Radiologic Technologist Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)Q1: I want to know the current status of a certificate holder. Where can I find this information? Q3: What types of certification are offered in Florida? Q4: What are the requirements for certification? Q6: How does the examination process work ? Q7: What kind of exam does Florida use ? Q8: When and where is the exam given ? Q10: Is examination required for renewal of a certificate ? Q11: Can an individual currently registered with ARRT work in Florida ? Q12: Can an individual currently registered with NMTCB work in Florida ? Q13: Where can I get a list of approved continuing education providers ? Q14: How does someone become an approved continuing education provider ? Q16: What are the requirements for renewing my active certificate before it expires ? Q18: Can you help me become certified as an MRI or ultrasound technologist ? Q20: I don't think the person who took my x-ray has a license. What can I do ? Q1: I want to know the current status of a certificate holder. Where can I find this information?
A: You can find out the current status, expiration date, category, and other information by visiting
the Certificate
Holder Search Page A: Yes, unless you qualify for an exemption listed under s. 468.302, Florida Statute (F.S.) Section 468.302(1), F.S., states that no person shall use ionizing radiation on a human unless that person is a licensed practitioner or a radiologic technology certificate holder in Florida. According to s. 468.301, F.S., "licensed practitioner" means a person who is licensed or otherwise authorized by law in Florida to practice medicine, podiatric medicine, chiropody, osteopathic medicine, naturopathy, or chiropractic medicine in this state. A radiologic technology certificate holder is a: Basic X-ray Machine Operator, Basic X-ray Machine Operator-Podiatric Medicine, General Radiographer, Nuclear Medicine Technologist, Radiation Therapy Technologist or Radiologist Assistant. Section 468.302(6), F.S. contains a list of persons who may be exempt under certain situations which includes medical students, radiologic technology students, federal employees, or persons performing certain cardiopulmonary services. See s. 468.301, F.S., and s. 468.302, F.S., for more details. Q3: What types of certification are offered in Florida? A: Florida offers six types of certification: Basic X-ray Machine Operator, Basic X-ray Machine Operator-Podiatric Medicine, General Radiographer, Nuclear Medicine Technologist, Radiation Therapy Technologist, and Radiologist Assistant. Q4: What are the requirements for certification? A: Florida provides two avenues
of certification for Radiologic Technology
professionals: certification by examination
or certification by endorsement. Under s. 468.3065, F.S., applicants may be certified by endorsement if they meet all the requirements listed above and can demonstrate that they hold a current Radiologic Technology certificate, license, or registration in another jurisdiction which is substantially equivalent (in the department's opinion) to the Florida certificate. Applicants who are not applying by endorsement must meet all requirements and pass the Florida certification exam. A: A list of Florida approved Radiologic
Technology programs can be found on our Forms & Documents page
For a list of national programs please
visit the ARRT's Internet site Q6: How does the examination process work? A: Once the candidate is approved for
examination we will mail them an "Exam Approval" letter. The applicant needs to forward this to ARRT and
ensure they have registered directly with ARRT for the exam. About a week later, the test administrator (ARRT) will send
the candidate an examination
information packet including a Candidate Status
Report, an Exam Handbook and scheduling
instructions. The exam candidate will be assigned a
90-day testing window and given
instructions on how to contact Pearson VUE to schedule an exam
appointment. Pearson VUE testing centers
are located throughout Florida and the nation
and work in conjunction with our test
administrator (visit Pearson VUE's Internet site Q7: What kind of exam does Florida use? A: To ensure adherance to nationally accepted standards, Florida contracts with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) for all it's examination services. For example, for our Basic X-ray Machine Operator, we use ARRT's Limited Scope Radiography exam. Q8: When and where is the exam given? A: The examination is given at Pearson VUE testing centers
throughout the nation. Please refer to your Exam Handbook or visit Pearson VUE A: It takes about 2 weeks from the date you take the exam for the successful result to be processed and updated to the system. It may take longer if the exam contractor or test centers are closed due to state or federal holidays. Once the result is in the system it will take an additional couple days for your certificate to be printed and mailed out. However, you can work as soon as the on-line system indicates your certificate is Active. Q10: Is examination required for renewal of a certificate? A: No. Per s. 468.309(1)(a), F.S., a certificate shall be renewed by the department for a period of two years upon payment of a renewal fee; completion of 12 hours of approved continuing education; and submission of a completed renewal application containing such information as the department deems necessary to show that the applicant for renewal is a certificate holder in good standing. Please refer to s. 468.309, F.S., for additional information. Q11: Can an individual currently registered with ARRT work in Florida? A: Only if they also have an active Florida certificate. Florida certification is required of all Radiologic Technology professionals practicing in Florida. See s. 468.302, F.S., for further information. Persons with current ARRT licensure can apply for certification by endorsement in Florida as long as they meet all other requirements. Q12: Can an individual currently registered with NMTCB work in Florida? A: Only if they also have an active Florida certificate. Florida certification is required of all Nuclear Medicine Technologists practicing in the State of Florida. See s. 468.302, F.S., for further information. Persons with current NMTCB licensure can apply for endorsement in Florida as long as they meet all other requirements. Q13: Where can I get a list of approved continuing education providers? A: You can find a list on our Approved Continuing Education Provider page Q14: How does someone become an approved continuing education provider? A: To become an approved provider, you must complete and submit, at least 30 days prior to the course presentation date: a Provider Information Sheet (Form 374) for each course; a copy of the course material (if home study or Internet) or course outline (if live); and a resume for each course presenter. For a complete understanding of the process and your responsibilities as a provider, please download a copy of our Provider Guidelines booklet from the Forms and Documents page. The Provider Information Sheet (Form 374) can be downloaded from the same location.
A: The first thing to do is make sure you took an
approved course
from an approved provider, Q16: What are the requirements for renewing my active certificate before it expires? A: Approximately 60 days prior to your certificate expiration date, the
department will mail a renewal form and
instructions to your last known address. In order to renew, you must submit a completed
renewal (either online or via paper form), correct fees, and proof of 12 hours of approved
continuing education from an approved provider A: A certificate that has been expired or inactive can be reactivated for
up to 10 years after going inactive or expired. To reactivate a certificate,
you need to
contact us and request a reactivation form and reactivation instructions.
Reactivation is very similar to renewal and requires submission of the form,
correct fees, and proof of completing the required number of
approved continuing education hours from an approved
provider Q18: Can you help me become certified as an MRI or ultrasound technologist? A: No. These professions are not licensed or certified by the Department of Health. The statute that gives the Department the authority to certify radiologic technologists, Chapter 468, Part IV, F.S., only applies to persons who administer ionizing radiation (x-rays, gamma rays, etc.) to humans. MRI and ultrasound do not use ionizing radiation. A: No. The radiologic technology program only certifies General Radiographers, Basic X-ray Machine Operators, Nuclear Medicine Technologists, and Radiation Therapy Technologists. For information about licensure of other health professionals, please visit the Department's Division of Medical Quality Assurance. Q20: I don't think the person who took my x-ray has a license. What can I do? A: You should contact our office and provide information so that we can investigate.
You can report allegations of uncertified x-ray operators, or other violations of the radiologic technologist
certification laws.
Please provide as much information as you can, including: 1) the complete name, address,
and phone number of the facility involved; 2) name, address, and phone number of the owner's
of the facility; 3) name, address, phone number, and description of the alleged operators/violators; 4)
name, address, and phone number of any witnesses who can corroborate your
allegation; 5) date, time, patients' names, body part x-rayed, and complete description of the violation;
6) whether the owners or supervising physicians knew about this activity; 7) a description of any physical
evidence that can corroborate your allegation, such as patient log book or x-rays showing operator's name or initials,
and; 8) any other information you can provide that would help the investigation.
If you have other questions that are not covered here, please let us know. |
