Frequently Asked Questions About the ARRT
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| If you have a question that isn't addressed here, please phone or write to ARRT. |
| In general terms, what is an R.R.A.? How did the radiologist extender concept get started? Why did the radiologist assistant concept catch on at this time? How did ARRT get involved in R.R.A. certification? What is the ASRT’s role in development of the radiologist assistant concept? How did ARRT come up with a role delineation for the R.R.A? Does the American College of Radiology support the radiologist assistant concept? Have radiologist assistant educators had input in designing the ARRT R.R.A. certification program? What is ICRA? What are the three different levels of radiologist supervision of radiologist assistants? What are the prerequisites for entering a radiologist assistant educational program? What are the eligibility requirements for R.R.A. certification? What are the clinical education requirements for R.R.A. certification? What does ARRT’s R.R.A. exam cover? What is the exam format? How does one apply for ARRT’s R.R.A. certification? What happens after a candidate's application is accepted? What happens if a candidate doesn't pass the exam? What credential does an R.R.A. earn? When will the R.R.A. certification examination be available to candidates and how often? What requirements must a radiologic assistant program meet to be considered recognized by the ARRT? What radiologist assistant educational programs are recognized by the ARRT and where can I get more information about them? I’m an RPA. Will I be eligible to be certified by ARRT? I've been practicing in a capacity much like the new radiologist assistant position. Can I challenge the Boards without having completed a formal educational program? Will the Ethics requirements for R.R.A.s be any different than those for R.T.s? Once radiologist assistants are certified by ARRT, what are the requirements for their annual renewal of registration? Will R.R.A.s be able to practice in all states? What is the Certification Board for Radiology Practitioner Assistants (CBRPA)? Is ARRT’s R.R.A. certification program structured around the same "Equation for Excellence" as its others? |
| Question: In general terms, what is an R.R.A.? |
| Answer: An R.R.A., or Registered Radiologist Assistant, is an advanced-level radiologic technologist who enhances patient care by extending the capacity of the radiologist. Their role falls between the traditional roles of the radiologist and the radiographer. |
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| Question: How did the radiologist extender concept get started? |
| Answer: Several universities pioneered the idea in the 1970's, but the concept did not take hold. The idea was revived in the mid-1990s by Weber State University’s Radiology Practitioner Assistant program. |
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| Question: Why did the radiologist assistant concept catch on at this time? |
| Answer: The shortage of radiologists, along with growing demand for imaging services, motivated the American College of Radiology (ACR) to look for alternative ways of continuing to provide high quality patient care. The ASRT was looking for ways to extend the career path of radiologic technology in order to support recruiting and retention efforts. The two initiatives found a common solution in the radiologist assistant concept. |
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| Question: How did ARRT get involved in R.R.A. certification? |
| Answer: The American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) convened a panel in early 2002 including representatives from the American College of Radiology (ACR), ARRT, state licensing agencies, the National Society of Radiology Practitioner Assistants, educators, and industry. That panel produced a consensus document proposing the position’s title and definition and addressing educational preparation, roles and responsibilities, levels of supervision, and regulatory issues. Building on the panel’s concept and consensus, ARRT established an advisory committee to develop certification standards. The eight-member committee included Radiology Practitioner Assistants (RPAs) and educators involved in radiologist assistant programs, all of whom are Registered Technologists; radiologists identified by ACR; a health physicist; and ARRT Board and staff representatives. |
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| Question: What is the ASRT’s role in development of the radiologist assistant concept? |
| Answer: ASRT initiated and continues to nurture the collaboration among organizations that led to consensus on the general concept of the radiologist assistant. ASRT developed a curriculum for radiologist assistant educational programs, has provided grant money for four radiologist assistant educational programs to get off the ground, hosts the Radiologist Assistant Education Council, and continues to promote the concept. |
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| Question: How did ARRT come up with a role delineation for the R.R.A? |
| Answer: The R.R.A. Role Delineation was developed from a survey of ACR members and RPAs who rated 80 possible clinical activities as to whether each should be considered a radiologist assistant responsibility and, if so, under what level of radiologist supervision it should be performed. The resulting R.R.A. Role Delineation includes 42 clinical activities, further broken down into specific radiologic procedures. Each activity and procedure is assigned a level of radiologist supervision: personal, direct or general. Activities range from reviewing patients’ medical records to performing radiologic procedures to follow-up patient evaluation. |
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| Question: Does the American College of Radiology support the radiologist assistant concept? |
| Answer: Yes, the ACR Council in 2003 passed a resolution on radiologist assistant roles and responsibilities that supported the concept of the radiologist assistant, including certification of the R.R.A. by the ARRT. The ACR continues to promote the radiologist assistant concept, address legislation and reimbursement issues, and propose standards. The ACR has provided input into ARRT’s R.R.A. Role Delineation and other certification standards. For more information on the ACR, go to www.acr.org. |
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| Question: Have radiologist assistant educators had input in designing the ARRT R.R.A. certification program? |
| Answer: ASRT organized the educational programs into the Radiologist Assistant Educational Council to encourage collaboration. ARRT has participated in their meetings, provided information on the certification project, and gathered feedback from the educators on the standards as they were developed. The ARRT R.R.A. Advisory Committee that drafted the certification standards included two radiologist assistant educators. ARRT hosted a meeting of radiologist assistant educators at the ARRT office in St. Paul in the spring of 2005 for a project update and input opportunity. The Radiologist Assistant Education Council continues to meet and provide input to ARRT. |
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| Question: What is ICRA? |
| Answer: ACR, ASRT, and ARRT in 2007 formed a group called the Inter-Societal Commission on the Radiologist Assistant (ICRA). Representatives of the NSRPA have also participated in ICRA meetings. ICRA was created to build consensus on issues related to the practice of radiologist extenders. ICRA collects, verifies, and analyzes radiologist extender practice data as it exists in the current radiology practice environment to address issues such as scope of practice, reimbursement, and capacity in a unified manner. ICRA also provides input to the ARRT's R.R.A. practice analysis updates. |
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| Question: What are the three different levels of radiologist supervision of radiologist assistants? |
| Answer: The R.R.A. Role Delineation specifies three different levels of radiologist supervision: personal, direct, and general. With patient safety as the number one concern, personal supervision is required for nine of the 26 radiologic examinations, including myelograms and some line or needle placements. Under these circumstances the radiologist must be in attendance in the room with the radiologist assistant during performance of the procedure. |
| The remaining radiologic examinations — including procedures such as UGIs, barium enema studies, and arthrograms — require direct supervision. In these situations, the radiologist must be present in the office suite and immediately available to furnish assistance and direction throughout the performance of the procedure. The radiologist is not required to be present in the room where the procedure is performed. |
| Other clinical activities — such as physical examination and obtaining informed consent — require general supervision, which means that they are monitored under the radiologist’s overall direction and control, but the radiologist’s presence is not required during performance of the activity. |
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| Question: What are the prerequisites for entering a radiologist assistant educational program? |
| Answer: Individual programs will define prerequisites; however, it is important for a prospective student who wishes to become ARRT-certified to confirm that the program meets or is in the process of meeting the ARRT’s program recognition requirements. |
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| Question: What are the eligibility requirements for R.R.A. certification? |
Answer: Detailed requirements are
available in the ARRT R.R.A.
Certification Application Packet. Here is a brief overview:
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| Question: What are the clinical education requirements for R.R.A. certification? |
| Answer: Candidates must complete a preceptorship, similar to a physician’s residency. In this case a radiologist mentors the candidate and oversees his or her clinical education. During that time, the candidate will complete a required number of cases from among nine mandatory and 15 elective procedures. Candidates must document the clinical procedures in a portfolio, which will also include professional activities and accomplishments, case studies, and evaluations. Details on the requirements are included in the R.R.A. Certification Application Packet. |
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| Question: What does ARRT’s R.R.A. exam cover? |
Answer: The exam measures
candidates’ command of knowledge in six major subject areas
drawn from the R.R.A.
Role Delineation as follows:
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| Question: What is the exam format? |
| Answer: The R.R.A. exam is a multiple-format testing event, incorporating traditional multiple-choice questions as well as select multiple, sorted lists, exhibits with hot spots, and essay questions. Candidates are permitted seven hours to complete the exam process, which is presented at Pearson VUE test centers. Further details on formats can be found under Overview of Computer-Based Testing. |
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| Question: How does one apply for ARRT’s R.R.A. certification? |
| Answer: Individuals wishing to apply for R.R.A. certification must obtain an application and application packet from ARRT, which can be downloaded and printed, or requested by phoning the ARRT office at (651) 687-0048, ext. 560. In addition to the application for certification, the packet includes the didactic and clinical portfolio requirements, a collection of forms the candidate must complete as part of the application process. The application also specifies fees and postmarking deadlines. |
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| Question: What happens after a candidate’s application is accepted? |
| Answer: Once applications have been accepted, candidates receive a Candidate Status Report (CSR) from ARRT. The CSR details all of the information they will need at the test center and explains what will happen after they complete the test regarding score reporting and certification status. |
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| Question: What happens if a candidate doesn’t pass the exam? |
| Answer: Candidates are allowed three attempts to pass the examination within the three-year period that begins when the candidate’s application is accepted (i.e., the candidate has met education and ethics requirements). One additional attempt may be permitted if the individual submits documentation of acceptable remedial activities. Individuals failing this fourth attempt or not completing it within one year will be deemed no longer eligible and may regain eligibility only by re-enrolling in an educational program and completing didactic and clinical requirements. |
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| Question: What credential does an R.R.A. earn? |
| Answer: The designation for ARRT’s R.R.A. certification will appear in an individual’s credentials as “R.R.A.(ARRT),” indicating that the person is a “Registered Radiologist Assistant.” Those who earn the R.R.A. may choose to include their R.T. credential, too: R.R.A., R.T.(R)(ARRT). |
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| Question: When will the R.R.A. certification examination be available to candidates and how often? |
| Answer: ARRT administers the R.R.A exam on a set schedule: three times a year, on the second Thursdays of January, June, and September. Application deadlines for each exam are approximately eight weeks in advance of administration. |
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| Question: What requirements must a radiologic assistant program meet to be considered recognized by the ARRT? |
| Answer: In order to be recognized by ARRT, radiologist assistant educational programs must be accredited by one of the ARRT-recognized regional/institutional accreditors and meet ARRT's Recognition Criteria for Radiologist Assistant Education Programs. |
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| Question: What radiologist assistant educational programs are recognized by the ARRT and where can I get more information about them? | ||
| Answer: The following programs are recognized by ARRT. For more information, contact each program directly. | ||
| Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, PA 570-389-4527 Web Site: departments.bloomu.edu/biology/ra/index.html cmehlbau@bloomu.edu |
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| *Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, TX 866-575-4305 Web Site: http://hs2.mwsu.edu/ donna.wright@mwsu.edu |
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| Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 909-558-4931 ext 82368 Web Site: http://www.llu.edu miorio@llu.edu |
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| Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT 203-582-3650 Web Site: www.quinnipiac.edu Shelley.Giordano@quinnipiac.edu |
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| University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 501-686-7438 Web Site: www.uams.edu/chrp/imaging ra@uams.edu |
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| *University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 973-972-5454 Web Site: www.umdnj.edu raprgm@umdnj.edu |
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| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 919-843-6578 Web Site: www.med.unc.edu/ahs/radisci melissa_jackowski@med.unc.edu |
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| *Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 804-828-9104 Web Site: www.sahp.vcu.edu/radsci jslegg@vcu.edu |
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| Weber State University, Ogden, UT 801-626-6057 Web Site: www.weber.edu dnewham@weber.edu |
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| * In process of renewing ARRT Radiologist Assistant Program recognition. | ||
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| Question: I’m an RPA. Will I be eligible to be certified by ARRT? | ||
| Answer: ARRT has expanded its R.R.A.
eligibility requirements to establish a temporary pathway for
Radiology Practitioner Assistants (RPAs) who want to earn
ARRT´s Registered Radiologist Assistant (R.R.A.) credential. The RPA pathway to R.R.A. certification will be available through 2011, to accommodate those previously graduated from an RPA educational program and holding CBRPA certification. Under this pathway all requirements, including passing the ARRT examination, must be completed by December 31, 2011. After 2011, candidates for ARRT certification must directly meet all ARRT requirements. RPA candidates for ARRT's R.R.A. credential must:
Individuals wishing to apply for R.R.A. certification must obtain an RPA Pathway to R.R.A. Certification Application from ARRT, which can be downloaded and printed, or requested by phoning the ARRT office at (651) 687-0048, ext. 560. If you have questions about RPA eligibility for ARRT´s R.R.A. certification, please contact ARRT at (651) 687-0048, ext. 560. |
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| Question: I’ve been practicing in a capacity much like the new radiologist assistant position. Can I challenge the Boards without having completed a formal educational program? | ||
| Answer: There are no exceptions to the educational requirements for R.R.A. certification: every candidate must have completed a structured educational program. But experience might qualify you for advanced placement in a program, allowing you to complete it in a much shorter time period. For more information, contact any of the programs we’ve identified to explore admission at advanced standing. | ||
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| Question: Will the Ethics requirements for R.R.A.s be any different than those for R.T.s? | ||
| Answer: R.R.A.s and candidates for ARRT’s R.R.A. certification remain accountable to the same ethics requirements (Standards of Ethics) that apply to them as Registered Technologists. Those standards ensure that the individuals are persons of good moral character and have neither engaged in nor permitted unethical conduct. | ||
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| Question: Once radiologist assistants are certified by ARRT, what are the requirements for their annual renewal of registration? | ||
| Answer: ARRT will require R.R.A.s to obtain 50 CE credits in a biennium, see ARRT’s Continuing Education Requirements for Renewal of Registration for details. CE requirements for R.R.A.s will be integrated into the requirements needed to maintain the R.T. designation. That is, qualifying CE credits may be applied to both the R.T. and R.R.A. requirements, and the biennium schedule for documenting CE will be maintained. Individuals must renew their registration annually. After 10 years have passed, R.R.A.s will be required to meet additional requirements to retain registration. Those requirements are currently under development. | ||
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| Question: Will R.R.A.s be able to practice in all states? | ||
| Answer: Administration of licensing laws differs from state to state. Work is underway at the state level to assure consistency of licensing laws with the radiologist assistant’s role. Licensing requirements should be confirmed with the individual state. Visit the ASRT website for information on state licensure for radiologist assistants. | ||
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| Question: What is the Certification Board for Radiology Practitioner Assistants (CBRPA)? | ||
| Answer: The CBRPA is a nonprofit certification agency established to recognize RPA educational programs and to certify and register individuals meeting CBRPA requirements. The CBRPA is a separate organization from ARRT, and their certification mechanism is separate from ARRT’s. | ||
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| Question: Is ARRT’s R.R.A. certification program structured around the same “Equation for Excellence” as its others? | |
| Answer: Definitely. Here’s a breakdown of how the “Education + Ethics + Examination = The ARRT Equation for Excellence” formula applies to ARRT’s R.R.A. certification program. | |
| Education: ARRT’s standards were
designed to address the didactic and clinical components of
radiologist assistant education as well as prerequisites such as ARRT
certification and registration in radiography. ASRT’s
radiologist assistant curriculum served as input for developing
didactic competencies for certification. Clinical education is
provided through a preceptorship with a radiologist serving as the
student’s mentor. |
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| Ethics: ARRT’s Standards of Ethics,
originally
designed for the R.T.’s scope of practice, required only slight
modification to address radiologist assistant responsibilities as
well. |
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| Examination: ARRT’s advisory committee drafted standards for assessing the knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill the new role. The traditional practice-analysis procedure of surveying job incumbents to identify responsibilities wasn’t possible for the radiologist assistant, which was developed by consensus as opposed to observation. Exam development then followed ARRT’s standard model: compiling content specifications and weighing their relative importance, having ARRT-trained consultants write test questions, assembling test forms, and identifying a passing standard. | |
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