ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
medical radiologic
technology; board
Purpose
Continues the Medical
Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners (MRTBE) for five years and authorizes
the MRTBE to regulate practical technologists in bone densitometry and nuclear
medicine technologists. Contains a
Proposition 108 clause.
Background
In 1977, the MRTBE was
established as a division of the Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency in order
to protect the public health and safety from the harmful effects of excessive
and improper radiation exposure, and consists of ten members who are appointed
by the Governor. The MRTBE is required
to ensure minimum competency standards of education, training and experience
have been met by people who work with radiation by issuing and renewing
certificates for radiologic technologists and conducting investigations and
hearings concerning unprofessional conduct.
The MRTBE sets standards for
and grants approval of schools of radiologic technology. The course of study must include at least
400 hours of classroom work, at least 1,800 hours of clinical experience and at
least 80 hours of supervised film critiques.
In addition, the MRTBE is authorized to conduct inspections to ensure
only certified radiologic technologists or persons who are exempt from the
certification requirements are operating ionizing radiation machinery, and that
certified persons are not practicing beyond the scope of practice. Currently, the MRTBE has issued 5,185
certificates. The Joint Legislative
Budget Committee staff recommendations for the MRTBE operating budget for the
next two fiscal years is $192,000.
These funds are appropriated by the Legislature from the radiologic
technologist certification fund.
S.B.
1301 continues the MRTBE for five years, as recommended by the Senate Commerce,
Agriculture and Natural Resources and House of Representatives Health
Committees of Reference, and authorizes the MRTBE to regulate practical
technologists in bone densitometry and nuclear medicine technologists. S.B. 1301 appropriates $23,665 in FY
2001-2002 and 2002-2003 to the MRTBE for one FTE to assist with the new
regulatory responsibilities.
Provisions
1. Expands the membership of the MRTBE by including a certified, practicing nuclear medicine technologist who has at least five years experience.
2. Increases, from $60 to $70, the fee for an application for examination for certification.
3. Prescribes a $10 fee for a replacement certificate.
4. Authorizes a board member to designate a representative to approve or deny applications for certification.
5. Reduces the period of time a temporary certificate for a radiologic technologist is valid from 90 days to 30 days after the date of the next examination.
6. Requires the MRTBE to adopt rules for the certification of practical technologists in bone densitometry, including minimum education and training requirements, application and renewal fees and a definition of a practical technologist in bone densitometry.
7. Requires the MRTBE to adopt rules for the certification of nuclear medicine technologists, including minimum education and training requirements. Defines “nuclear medicine technologist.”
8. Requires the MRTBE to prescribe minimum continuing education requirements, as specified, for practical technologists in podiatry, radiology or bone densitometry and unlimited practical technologists in radiology.
9. Authorizes the MRTBE to require an applicant for renewal to document compliance with the continuing education requirements.
10. Requires an applicant for renewal and a person who is certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists to present evidence to the MRTBE of completing 24 hours of continuing education in radiologic technology with the preceding two years.
11. Reduces the period of time a temporary certificate for a mammographic technologist is valid from 90 days to 30 days from the date of issuance.
12. Appropriates $23,665 in FY 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 from the state radiologic technologist fund to the MRTBE for one FTE secretary to assist with new regulatory responsibilities.
13. Contains a purpose clause.
14. Makes clarifying, conforming and technical changes.
15. Continues the MRTBE until July 1, 2006.
16. Contains a January 1, 2007 delayed repeal date for statutes governing the MRTBE.
17. Contains a retroactive effective date of July 1, 2001 for the provisions relating to the continuation of the MRTBE.
18. Contains a Proposition 108 clause requiring an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the members of each house of the Legislature.
Amendments
Adopted by Health Committee
1. Eliminates one of the two new members to the MRTBE.
2. Clarifies the new member is a practicing nuclear medicine technologist.
3. Eliminates the increase in the amount board members are eligible to receive for each day of service and for reimbursement of subsistence and travel expenses.
4. Prescribes a $10 fee for a replacement certificate.
5. Specifies the appropriation is for each year over the biennium and comes from the state radiologic certification fund and not the state general fund.
Amendments
Adopted by Appropriations Committee
1. Adopted the Health Committee amendment.
2. Eliminates the exemption from lapsing for the appropriation.
Senate Action
HEALTH 2/13/01 DPA 8-0
APPROP 2/19/01 DPA 12-0
Prepared by Senate Staff
February 21, 2001