LIMITED LICENSE. See New Mexico Environment Department Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Program
TITLE 20 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
CHAPTER 3 RADIATION PROTECTION
PART 20 RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY CERTIFICATION
20.3.20.1 ISSUING AGENCY: Environmental Improvement Board.
20.3.20.2 SCOPE: All persons engaged in the practice of radiologic technology in the application of ionizing radiation.
20.3.20.3 STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Medical Radiation Health and Safety Act, Sections 61-14E-1 to 61-14E-12 NMSA 1978 and Section 74-1-8 NMSA 1978.
20.3.20.300 CERTIFICATION:
A. Requirement. It is unlawful for any person, other than a person certified by the department, to:
(1) use ionizing radiation on humans;
(2) engage in any of the radiology specialties as defined by the Act and described in this part (20.3.20 NMAC);
(3) use the title “radiologic technologist”, “certified radiologic technologist”, “radiologist assistant”, “certified radiologist assistant”, “limited x-ray machine operator”, or “certified limited x-ray machine operator”;
(4) use the abbreviated title “CRT”, “RT”, “RA”, “CRA”, “LXMO”, or “CLXMO”; or
(5) use any other title, abbreviated title, abbreviation, letters, figures, signs, or other devices to indicate the person is a certified radiologic technologist, certified radiologist assistant, or a certified limited x-ray machine operator.
B. Types of certification. Certificates granted by the department shall be of five (5) types, identifiable and applicable as specified in this subsection.
(1) Full certificate. This certification is utilized for radiologic technologists who, within their areas of radiologic specialization, apply radiopharmaceutical agents or radiation to humans for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes under the direction of a licensed practitioner; and who demonstrates or successfully complete the requirements established for the certificate. Each certificate shall identify the radiology specialty of the certified technologist. The certificate of a person qualified in more than one area of radiological specialization shall identify all areas of specialization. A person holding a certificate may use the title “radiologic technologist” or “certified radiologic technologist” or the abbreviated title “CRT”.
(2) Certificate of limited x-ray machine operation. This certification is utilized for persons who perform restricted diagnostic radiography, under the supervision of a licensed practitioner or a radiologic technologist with respect to the supervision and areas of specialty; and who demonstrate or successfully complete the requirements for the certificate of limited x-ray machine operation. Each certificate of limited x-ray machine operation shall identify the procedural specialty of the certified limited x-ray machine operator, i.e., chest and thorax, extremities, podiatric, cranium, vertebral column or dental diagnostics. Persons holding a limited certificate in one or more categories may not perform radiologic procedures involving the use of contrast media, utilization of fluoroscopic equipment, mammography, computed tomography, bedside radiography, nuclear medicine, or radiation therapy procedures. A person holding a certificate of limited x-ray machine operation may use the title “limited x-ray machine operator” or “certified limited x-ray machine operator”, or the abbreviated title “LXMO” or “CLXMO”.
E. Certification by examination of credentials. Any person seeking a certificate through an examination of credentials shall submit an application to the department accompanied by the application fee, demonstrating that the applicant completed school through the twelfth (12th) grade or has passed the high school equivalency test, and:
(1) is currently certified by a nationally recognized certifying organization, (i.e., the ARRT or the NMTCB), provided that the department finds that certification was granted on standards that are adequate to meet the purposes of the Act and will afford at least as much protection to the public as are afforded by the standards established by the standards established in this part (20.3.20 NMAC); or
(2) is currently certified as a radiologic technologist or radiologic assistant in another state and has been actively employed as a radiologic technologist or radiologist assistant for a period totaling no less than one year in the three years prior to application at a rate of no less than 1,000 hours per year, such employment must have been in the radiology specialty for which certification is requested, provided the certificate was issued on the basis of qualifications at least as stringent as standards established by this part (20.3.20 NMAC).
F. Certification by written examination.
(1) Certificate. Any person seeking a certificate by written examination shall:
(a) submit an application to the department, accompanied by the application and examination fee, demonstrating that the applicant:
(i) has completed school successfully through the twelfth (12th) grade or has passed the high school equivalency test; and
(ii) has graduated from an approved program in the radiologic technology specialty for which certification is requested or has been a radiologic technologist for a period totaling no less than three years in the five years prior to application at a rate of no less than 1,000 hours per year (such employment must be in the radiologic specialty for which certification is requested);
(b) completed successfully the written examination prescribed by the department for each radiologic technology specialty for which certification is requested.
(2) Certificate of limited x-ray machine operation. Any person seeking a certificate of limited x-ray machine operation by written examination shall:
(a) submit an application to the department, accompanied by the application and examination fees, demonstrating that the applicant:
(i) has completed school through the twelfth (12th) grade or has passed the high school equivalency test; and
(ii) has satisfactorily completed an approved program for the limited specialty for which certification is requested;
(b) completed successfully the written examination prescribed by the department for each limited specialty for which the certificate of limited x-ray machine operation is requested, or be certified by the ACRRT for a spine limited x-ray machine operator certificate.
(3) Reexamination. Any person failing a state examination three times will be required to demonstrate to the department the successful completion of additional remedial education or training for the certification being sought by the individual approved by the department and outlined in the ARRT rules and regulations section on the requirements for reexamination.
G. Written or computerized examinations. Written or computerized examinations should be given at least once each year, at such times and places as the department may determine. The department shall prepare, administer, and grade the examinations, though, at its option, the department may contract for such preparation, administration, and grading services. In preparing, administering, and grading examinations or in contracting for those services, the department may follow standards and guidelines established by nationally accepted professional organizations (such as ARRT, ACRRT, and NMTCB) for the full, radiologist assistant and limited x-ray machine operator examinations, as applicable.
