examinees

The ARRT administered approximately 26 000 examinations during 2005. The numbers of first-time examinees for 2005 compared with 2004 increased by 13% for radiography, 28% for nuclear medicine technology and 10% for radiation therapy. The growth in number of examinees for primary categories continues a trend that began in 2001.

Eligibility Requirements

An eligibility pathway for graduates of sonography educational programs accredited by an ARRT-recognized mechanism became available for general sonography certification in January 2006. Both R.T.s and non-R.T.s may qualify under this pathway. The pathway is in addition to the post-primary pathway (ie, R.T. plus documented sonography clinical experience).

An eligibility pathway for graduates of ARRT-recognized MR imaging educational programs (both R.T. and non-R.T. graduates) was introduced in January 2006. This pathway is in addition to the postprimary pathway (ie, R.T. plus documented MR imaging clinical experience).

New Certification Programs

The RA certification program became operational in late 2005, with the first examination administered on October 28, 2005. The RA role delineation and the standards for education, ethics and examination are described on the ARRT's Web site. The designation awarded is registered radiologist assistant (R.R.A.). Since an individual must be certified in radiography to be eligible for certification as an RA, the designation appears as John Smith, R.R.A., R.T.(R). The RA certification is limited to 10 years. ARRT is exploring the possible development of other physician-extender certification programs.

Defining 'Qualified'

ARRT's mission states that it "promotes high standards of patient care by recognizing individuals qualified in medical imaging, interventional procedures and radiation therapy." The definition of "qualified" at entry level has been thoroughly documented through ARRT's certification standards. ARRT started collecting perspectives from other organizations in fall 2005 to address the question of "what should it mean to be qualified at points beyond entry level?" After the answer to that question is established, ARRT will evaluate its current requirements for maintaining registration to determine if the mechanism is consistent with what it means to be qualified at all points in an R.T.'s career.