(A) successful completion of an entry-level or advanced-level
examination previously passed in the same discipline of radiologic
technology administered by or for the ARRT during the renewal period.
The examinations shall be topics dealing with ionizing forms of radiation
administered to human beings for medical purposes. Such successful
completion shall be limited to not more than one-half of the continuing
education hours required;
(B) successful completion or recertification in a cardiopulmonary
resuscitation course, basic cardiac life support course, or advanced
cardiac life support course during the continuing education period.
Such successful completion or recertification shall be limited to
not more than:
(i) three hours credit during a renewal period for
a cardiopulmonary resuscitation course or basic cardiac life support
course; or
(ii) six hours credit during a renewal period for an
advanced cardiac life support course;
(C) attendance and participation in tumor conferences
(limited to six hours), in-service education and training offered
or sponsored by Joint Commission-accredited or Medicare certified
hospitals, provided the education/training is properly documented
and is related to the profession of radiologic technology;
(D) teaching in a program accredited by a regional
accrediting organization such as the Southern Association of Colleges
and Schools; or an institution accredited by JRCERT, JRCNMT, JTCCVT,
CCE, ABHES, ASRT, professional organizations or associations, or a
federal, state, or local governmental entity, with a limit of one
contact hour of credit for each hour of instruction per topic item
once during the continuing education reporting period for up to a
total of 6 hours. No credit shall be given for teaching that is required
as part of one's employment. Credit may be granted in direct, indirect
or non-ionizing radiation based on the topic; or
(E) developing and publishing a manuscript of at least
1,000 words in length related to radiologic technology with a limit
of six contact hours of credit during a continuing education period.
Upon audit by the board, the certificate holder must submit a letter
from the publisher indicating acceptance of the manuscript for publication
or a copy of the published work. The date of publication will determine
the continuing education period for which credit will be granted.
Credit may be granted in direct, indirect or non-ionizing radiation
based on the topic.
(4) Reporting Requirements. A certificate holder or
NCT must report on the biennial renewal application form if she or
he has completed the required continuing education during the previous
renewal period.
(A) A certificate holder or NCT may carry forward continuing
education credit hours that meet the requirements under this subsection
and earned prior to the biennial registration renewal period which
are in excess of the biennial hour requirement, and apply such hours
to the subsequent renewal period requirements, except for the required
course in human trafficking prevention.
(B) For RAs or MRTs, a maximum of 48 total excess credit
hours meeting the requirements under this subsection may be carried
forward, except for the required course in human trafficking prevention.
Excess continuing education credits may not be carried forward or
applied to a report of continuing education more than two years beyond
the date of the registration following the period during which the
credits were earned.
(C) For LMRTs, a maximum of 24 hours meeting the requirements
of this subsection may be carried forward, except for the required
course in human trafficking prevention. Excess continuing education
credits may not be carried forward or applied to a report of continuing
education more than two years beyond the date of the registration
following the period during which the credits were earned.
(D) For NCTS, a maximum of 12 total excess credit hours
meeting the requirements of this subsection may be carried forward,
except for the required course in human trafficking prevention. Excess
continuing education credits may not be carried forward or applied
to a report of continuing education more than two years beyond the
date of the registration following the period during which the credits
were earned.
(5) Exemptions.
(A) A certificate holder or NCT may request in writing
an exemption for the following reasons, subject to the approval of
the certification committee of the board:
(i) catastrophic illness;
(ii) military service of longer than one year's duration
outside the United States;
(iii) residence of longer than one year's duration
outside the United States; or
(iv) good cause shown on written application of the
certificate holder that gives satisfactory evidence to the board that
the certificate holder is unable to comply with the requirement for
continuing medical education.
(B) An exception under paragraph (5) of this subsection
may not exceed one registration period, but may be renewed biennially,
subject to the approval of the board.
(6) A certificate holder or NCT who is a military service
member may request an extension of time, not to exceed two years,
to complete any continuing education requirements.
(7) This subsection does not prevent the board from
taking disciplinary action with respect to a NCT or certificate holder
or an applicant for such authorization by requiring additional hours
of continuing education or of specific course subjects.
(8) The board may require written verification of continuing
education credits from any certificate holder or NCT within 30 days
of request. Failure to provide such verification may result in disciplinary
action by the board.
(9) Unless exempted under the terms of this subsection,
a certificate holder or NCT's failure to obtain and timely report
required hours of continuing education as required and provided for
in this subsection shall result in the nonrenewal of the authorization
to practice until such time as the certificate holder or NCT obtains
and reports the required continuing education hours; however, the
executive director of the Medical board may issue a temporary certificate
or NCT registration numbered so as to correspond to the nonrenewed
certificate or NCT registration. Such a temporary authorization to
practice shall be issued at the direction of the executive director
for a period of no longer than 90 days. A temporary authorization
to practice issued pursuant to this subsection may be issued to allow
the opportunity to correct any deficiency so as not to require termination
of practice.
(10) Determination of contact hour credits. A contact
hour shall be defined as 50 minutes of attendance and participation.
One-half contact hour shall be defined as 30 minutes of attendance
and participation during a 30-minute period.
(d) Criminal History Requirement for Registration Renewal.
(1) An applicant must submit a complete and legible
set of fingerprints for purposes of performing a criminal history
check.
(2) The board may not renew the certificate or NCT
registration of a person who does not comply with the requirement
of paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(3) A certificate holder or NCT is not required to
submit fingerprints under this section for the renewal of the certificate
or registration if the holder has previously submitted fingerprints
for the initial issuance or prior renewal of a certificate or NCT
registration.
(e) Report of Impairment on Registration Form.
(1) A certificate holder or NCT who reports an impairment
that affects his or her ability to actively practice shall be given
written notice of the following:
(A) based on the individual's impairment, he or she
may request:
(i) to be placed on retired status pursuant to §194.10
of this title (relating to Retired Certificate or NCT Registration);
(ii) to voluntarily surrender the certificate or NCT
registration pursuant to §194.33 of this title (relating to Voluntary
Relinquishment or Surrender of Certificate or Permit); or
(iii) to be referred to the Texas Physician Health
Program pursuant to Chapter 180 of this title (relating to Texas Physician
Health Program and Rehabilitation Orders); and
(B) that failure to respond to the written notice or
otherwise not comply with paragraph (1) of this subsection within
45 days shall result in a referral to the board's investigation division
for possible disciplinary action.
(2) The board shall provide written notice as described
in paragraph (1) of this subsection within 30 days of receipt of the
renewal application form indicating the impairment.
(f) The board shall deny an application for renewal
of an authorization to practice upon notice of the certificate or
NCT registration holder's default of child support payments, as provided
under Chapter 232 of the Texas Family Code.
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