HB 29: "An Act requiring licensure of occupations relating to radiologic technology, radiation therapy, and nuclear medicine technology; and providing for an effective date."
00 HOUSE BILL NO. 29 01 "An Act requiring licensure of occupations relating to radiologic technology, radiation 02 therapy, and nuclear medicine technology; and providing for an effective date." 03 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 04 * Section 1. AS 08.01.010 is amended by adding a new paragraph to read: 05 (42) regulation of radiologic technologists under AS 08.89. 06 * Sec. 2. AS 08 is amended by adding a new chapter to read: 07 Chapter 89. Radiologic Technologists. 08 Article 1. Licensing Requirements. 09 Sec. 08.89.100. Unlicensed practice prohibited. (a) Except as provided in (b) 10 of this section, a person may not knowingly 11 (1) use radioactive materials or equipment emitting radiation on a 12 human for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes without a license or permit issued under 13 this chapter that authorizes the person to do so; or 14 (2) employ another to use radioactive materials or equipment emitting
01 radiation on a human for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes unless the employee has 02 an appropriate license or permit issued under this chapter. 03 (b) The licensing or permit requirement in (a) of this section does not apply to 04 a person who is 05 (1) a licensed practitioner, if the practitioner certifies to the department 06 on a form prepared by the department that the practitioner has obtained education or 07 training to ensure the examination or test is performed safely; 08 (2) a dental assistant who uses equipment emitting radiation on 09 humans under the direct supervision of a licensed practitioner; 10 (3) licensed under another provision of state law if the license 11 authorizes the person to use radioactive materials or equipment emitting radiation on a 12 human for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes; 13 (4) a student enrolled in and attending a school or college of medicine, 14 osteopathy, dentistry, dental hygiene, chiropractic, podiatry, radiologic technology, 15 radiation therapy, or nuclear medicine, while, as part of course work in the school or 16 college, the student uses radioactive materials or equipment emitting radiation on 17 humans under 18 (A) the direct supervision of a licensed practitioner; or 19 (B) the direct supervision of a person fully licensed under this 20 chapter as a radiologic technologist, radiation therapist, or nuclear medicine 21 technologist, as appropriate to the course; 22 (5) in the regular medical service of the armed services of the United 23 States or the United States Public Health Service while in the discharge of the person's 24 official duties; or 25 (6) in the regular medical service of the armed services of the United 26 States or the United States Public Health Service volunteering services without pay or 27 other remuneration to a hospital, clinic, medical office, or other medical facility in the 28 state. 29 (c) In this section, "under the direct supervision" includes the amount of 30 supervision needed to ensure that an examination or test conducted is performed safely 31 and appropriately.
01 (d) Violation of this section is a class A misdemeanor. 02 Sec. 08.89.110. Use of title prohibited. (a) Unless a person holds the 03 corresponding full or limited certificate of licensure or permit issued under this 04 chapter or proof of certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists 05 or the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board, a person may not use 06 (1) the title "radiologic technologist," "radiation therapist," "nuclear 07 medicine technologist," "limited radiologic imager," "temporary permitted radiologic 08 technologist," "temporary permitted radiation therapist," "temporary permitted nuclear 09 medicine technologist," or "temporary permitted limited radiologic imager"; 10 (2) an abbreviation that corresponds to a title listed in (1) of this 11 subsection; or 12 (3) another title, abbreviation, letters, figures, signs, or other devices 13 that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the person is licensed or permitted 14 under this chapter. 15 (b) Violation of this section is a class B misdemeanor. 16 Sec. 08.89.120. Qualifications for full certificate of licensure. (a) To receive 17 a full certificate of licensure under this chapter, a person must apply to the department 18 in a manner that indicates whether the person is applying to practice as a radiologic 19 technologist, radiation therapist, or nuclear medicine technologist. In addition, the 20 person shall 21 (1) be at least 18 years of age; 22 (2) have graduated from secondary school or have passed an approved 23 equivalency test; 24 (3) have graduated from a program approved by the department under 25 AS 08.89.130 in the area of practice for which the person seeks licensure; 26 (4) have met the examination requirement under AS 08.89.140 for the 27 area of practice for which the person seeks licensure; and 28 (5) pay the required fees. 29 (b) A full certificate shall specify the area of practice authorized under the 30 certificate. 31 (c) A person with a full certificate of licensure may practice in the authorized
01 area of practice only under the direction of a licensed practitioner. 02 Sec. 08.89.130. Program approval; full certificates. (a) The department 03 shall, on application by a program, evaluate an educational program that trains persons 04 to receive full certificates of licensure under this chapter and approve or disapprove 05 the program according to the criteria in (b) of this section. 06 (b) The department shall approve a program evaluated under this section only 07 if 08 (1) the program is affiliated with at least one hospital that provides a 09 clinical component for the program that the department considers to be adequate; 10 (2) the program's curriculum for each course of study in the areas of 11 practice licensed under AS 08.89.120 meets the standards approved by the Joint 12 Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, the Joint Review 13 Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology, the United 14 States Department of Education, or another appropriate accreditation agency whose 15 standards the department considers equivalent; and 16 (3) a recognized national voluntary accrediting organization has 17 reviewed the program's application to the department and submitted the review 18 comments to the department. 19 Sec. 08.89.140. Examinations; full certificates. The examination requirement 20 under AS 08.89.120 may be fulfilled by meeting one of the following criteria: 21 (1) successfully passing an examination approved by the department in 22 the area of practice for which the full certificate of licensure is sought; 23 (2) proof of current certification by the American Registry of 24 Radiologic Technologists, Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board; or 25 (3) proof of current licensure in the area of practice for which a full 26 certificate of licensure is sought by another jurisdiction with standards for licensure 27 that the department considers to be equivalent to the standards of this state. 28 Sec. 08.89.150. Qualifications for limited radiologic imager. (a) To be 29 licensed as a limited radiologic imager, a person must 30 (1) be at least 18 years of age; 31 (2) have graduated from secondary school or have passed an approved
01 equivalency test; 02 (3) have graduated from a program approved by the department under 03 AS 08.89.160 or have completed not less than two years of clinical experience in 04 limited diagnostic radiologic imaging under the supervision of a fully licensed 05 radiologic technologist or a licensed practitioner; 06 (4) have passed the examination approved by the department for 07 limited radiologic imager licensure; and 08 (5) pay the required fees. 09 (b) A limited radiologic imager 10 (1) may perform limited radiologic diagnostic imaging only under the 11 supervision of a fully licensed radiologic technologist or a licensed practitioner; 12 (2) may perform only radiography of the chest, abdomen, and axial- 13 appendicular skeleton; 14 (3) may not perform radiologic procedures involving the use of 15 contrast media, fluoroscopic equipment, mammography, tomography, magnetic 16 resonance imaging (MRI), bone densitometry using ionizing radiation, nuclear 17 medicine, radiation therapy, or computed tomography imaging (CT scan). 18 Sec. 08.89.160. Program approval for limited radiologic imager. (a) The 19 department shall, on application by a program, evaluate a program that trains persons 20 to be limited radiologic imagers and approve or disapprove the program according to 21 the criteria in (b) of this section. 22 (b) The department shall approve a program evaluated under this section if the 23 program includes didactic instruction and clinical instruction considered adequate by 24 the department, as determined under the department's regulations. In this subsection, 25 "clinical instruction" means hands-on experience in a health facility setting, such as in 26 a hospital or clinic, under the supervision of a licensed practitioner or fully licensed 27 radiologic technologist. 28 Sec. 08.89.165. Examination; limited radiologic imagers. (a) The 29 department shall provide for an examination for qualification for licensure of a limited 30 radiologic imager under AS 08.89.150. The examination must be offered at regular 31 intervals to provide maximum access and sufficient opportunity for interested
01 applicants. 02 (b) The examination provided under this section must be based in whole or in 03 part on a limited scope of practice in radiologic technology examination designed by 04 the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and shall be designed by the 05 department in consultation with the Department of Health and Social Services, the 06 state Medical Board, the Alaska Society of Radiologic Technologists, and at least one 07 member of the American College of Radiology who resides in the state. 08 (c) A passing score on an examination taken under this section is 75 percent as 09 a general average rating. 10 Sec. 08.89.170. Temporary permit. (a) The department may issue to a person 11 a nonrenewable temporary 12 (1) limited permit authorizing practice in an area corresponding to the 13 person's scope of radiology training if the person pays the appropriate fee and 14 (A) is enrolled in a program approved under AS 08.89.160 for 15 that area; or 16 (B) demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the 17 applicant has performed limited scope radiologic diagnostic imaging as 18 described under AS 08.89.150(b) for at least two years before July 1, 2015; or 19 (2) full permit authorizing practice in an area corresponding to the 20 person's scope of radiology training if the person 21 (A) has taken an examination described under AS 08.89.140 or 22 08.89.150 for that area and the results are not yet available; 23 (B) applies for the temporary permit within one year after 24 completing a program approved under AS 08.89.130; and 25 (C) pays the appropriate fee. 26 (b) A temporary permit issued under this section must indicate the area of 27 practice authorized. Except as provided in (c) of this section, the permit expires two 28 years after the date of issuance of the permit. 29 (c) Notwithstanding (a) and (b) of this section, if an applicant has provided 30 proof of certification by a recognized national credentialing body that covers the area 31 of practice for which a certificate of licensure is sought, the department may issue to
01 the applicant, on payment of a fee determined by the department, a nonrenewable 02 temporary permit valid for a period of one year. 03 (d) A person who holds a permit under this section is entitled to use the title 04 "temporary permitted radiologic technologist," "temporary permitted radiation 05 therapist," "temporary permitted nuclear medicine technologist," or "temporary 06 permitted limited radiologic imager." 07 Sec. 08.89.180. License renewal; continuing education. (a) The department 08 may not renew a full certificate of licensure issued under this chapter unless the 09 licensee pays the required fee and submits evidence satisfactory to the department that 10 the person has met the applicable continuing education requirements as determined by 11 the department. 12 (b) A person with a full certificate of licensure who is licensed to practice in 13 more than one area of practice is not required to complete more continuing education 14 than a person with a full certificate of licensure who is licensed in only one area of 15 practice. However, the department, in its communications with persons who have a 16 full certificate of licensure in more than one area of practice, shall encourage those 17 persons to receive continuing education in all of the areas for which they are licensed. 18 (c) The department may not renew a limited radiologic imager license issued 19 under this chapter unless the licensee pays the required fee and submits evidence 20 satisfactory to the department that the person has met the applicable continuing 21 competency requirements as determined by the department. 22 Sec. 08.89.190. License or permit to be kept on file. A person licensed or 23 holding a permit under this chapter shall keep on file at each place of the person's 24 employment the license or permit document issued under this chapter or a verified 25 copy of the license or permit document. 26 Sec. 08.89.200. Notification of address changes. A licensee or permittee 27 under this chapter shall notify the department in writing within 30 days after a name or 28 address change. 29 Sec. 08.89.210. Reapplication after revocation. A person whose license or 30 permit is revoked by the department for a reason other than nonpayment of fees may 31 not apply to be licensed under this chapter until one year has elapsed from the date of
01 revocation. The department may require an examination for reinstatement. 02 Sec. 08.89.220. Fees. The department shall set fees under AS 08.01.065 for 03 each of the following: 04 (1) application; 05 (2) examination; 06 (3) full certificate of licensure; 07 (4) limited certificate of licensure; 08 (5) temporary full permit; 09 (6) temporary limited permit; 10 (7) license renewal; 11 (8) adding an area of practice to an existing license; 12 (9) program approval under AS 08.89.130. 13 Article 2. Prohibitions; Penalties; Disciplinary Sanctions. 14 Sec. 08.89.300. Prescription required. (a) A person holding a license or 15 permit issued under this chapter may not knowingly use a radioactive substance or 16 equipment for radiologic procedures on a human for diagnostic or therapeutic 17 purposes except as prescribed by a licensed practitioner. 18 (b) Violation of this section is a class A misdemeanor. 19 Sec. 08.89.310. Civil penalty for unlicensed practice. A person required to 20 be licensed or to hold a permit under this chapter who engages or offers to engage in a 21 type of diagnostic radiologic imaging, radiation therapy, or nuclear medicine 22 technology for which the person is not licensed or for which the person does not hold 23 a permit may be fined up to $5,000 under the citation procedures of AS 08.01.102 - 24 08.01.104. 25 Sec. 08.89.320. Application requirement for licenses and permits; criminal 26 penalty for certain fraudulent practices. (a) The department shall require that 27 applications for a license or permit issued under this chapter be submitted under oath 28 or affirmation or with notice that false statements made are punishable as unsworn 29 falsification in the second degree under AS 11.56.210. 30 (b) A person who obtains or attempts to obtain a license or permit issued 31 under this chapter by false, fraudulent, or dishonest means is subject to prosecution for
01 perjury or unsworn falsification. 02 (c) A person who knowingly forges, counterfeits, or alters a license or permit 03 issued under this chapter is subject to prosecution for forgery under AS 11.46.505. 04 Sec. 08.89.330. Grounds for disciplinary sanctions or denial of license. The 05 department may impose a disciplinary sanction authorized under AS 08.89.340 on a 06 person licensed or holding a permit under this chapter or refuse to issue or renew a 07 license or permit if the department finds that the person 08 (1) used fraud or deceit in the procurement or holding of the license or 09 permit or in the application process for the license or permit; 10 (2) has been convicted of a felony in a court of competent jurisdiction, 11 either within or outside of this state, unless the conviction has been reversed and the 12 person has been discharged or acquitted, or unless the person has been pardoned with 13 full restoration of civil rights; 14 (3) is or has been afflicted with a medical problem, disability, or 15 addiction that, in the opinion of the department, impairs professional competence; 16 (4) has aided a person who is not licensed or permitted under this 17 chapter, or otherwise authorized to perform the duties of a licensee or permittee, to 18 perform diagnostic radiologic imaging, radiation therapy, or nuclear medicine 19 technology; 20 (5) has undertaken or engaged in a radiologic technology practice 21 beyond the scope of duties permitted by law; 22 (6) has, under an assumed name, impersonated a person licensed or 23 formerly licensed under this chapter or is performing duties of a fully certificated 24 licensee, a limited certificate licensee, or a person holding a permit; 25 (7) is a licensee or permittee under this chapter and has violated the 26 code of ethics established by the department; 27 (8) has interpreted a diagnostic image for a clinician, a patient, the 28 patient's family, or the public; 29 (9) is a licensee or permittee under this chapter and is or has been 30 incompetent or negligent in performance of the licensee's or permittee's duties. 31 Sec. 08.89.340. Disciplinary sanctions. (a) When the department finds that a
01 person licensed or holding a permit under this chapter has committed an act listed in 02 AS 08.89.330, the department may impose the following sanctions singly or in 03 combination: 04 (1) permanently revoke a license to practice; 05 (2) suspend a license for a determinate period of time; 06 (3) censure a licensee; 07 (4) issue a letter of reprimand; 08 (5) place a licensee on probationary status and require the licensee to 09 (A) report regularly to the department on matters involving the 10 basis of probation; 11 (B) limit practice to those areas prescribed; 12 (C) continue professional education until a satisfactory degree 13 of skill has been attained in those areas determined by the department to need 14 improvement; 15 (6) impose limitations or conditions on the practice of a licensee. 16 (b) The department may withdraw a limitation, condition, or probationary 17 status if it finds that the deficiency that required the sanction has been remedied. 18 (c) The department may summarily suspend a license before final hearing or 19 during the appeals process if the department finds that the licensee poses a clear and 20 immediate danger to the public welfare and safety. A person is entitled to a hearing 21 conducted by the office of administrative hearings under AS 44.64.010 within seven 22 days after the suspension order is issued. A person may appeal an adverse decision 23 after hearing to the superior court. 24 (d) The department may reinstate a license that has been suspended or revoked 25 if the department finds after a hearing that the person is able to practice with 26 reasonable skill and safety. 27 Article 3. General Provisions. 28 Sec. 08.89.900. Unified occupation for fee purposes. For purposes of 29 AS 08.01.065, all persons licensed or holding a permit under this chapter are 30 considered to be engaged in the same occupation. 31 Sec. 08.89.910. Regulations. The department shall adopt regulations necessary
01 to implement this chapter. 02 Sec. 08.89.990. Definitions. In this chapter, 03 (1) "axial-appendicular skeleton" means the skull, including the 04 mandible, sinuses, and facial bones; spine, including cervical, thoracic, lumbar, 05 sacrum, and coccyx areas; pelvis; ribs; and upper and lower extremities; 06 (2) "department" means the Department of Commerce, Community, 07 and Economic Development; 08 (3) "diagnostic radiologic imaging" means the making of film records 09 or digital records by passage of radiation through the body to act on specially 10 sensitized film or digital sensors; 11 (4) "direct supervision" means in the physical presence of a person 12 who assists, evaluates, and approves the performance of tasks; 13 (5) "knowingly" has the meaning given in AS 11.81.900(a); 14 (6) "licensed practitioner" means a physician, physician assistant, 15 nurse practitioner, podiatrist, osteopath, dentist, or chiropractor who is either licensed 16 in this state or, if practicing as a physician, podiatrist, or osteopath, is exempt from 17 licensure under AS 08.64.370(1) or (4); 18 (7) "limited radiologic imager" means a person licensed under 19 AS 08.89.150 to perform diagnostic radiologic imaging within the limits specified in 20 AS 08.89.150(b); 21 (8) "nuclear medicine technologist" means a person who prepares, 22 calibrates, and administers radiopharmaceutical agents to humans for diagnostic or 23 therapeutic purposes; 24 (9) "radiation therapist" means a person who applies radiation to 25 humans for therapeutic purposes; 26 (10) "radiologic technologist" means a person who uses radiation on 27 humans for diagnostic purposes. 28 * Sec. 3. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to 29 read: 30 REGULATIONS. The Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic 31 Development may adopt regulations to implement this Act. The regulations take effect under
01 AS 44.62 (Administrative Procedure Act) but not before the effective date of the law 02 implemented by the regulations. 03 * Sec. 4. AS 08.89.100 and 08.89.310, enacted by sec. 2 of this Act, take effect July 1, 04 2016. 05 * Sec. 5. Section 3 of this Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c). 06 * Sec. 6. Except as provided in secs. 4 and 5 of this Act, this Act takes effect July 1, 2015.