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. The secretary may only approve a cardiovascular invasive specialist program that includes training in  cardiovascular anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, radiation physics and safety, radiation imaging and positioning, medical recordkeeping, and multicultural health;
• satisfactorily complete a cardiovascular invasive specialist examination approved by the secretary; and
• have good moral character.

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.

No person may adopt or use a title of certified magnetic resonance imaging technologist or certified radiologic technologist (CRT) unless certified by DOH. 

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

• Makes a technical correction to ensure the supervision requirements for MRI technologists match those for other categories of radiologic technologists already in statute.

The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: Facilities cannot currently hire the most highly trained MRI technologists because the states does not recognize this education pathway. This is a workforce issue, which has resulted in increased wait times and limited access to care. It is important to have enough providers to provide needed services, including breast MRIs.