New Hampshire law creates imaging licensing board

New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan ceremonially signed into law Aug. 9 SB330, a bill proposing to regulate the licensure of imaging professionals in the state, including MRI technologists, nuclear medicine technologists, radiologist assistants and sonographers, among other positions, in the state. The passage of the law creates a seven-member state board dedicated to such licensure.

The Association for Medical Imaging Management praised the move in a statement.

“This bill promotes patient safety through educated and credentialed technologists who will give the best care imaging has to offer,” wrote President of the New Hampshire Society of Radiologic Technologists Brady Cusson.

Cusson said his organization had been pushing for this law for two years as a measure to improve state oversight on imaging technologists.

According to the law, the state licensing board must consist of members from some of the affected career positions, a radiologist and two non-healthcare involved members of the public.

SB330 also describes the qualifications a person must meet to be considered for licensing by the board and states that the board must follow currently accepted national accreditation standards.

And radiology experts at the national level also see this new law as a step forward.

“Enactment of SB330 is a huge step toward making sure that patient care is provided as safely and effectively as possible by highly qualified medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals,” American Society of Radiologist CEO Sal Martino, EdD, said in a statement.  

The law was already in effect as of July 1 and had been officially signed May 10.