ASRT is seeing a wave of deregulation in the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession and increased efforts by nurses and other health care professionals to expand their scope of practice to include ordering, performing, supervising and interpreting medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures. Through constant monitoring and tracking, ASRT responds to bills at the state and federal level that do not align with our Practice Standards for Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy and Position Statements.  

State Actions: More than 30 calls and actions 

ASRT participates in biweekly calls on legislative and regulatory efforts in four states: California, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Michigan. These efforts are in coordination with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. The fruits of these efforts include garnering support from Pennsylvania state senators for reintroduction of a licensure bill, regulatory and legislative efforts for licensure and standards in Michigan and Georgia HB 434 — a licensure bill for the radiologist assistant.  

Additionally, in partnership with affiliate societies, ASRT has spearheaded efforts to combat the dissolution of standards for the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession in Tennessee and New Hampshire. Unfortunately, legislators in Tennessee are committed to the deregulation of the profession.  

Letters that made a difference 

Along with the above actions, ASRT has sent letters to the following states to voice opposition to multiple areas of encroachment and inappropriate scope expansion 

Wyoming — Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant 

Oklahoma — Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist  

North Carolina — Advanced Practice Registered Nurses 

Arizona — Advanced Practice Registered Nurses  

Minnesota — Certified Midwives 

Oregon — Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist 

Washington — Alternative Language 

The letters and requests were heard and these issues have either successfully stalled in committee, been defeated or been amended to meet our standards.  

ASRT also launched an advocacy campaign encouraging educators to comment on the U.S. Department of Education’s definition change that would negatively impact medical imaging and radiation therapy education programs and clinical sites. 

Looking forward 

We continue to expect encroachment across the nation. ASRT continues to stay vigilant.