X-ray certification ensures that radiology professionals are qualified and competent.
The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists provides X-ray certification in America. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that while ARRT certification is voluntary, most employers require applicants to have ARRT credentials as a condition of employment. Specialized-certification candidates must first obtain ARRT certification in one of five primary radiology disciplines such as radiography or sonography, and then they may pursue certification in specialized radiological disciplines such as mammography or bone densitometry.
Personal Background
ARRT applies its standards of ethics to certification applicants and may reject applications from candidates who have engaged in proscribed behavior. ARRT may reject applications from candidates who have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, or plead no contest to criminal charges. However, ARRT does not count juvenile convictions that have been expunged from a candidate's record or traffic infractions. ARRT also requires candidates to report any honor code violations they committed during their university education. The agency determines the applicant's eligibility based on the infraction. ARRT may withdraw the credentials of an applicant who misleads the organization about his criminal or university record during the application process. Radiologists must adhere to ARRT's standards of ethics throughout their careers to retain their credentials.
Education
Candidates must successfully complete a radiology degree program at an ARRT-accredited institution to be eligible for certification. ARRT does not accept degrees from overseas universities in place of degrees from accredited American colleges. Prospective applicants who studied outside the U.S. may apply to an accredited program for advanced placement. All ARRT-certified radiologists must meet the organization's continuing-education requirement to retain their credentials. Radiologists may either complete 24 credit hours in radiology coursework every two years or pass an ARRT examination in a discipline in which they don't have credentials.
Testing
Many states use ARRT examinations for screening license applicants and universities often administer the tests to new graduates. ARRT examinations test the applicant's clinical knowledge along with her critical-thinking ability. ARRT exams are administered by computer. While most exam questions are multiple-choice, others require the candidate to click the part of an on-screen diagnostic image to record his answer or to view a short video before answering subsequent questions. Candidates may take the exam up to three times within a three-year period. ARRT requires candidates who fail a third time to take remedial classes before they can take the exam again. Cheating on an ARRT examination is illegal under Minnesota law; and because ARRT is based in Minnesota, the legislation is binding on all its members. If a patient can demonstrate she was harmed due to being treated by a radiologist who fraudulently attained his certification, the patient is eligible to recover damages in a civil suit.
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