The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists administers credentials for radiologic technology professionals.
Commonly abbreviated ARRT, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists is a national organization in the United States. It helps professionals in the fields of interventional medicine, medical imaging and radiation therapy provide high-quality patient care. To achieve that goal, ARRT develops and enforces educational, examination and professional standards intended to ensure that the individuals it certifies are able to perform their job competently.
History
The Radiological Society of North America established ARRT as the Registry in 1922. The organization certified Sister M. Beatrice Merrigan, its first Registered Technologist, or R.T., on December 26 of that year after she passed a radiography examination with 20 essay questions. Upon its incorporation in 1936, the Registry was renamed the American Registry of X-Ray Technicians, and it became the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists in 1962 to reflect its broadened focus on certifying professionals in the original radiography, along with radiation therapy and nuclear medicine technology.
Features
ARRT administers credentials in five primary radiologic technology disciplines (radiography, nuclear medicine technology, radiation therapy, sonography and magnetic resonance imaging) and 12 post-primary disciplines (bone densitometry, breast sonography, cardiac-interventional radiography, cardiovascular-interventional radiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, mammography, quality management, sonography, vascular sonography and vascular-interventional radiography). Qualified individuals who pass the relevant examination are designated an R.T. (Registered Technologist) in their area of specialization. ARRT also awards the Registered Radiologist Assistant, or R.R.A., certification to eligible candidates, who are considered advanced radiologic technologists.
Structure
Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, ARRT has a Board of Trustees with nine members. The American Society of Radiologic Technologists--a national organization for all radiologic science professionals--selects five board members, and the American College of Radiology--a national organization of clinical medical physicists, radiation oncologists and radiologists--chooses four. The board establishes ARRT's policies, and an executive director manages the organization's operations. The executive director also hires and manages a staff of about 60 employees to perform required duties in one of two divisions: Business Operations and Certification & Registration Operations.
Licensing
Although ARRT does not license individuals to practice, as of 2010, 36 states included a passing score on an ARRT certification examination among the licensing requirements for radiologic technologists. ARRT has agreements with certain states that allows them to administer some of the organization's certification examinations for state licensing purposes. Individuals in those states who wish to earn ARRT certification and a state license must follow ARRT's separate application procedures; applying for and/or receiving a state license does not meet ARRT's application and eligibility requirements.
Considerations
ARRT certification is voluntary, and candidates must meet requirements in three areas: education, ethics and examination. The education obligation includes finishing an accredited formal training program and having sufficient clinical experience. The ethics component demands that candidates have "good moral character" and no history of conduct, including criminal convictions, that violates ARRT's ethical standards as outlined in the ARRT Standards of Ethics. The examination requirement refers to demonstrating competency by passing the certification test. Technologists who receive certification must renew it annually, which requires participation in continuing education.
Tags: American Registry, American Registry Radiologic, Registry Radiologic, Registry Radiologic Technologists, ARRT certification
