Limited licensing: why is the ARRT involved? Part II.

Due primarily to economic factors, the concept of the limited scope operator would exist regardless of any organization's position on the wisdom of the concept. Most states that have passed laws as encouraged by federal legislation have been reluctant to legislate people out of existing jobs and have, therefore, incorporated limited categories of practice into their laws. This further assures the survival of the concept of the limited scope of practice. Acknowledging the existence of the position and working to establish reasonable training and competence assessment procedures is in the best interest of the public as well as of the radiography profession. The ARRT is therefore committed to developing examinations for use by states licensing the limited scope of practice operator. The examinations are based upon the philosophy that those persons having a scope of practice that is limited to radiography of the chest or extremities must be as knowledgeable in those particular areas as is the general staff radiographer at entry level as defined by the ARRT Job Analysis Project. Examinations developed using this philosophy will enable states to restrict limited licensing to only those persons having met realistically high standards that are consistent across the country.