Rad tech advocates submit 42,000 comments to feds in push to gain ‘professional’ status

Radiologic technologist advocates have submitted over 42,000 comments to the feds in their push to gain “professional” status.

The Office of Management and Budget is gathering feedback from the public on this idea of redesignating techs’ status. Reclassification offers benefits including a higher level of professional recognition and a more universally recognized credential, ASRT reported Friday.

Every 10 years, the OMB reclassifies jobs as either “technical” or “professional,” with the window now open. Currently, all American Registry of Radiologic Technologists-certified techs—except for radiation therapists—are classified as technical personnel.

“Medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals are vital members of the healthcare team,” American Society of Radiologic Technologists President Heather Moore, PhD, RT, said Aug. 16. “We receive orders from physicians every day that require us to use our advanced knowledge of radiation protection, radiation physics, equipment protocols and much more. We’re responsible for creating quality medical images that could save lives, and this in-depth process includes critical thinking, discernment and judgement, key responsibilities that are part of the OMB’s professionalism definition.”

The OMB’s Standard Occupational Classification states: “The employees’ primary duties must be the performance of work requiring advance knowledge defined as work which is prominently intellectual in character, and which includes work requiring the consistent exercise of discretion and judgement.” ASRT, ARRT and others believe reclassification is long overdue, giving the growing importance of the profession. OMB was accepting public comment on the topic through Aug. 12, with the window now closed.

ASRT noted that the office will begin sorting through the thousands of responses to determine if rad techs meet the criteria for professional status. If they decide to accept the request, the feds would enact the revision in 2028, according to the ASRT. The association said it has been requesting this change for years and is excited to see the outcome.

“Asking the OMB to recognize us as professionals is an example of our mission to advance and elevate the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession and be seen by the healthcare community, elected officials and the public,” ASRT CEO Melissa B. Pergola, EdD, RT, said in a statement. “I want to personally thank the ASRT Board of Directors for its vision and leadership, all our sister organizations and every person who took the time to submit comments. Together, we will raise the visibility of and respect for our great profession.”

The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging also voiced its support for the reclassification earlier this week. You can browse more comments here.

Meanwhile, the Department of Veterans Affairs also is requesting information to assist in developing a national standard of practice for VA diagnostic radiologic technologists. The organization is accepting comments through Sept. 9.