- Winter 2006-

ARRT Advances Plan to Introduce MRI Primary Pathway in 2006

ARRT’s primary pathway to MRI certification is moving forward for implementation in 2006, with one key issue remaining to be finalized—how to assure the quality of educational programs.

The new “primary” pathway will require graduation from an appropriately accredited program and will be available to both non-R.T.s and R.T.s. The existing “post-primary” pathway, on the other hand, requires candidates to be certified and registered by ARRT in radiography, nuclear medicine technology or radiation therapy.

“Since not all graduates of MRI programs will have the foundation of a prior imaging or therapy program, it is essential that they receive a well-rounded preparation in the MRI program,” notes ARRT Executive Director Jerry B. Reid, Ph.D. In consultation with pertinent professional organizations and key individuals in MRI education, ARRT will develop recognition guidelines for accreditation mechanisms.

Two key elements of ARRT’s certification program in MRI—clinical competency requirements and exam content specifications—are in the final approval process. They were posted on the www.arrt.org Web site in November and will be reproduced in the certification handbook scheduled for publication this fall.

The revised exam—with approximately 20 more questions than the current version—will be the same for candidates qualifying under both the primary and post-primary pathways. MRI educators, clinicians and professional associations, are reviewing a draft of the competency requirements. The requirements are intended to demonstrate—as part of a candidate’s completion of an accredited educational program—competence in a variety of MRI procedures.

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists promotes high standards of patient care by recognizing qualified individuals in medical imaging, interventional procedures and radiation therapy. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, ARRT evaluates, certifies and annually registers more than 250,000 radiologic technologists across the United States.

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