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• How many credits do I need?

  All radiologic technologists (except those that are registered as "retired") must earn 24 CE credits every two years. This two-year period is called a biennium. Your biennium is assigned by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology and is linked to your birth month and the year of your initial ARRT examination. The biennium begins on the first day of your birth month and ends two years later on the last day of the month before your birth month. Radiologic technologists who have successfully completed their first ARRT certification exam begin the mandatory CE requirements on the first day of their next birth month after the exam. For example, a new technologist born in July who passes an initial certification exam in May 2020 begins their first CE biennium on July 1, 2020, and must report CE compliance with their ARRT renewal two years later in 2022.

  To verify your biennium dates online, visit www.arrt.org and click on RT Directory.

  Find answers to commonly asked CE and licensure questions in "A Guide for Graduates." This short video explains ARRT’s continuing education requirements and how the biennium works.

• How do I earn CE credits?

  There are three options for meeting your CE requirements:

  You can earn credits by completing educational activities that meet criteria established by the ARRT. Of the required 24 CE credits, all must be Category A or A+ credit.

  You can pass an ARRT primary certification examination in a discipline you have not previously passed and for which you are eligible. Primary examinations in nuclear medicine through the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board also are accepted, as well as medical dosimetry certification through the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board and certification in diagnostic medical sonography, diagnostic vascular technology and diagnostic cardiac sonography through the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. Certification in radiology administration through the Association for Medical Imaging Management is also accepted. Technologists who become certified in an additional discipline earn 24 Category A CE credits.

  You can pass a postprimary exam for which you are eligible. Postprimary exams are the ARRT exams in mammography, cardiovascular-interventional technology, vascular sonography, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, sonography, bone densitometry, quality management and sonography. Technologists who have earned a postprimary certificate earn 24 Category A CE credits.

  For example, a technologist already certified in radiography must earn 24 CE credits in a two-year period. To satisfy her CE requirement, she can complete CE activities worth 24 credits from activities approved for Category A or A+ credit, become certified in an additional primary discipline or earn a postprimary certificate.

• What is Category A credit?

  Category A activities are those evaluated and approved by a Recognized Continuing Education Evaluation Mechanism (RCEEM). Because the ASRT is a RCEEM, any activity approved by the ASRT is awarded Category A or A+ credit. When choosing your CE activities, look for Category A or A+ approval.

  In addition, a few other activities receive Category A status regardless of whether they have been approved by a RCEEM. They include:

  • Official certification in advanced cardiac life support, pediatric advanced life support, instructor or instructor trainer courses if approved by a RCEEM or with a valid card from the Red Cross, the American Heart Association or the American Health and Safety Institute. Credits are awarded on the date of certification or recertification and are limited to six credits per biennium. The ARRT no longer accepts basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for Category A credit. Basic CPR is generally considered a job responsibility and not a continuing education activity.
  • Approved academic course. The Registry defines an "approved academic course" as a formal course of study offered by an accredited postsecondary educational institution in the biologic sciences, physical sciences, radiologic sciences, health and medical sciences, communication (verbal and written), mathematics, computers or education methodology and certain social science courses, such as psychology and sociology.

  Academic courses not accepted for Category A CE credit include classes in astronomy, geology, geography, history, literature, political science, fine arts, music, philosophy and religion.

• What is Category A+ (plus) credit?

  Category A+ credit is awarded to CE activities that meet the content criteria for registered radiologist assistants. Category A+ CE materials must be related to one or more clinical activities in the role delineation of the R.R.A., and the activity must be approved by an organization recognized by the ARRT as an A+ CE evaluation mechanism. There are currently three RCEEM+ organizations recognized by the ARRT: the ASRT, the Radiological Society of North America and the Society of Nuclear Medicine - Technologist Section.

  R.T.s may complete A+ activities to satisfy part or all of their required CE credits each biennium.

• What type of credits can I claim for CE to maintain my R.R.A. status?

  The R.R.A. must complete 50 CE credits within a biennium period. Activities approved for Category 1 CE credit by the AMA/ACCME, AAPA, or the AAFP may only be used for CE compliance by R.R.A.s and are limited to 25 CE credits per biennium. These CE activities approved and completed prior to January 1, 2023 will be tracked as category P CE credits. After this date, the ARRT will no longer accept category P CE credits for R.R.A.s.
  
  For R.R.A.s who are members, ASRT tracks and transfers all credits from the CE record to the ARRT to help maintain status.

• Do I need to send my ASRT CE credit report to the ARRT?

  You should not send your CE credit report unless the ARRT audits you and requests documentation. The ARRT randomly selects technologists for CE audit. If you receive a letter from the ARRT requesting documentation for the credits you reported, that is when you submit the ASRT CE credit report.

• Does ARDMS accept ASRT-approved activities to meet my CE requirements?

  The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography will accept credits for CE activities approved by the ASRT. There are no restrictions on CE content, but the ARDMS reserves the right to reject CE credits. For more information, visit the ARDMS website.

• Can I use ASRT-approved activities to meet the CE requirements for my California state license?

  The California Department of Health Services radiologic technology regulations require CE credits to be earned in "subjects related to the application of x-ray to the human body." Acceptable CE subjects include x-ray administration, x-ray management, x-ray pathology, x-ray diagnosis and x-ray quality control. Because subjects in MRI and ultrasound are not related to the application of x-ray to the human body, the California Department of Health will not accept them for CE credit. The California Department of Health will accept CE activities approved by ASRT, as long as the subjects meet the regulatory requirements.

• Does ASRT track and transfer credits to the state of Florida?

  Yes. ASRT members who indicate they have a Florida state license or who have a Florida address will have their CE credits automatically transferred to the Florida Department of Health.

  The transfer will occur on the 15th of each month. Please allow 60 days from the date of completion of the ASRT-sponsored course for the credits to show in the FLDOH record.

  Reach the Florida Department of Health at www.flhealthsource.com or 850-921-6365.

• Does ASRT track and transfer credits to the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography?

  Yes.  Only ASRT members whose ARDMS number is in their member profile will have their CE credits automatically transferred to the ARDMS.
  
  All ASRT-approved CE credits will be transferred to ARDMS daily. (Credit transfers began in February 2015.)

• Does ASRT track and transfer credits to the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board?

  Yes. Only ASRT members who have provided the MDCB with a valid ASRT ID number will have their CE credits automatically transferred to the MDCB.

  The transfer only contains credits earned from completing ASRT-sponsored activities, including Directed Readings and conferences.

  To ensure the MDCB has your ASRT ID number for credit tracking, contact MDCB member services at 866-813-6322.

• How do I track my credits?

  Radiologic technologists must maintain proof that they participate in continuing education. When you complete any CE activity, be sure to obtain complete documentation from the sponsor. See the documentation checklist at the end of this section.

  When you attend a lecture, seminar or other type of presentation, obtain a certificate of completion from the activity's sponsor. If you track your own CE credits, the Registry will request to see documentation if you are audited.

  If you do not want to track your own CE credits, you can rely on a Registry-approved full-service record keeper like the ASRT to help you. The Registry accepts a report from a full-service record keeper as proof of CE participation if you are audited.

  The ASRT is a full-service record keeper. All ASRT members are automatically enrolled in the system. ASRT tracks all Category A or A+ CE credits when members submit a copy of their CE certificate or documentation.

  The ASRT maintains a record of all ASRT members' CE credits. Electronic transfer of your credits to the ARRT occurs automatically if your birthday and name in the ASRT database match the ARRT database. Your Category A and A+ credits are transferred daily beginning the two months preceding your biennium end date through the month following your biennium end date. For example, if the ARRT biennium ends on March 31, 2013, ASRT will transfer credits beginning Jan. 1, 2013, and stop the transfer on April 30, 2013. Credits are earned and tracked for the date and within the biennium the activity is completed. You are encouraged to review your CE record two months prior to the end of your biennium. You may view your CE record by visiting My CE Record on the ASRT website or by calling Member Services at 800-444-2778.

• Where can I find credits?

  Continuing education opportunities for radiologic technologists are easier than ever to find. Seminars, directed readings, webcasts, online programs, in-services and college courses are just a few of the many ways you can earn CE credit. You also can receive credit for lecturing or publishing a scholarly article. Take time to investigate the options available to you.

  Of course, some activities are not eligible for CE credit, either because they are considered part of your job or because they are not relevant to the radiologic sciences. Activities ineligible for CE credit include:

  • Attendance at routine department meetings or staff meetings.
  • Chart rounds, journal clubs, poster sessions, tours and viewing exhibits.
  • Elected office or committee appointments.
  • Activities not relevant to the practice of radiologic technology.
  • Student x-ray bowls or similar competitions.
  • Development of manuals related to work or professional responsibilities.
  • Courses specific to the policies and procedures of an employer or an institution.

• How are CE credits determined?

  CE credits are based on a contact hour of 50 to 60 minutes. One contact hour is equal to 1 CE credit. The minimum credit awarded is 0.5, so an activity must be at least 30 minutes in length. Self-learning activities are determined by how long it takes to complete the activity, excluding the post-test. The content of the activity also is evaluated for relevancy. It must be planned, organized and administered to enhance the professional knowledge and skills that an R.T. or R.R.A. uses to provide service to patients, the public or the medical profession.

  Here is a helpful chart to demonstrate what credits are awarded for various activity lengths:

  Minutes	Credit	Comments
  <30	0.0
  30-44	0.5
  45-49	.75
  50-74	1.0
  75-99	1.5
  100-124	2.0
  >130	To be determined
  60 minutes of hands-on lab or clinical practice as part of an activity	0.5	Practice time is calculated at half-credit if the practice is individual and/or instructor led. No credit for group practice time. Hands-on credits cannot exceed the didactic/lecture credit given the activity.
  Hands-on, lab or clinical practice as part of applications training	0.0	Hands-on components of applications training are not eligible

• How many credits can I earn from an academic course?

  Academic CE credit is based on several factors: the course content and whether it is quarter or semester credit. You must also earn a grade of “C” or better in the course, the course must be completed at an accredited post-secondary school and the credit must be transferrable to a degree program.

  For approved courses, one semester credit hour earns 16 Category A CE credits and a quarter credit earns 12 Category A CE credits.

  Courses in biological, physical, radiologic, health, medical and social sciences, communications (both verbal and written), mathematics, computers or educational methodology are relevant academic credit courses. You cannot receive credit for geography, history, literature, political science, fine arts, religion, philosophy, geology, astronomy or physical education courses.

• Does CPR certification count for CE credit?

  Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification will be awarded a maximum of 6 CE credits with a valid advanced CPR card from the American Heart Association or the American Safety and Health Institute. The total number of credits from advanced CPR certification is limited to 6 CE credits per biennium.

  The ARRT does not accept credit for Basic CPR (BLS).

  If you meet the requirements specified above, please send a copy of the front and back of your CPR card to the ASRT Continuing Education Department by e-mail to cetrack@asrt.org, by fax to 505-816-1951 or by website upload. Once we receive your card, it may take up to seven to ten business days to appear on your record. You can use one of the methods below to verify that the credits have been added to your record:

  1. Visit the ASRT website: www.asrt.org/checkmyce
  2. Call 800-444-2778.