Idaho and Michigan Radiologic Technologist Groups Seek Licensure Laws

The effort to require radiologic technologists to obtain a state license to practice continues in two of the states without such laws -- Michigan and Idaho. The Michigan Society of Radiologic Technologists, an affiliate society of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), is using social media to try to get as many radiologic technologists as it can to the state capitol in Lansing on April 17 to advocate for a law that would require some type of state licensure or registration for technologists performing imaging tests using radiation. According to the group's Facebook page, they have met with directors from Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs along with directors from the state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), which has oversight of nuclear material. Both departments' directors agreed that there was a need for greater state oversight of radiologic technologists, but getting a bill introduced and pushed through the legislature is challenging. Hence the need for a grass roots lobbying event. In Idaho, the process is further along. There is a state Senate bill (S 1115) that was introduced in February. However, since then it has been waiting to be brought up for consideration by the Health & Welfare Committee. The Idaho newspaper, the Spokesman-Review opined that the bill looks to be stalled. “In Idaho, the people that are using radiation don’t have to go to school,” said Mike Gurr, chairman of the Idaho Society of Radiologic Technologists told the Spokesman-Review. “And that’s scary when you realize what we do for the medical community.”