SB 1114 - Beginning on October 1, 2017, this act prohibits a person from performing radiologic imaging or administering radiation therapy procedures unless the person is licensed by the Missouri Radiologic Imaging and Radiation Therapy Board of Examiners within the Board of Registration for the Healing Arts, as established by the act. The Board shall establish licensing standards for the following professions: limited x-ray machine operator, magnetic resonance technologist, nuclear medicine advanced associate, nuclear medicine technologist, radiation therapist, radiographer, and radiologist assistance. Such licensees may use radioactive substances, equipment emitting ionizing radiation, or magnetic resonance for radiologic imaging and radiation therapy procedures only pursuant to a prescription and under the supervision of a licensed practitioner, as defined in the act. Each licensee may only practice within the scope of the license that he or she possesses.
Applicants for licensure shall pay a nonrefundable fee, be at least eighteen, have a high school diploma, and meet certain educational and examination requirements specific to the license sought. A limited x-ray machine operator must pass an examination approved by the Board and such license is limited in scope by the issuance of permits to perform diagnostic x-rays on specific anatomical areas. The Board shall use an exam administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists for persons applying for a limited permit in chest, extremity, skull or sinus, podiatric, or spine radiography, and may accept certification from other national boards, as specified in the act, for a limited permit in other anatomical areas.
For all of the other professions the Board may accept registration by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, Certification Board of Radiology Practitioner Assistants, or Nuclear Medicine Technologist Certification Board in order for an applicant for licensure to meet the examination requirement.
The Board may issue a temporary license for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty days to any person whose licensure or license renewal is pending or when the issuance is for the purpose of serving medically underserved areas. Graduates of radiologic imaging or radiation therapy programs awaiting national certification exam results may be issued provisional licenses for employment purposes not to exceed one year.
The act provides that any medical facility or education institution may offer a board approved program in radiography, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine technology, magnetic resonance technology, or limited x-ray machine operation which shall be affiliated with a hospital or clinic approved by the Board.
A license shall be renewed every two years upon the payment of a fee and proof of completion of 24 hours of board approved continuing education, unless the licensee is a radiologist assistant then such individual must complete 50 hours of continuing education.
A violation of this act is a Class A misdemeanor and the Board may assess a penalty not to exceed $200 for a violation of this act or a rule promulgated by the Board.
Current persons engaged in the practice of radiologic imaging and radiation therapy, other than radiologist assistants, who do not hold a registration from a national organization may continue to practice as long as they register with the Board before January 1, 2018, do not change the scope of their practice, complete continuing education requirements, practice under a licensed practitioner, and obtain a state license before January 1, 2020.
This act is substantially similar to HB 2613 (2016).
JESSI BAKER