ARRT and State continuing education requirements

The ARRT requires that technologists earn 24 Category A or A+ credits of continuing education during their biennium. A maximum of 12 CE credits per biennium may be claimed for tumor boards. Effective January 1, 2011, the maximum number of CE credit for applications facility training will be capped at 8.0 Category A credits. Directed readings, home study courses, or Internet activities reported in a biennium may not be repeated for credit in the same or any subsequent biennium. Lecture presentations may not be repeated for credit in the same biennium. The 24 CE credits may also be earned by passing a primary or a post-primary examination in a discipline not previously passed and for which the individual is eligible and which the ARRT recognizes for this purpose. Most states follow the ARRT's guidelines for CE requirements. The following states have specific rules which differ from, or are in addition to, the ARRT requirements:

TEXAS

At least 3 hours of the required number of hours shall be satisfied by attendance and participation in instructor-directed activities.

No more than 21 hours for MRTs or 9 hours for LMRTs of the required number of hours may be satisfied through verifiable independent self-study. These activities include reading materials, audio materials, audiovisual materials, or a combination thereof.

At least 50% of the required number of hours must be activities which are directly related to the use and application of ionizing forms of radiation to produce diagnostic images and/or administer treatment to human beings for medical purposes.

CALIFORNIA

Certified Radiologic Technologists possessing a current Mammographic Radiologic Technology Certificate are required to earn at least 10 of those 24 approved CECs in mammography and to perform at least 200 mammographic examinations.

An approved continuing education credit means one hour of instruction received in subjects related to the application of X-ray to the human body.

Please note that "subjects related to the application of X-ray to the human body" may include X-ray administration, X-ray management, X-ray pathology, X-ray diagnosis and X-ray quality control. However, subjects in MRI, Ultrasound, CPR, or other topics not related to the application of X-rays to the human body cannot be accepted. It is the responsibility of the certificate or permit holder to ascertain the acceptability of courses.

FLORIDA

All CE taken in Florida must have an approved provider number and course number on the certificate. This includes home study courses, Internet courses and self-learning activities.

No more than 3 of the 12 hours required by Florida each biennium can be in the personal development category (CPR, etc.) - the rest must be technical (radiation protection, equipment operation, etc.).

IOWA

CT Technologists- Complete 6.0 hours of continuing education in CT-related subjects each two-year reporting period. These hours may be a part of the 24.0 hours of continuing education required.

General diagnostic radiographer: Complete 1.0 hour of continuing education in radiation protection.Individuals not holding the additional category in CT may not submit continuing education hours in CT.

Nuclear Medicine technologist- One clock hour in principles of radiation protection and exposure each year, a total of two hours each two-year period. One clock hour in quality assurance each year, a total of two hours each two-year period. The remaining 20 clock hours of continuing education in each two-year period must be in subjects directly related to nuclear medicine procedures.

All other states adhere to the CE requirements set forth by the ARRT.

It's your responsibility to keep up on your CE credits. Make sure you know your state's rules before it's too late.