Joyce O.Hawkins, R.T.(R)(M)(CT)
Chair, Legislative Affairs Committee

     Think again before you “RETIRE” OR GIVE UP YOUR ARRT CERTIFICATION. After acquiring a Virginia license to practice medical imaging, individuals may consider the elimination of their ARRT registration as they no longer consider it necessary.  It seems that the catalyst for technologists considering this action is due to the fact that Virginia law now requires documentation of continuing education and there is confusion due to the fact that Virginia and the ARRT may have continuing education requirements due on differing dates.  Looking to minimize the recordkeeping, some may want to eliminate one or the other and, since licensure is required under specific circumstances, may elect to drop their ARRT certification.

• Persons employed by hospitals in Virginia are exempt from the VA licensure law.  Most hospitals therefore require evidence of an ARRT certificate “in good standing” as qualification for employment.  A person who has a Virginia license but did not maintain ARRT certification might not meet employment requirements of a hospital should they leave their current employment and seek a position in a hospital.

• States do not all accept licenses from other states as qualification for employment (reciprocity).  Without ARRT certification, it is possible that an individual might not be able to acquire a license in another locality, thus forfeiting the ability to be employed in medical imaging outside of Virginia.

     According to the 2006 “Annual Report to Registered Technologists” (p.16 and p. 18), “So You Want to Retire…Who Doesn’t”:  “Granted, upon signing and submitting the ARRT application for Retired status, you won’t be required to comply with the CE requirements.  But the flip side of that is that you’ll need to re-examine in order to return to non-Retired status.  Yes, it’s the same examination that new graduates take to become certified.  Worse, if too much time passes after your Retired status is granted, you may have to re-qualify your eligibility thorough an accredited educational program.”

     In the same article, “What about ethics complications that can revolve around Retired status?,  “ARRT can’t prohibit an individual from working in the profession under a state license or certification from another organization.  But ARRT can prohibit an individual from being registered asRetired by ARRT while doing so.”

     Before you retire or rescind your ARRT certification to avoid continuing education documentation, be sure you have all the “facts” related to the impact of this decision.

     For situations where opposite year continuing education requirements exist, the ARRT provides a one-time sync-up to bring state and ARRT biennium in line so that due dates will be the same.  Contact the ARRT to learn more about this process.

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