Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Health Care & Wellness Committee
HB 2355
Brief Description: Establishing a primary certification process for magnetic resonance imaging technologists.
Sponsors: Representatives Nance, Ybarra and Reed.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Adds magnetic resonance imaging technologists to those who may be certified as a radiologic technologist.
Hearing Date: 1/23/24
Staff: Emily Poole (786-7106).
Background:

The Department of Health (DOH) certifies radiologic technologists who practice as a: 

  • diagnostic radiologic technologist;
  • therapeutic radiologic technologist; 
  • nuclear medicine technologist; 
  • radiologist assistant; or
  • cardiovascular invasive specialist.

 

To be certified as a diagnostic radiologic technologist, therapeutic radiologic technologist, or nuclear medicine technologist, an applicant must:

  • graduate from an approved school or successfully complete alternate training that meets the criteria established by the Secretary of Health (Secretary); 
  • satisfactorily complete a radiologic technologist examination approved by the Secretary; and
  • have good moral character.

 

To be certified as a radiologist assistant an applicant must:

  • satisfactorily complete an approved radiologist assistant program; 
  • satisfactorily complete a radiologist assistant examination approved by the Secretary; and
  • have good moral character. 

 

To be certified as a cardiovascular invasive specialist an applicant must: 

  • satisfactorily complete a cardiovascular invasive specialist program or alternate training approved by the Secretary;
  • satisfactorily complete a cardiovascular invasive specialist examination approved by the Secretary; and
  • have good moral character.

 

The DOH may provide educational materials and training to registered X-ray technicians, certified radiologic technologists, licensed practitioners, and the public concerning, but not limited to, health risks associated with ionizing radiation, proper radiographic techniques, and X-ray equipment maintenance.

Summary of Bill:

"Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologist"  is added to the list of professions that may be certified as a radiologic technologist.  An MRI technologist is a person who, under the direct supervision of a physician, uses a nonionizing radiation process on a human by which certain nuclei, when placed in a magnetic field, absorb and release energy in the form of radio waves analyzed by a computer, thereby producing an image of human anatomy and physiological information.

 

To be certified as an MRI technologist, an applicant must: 

  • graduate from an approved school or successfully complete alternate training that meets the criteria established by the Secretary;
  • satisfactorily complete a radiologic technology examination approved by the Secretary; and
  • have good moral character. 

 

A person may not adopt or use a title of "certified magnetic resonance imaging technologist" or "certified radiologic technologist" unless certified by the DOH. 

 

Educational materials and training provided by the DOH may also concern health risks associated with nonionizing radiation and equipment maintenance for other types of imaging equipment.

Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.