The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) is seeking input from practicing Radiation Therapy professionals on proposed updates to the Radiation Therapy Examination Content Specifications and Clinical Competency Requirements.
These updates aim to ensure the exam reflects the essential knowledge and skills required of entry-level radiation therapists. The revisions are based on a nationwide survey of 2,000 practicing therapists and developed by the ARRT Radiation Therapy Practice Analysis Committee, which began work in February 2024. The ARRT Board of Trustees will review the proposed changes, with implementation set for February 1, 2027.
We encourage you to review and provide feedback on these important updates.
SUMMARY OF MAJOR PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE EXAMINATION CONTENT SPECIFICATIONS:
Patient Care:
- Review pertinent medical history, communication with the patient during the procedure, and CT simulation compliance were added under patient education.
- Patient comfort and modesty were added under routine monitoring and documentation.
- Mental health crisis and communication of critical findings to the health care team were added under medical emergencies.
Safety
- Rotation check was changed to mechanical safety check. Operation of gantry and console was expanded to include collimator and imaging systems both under quality control procedures.
Procedures
- Treatment Sites and Tumors: Bone metastasis was added. Leukemia, mycosis fungoides, and bone marrow transplant were removed.
- Treatment Volume Localization: 3D and 4D CT simulations and electronic medical device were added.
- Prescription and Dose Calculation: Fusion with outside diagnostic studies was removed.
- Treatments: Systemic therapy, TBI, and TSE/TBE were added under treatment options. Electron applicator was added under treatment machine set-up. Custom was changed to complex and standard was changed to simple both under the immobilization device section. Emergency situation was changed to urgent situation responses under treatment administration.
SUMMARY OF THE MAJOR PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CLINICAL COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS:
- General Patient Care Procedures: BLS or ACLS was added in place of CPR. Vital Signs – Pulse oximetry and assisting with O2 administration were added.
- Participatory Procedures: Motion management (e.g., surface guidance, respiratory gating, fiducial tracking, breath hold, abdominal compression) was added.
- Radiation Treatment Procedures: Breast: Tangents with supraclavicular and tangents with supraclavicular and posterior axilla boost were combined to be tangents with supraclavicular (tangents with nodal treatment e.g., supraclavicular, posterior axilla boost). IMRT/VMAT was added.
Review and Share Your Feedback
We invite you to review the proposed updates and submit your feedback via our online survey, open through September 30, 2025. This survey is the official method for collecting input. The Radiation Therapy Practice Analysis Committee will review all responses and may revise the documents accordingly.
Note: Additions are shown in blue; deletions are marked in red strikethrough.
Questions?
For questions about how these changes may affect your eligibility for certification and registration, call 651.687.0048 and select the option for earning an ARRT credential.
Thank you for reviewing these important documents!