Background
In 2008, the Oregon legislature decided to protect their constituents by mandating that sonographers be licensed. In fact, registered sonographers may have their credentials revoked, yet still work in the field because many laboratories do not require credentialing by ARDMS or CCI. Initially, the bill alluded to sonographers being licensed under radiology, which had several negative implications. Corrective action was taken by multiple ultrasound organizations, and the Sonography Licensure Coalition (SLC) was developed to address the issue of state-based licensure for medical imaging. Coalition members include:
- •
American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)
- •
American Society of Echocardiography (ASE)
- •
Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI)
- •
Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS)
- •
Society for Vascular Ultrasound (SVU)
- •
Society for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS)
- •
Society of Invasive Cardiovascular Professionals (SICP)
The purpose of the SLC is to be a resource and provide content expertise with respect to statutory language so there is minimal negative impact on the ultrasound profession. In addition, the SLC monitors legislative issues affecting medical imaging/sonography and responds on behalf of the field of ultrasound.
While the SLC was working with the Oregon legislative process, providing valuable input towards the content of the bill, New Mexico passed legislation in 2009 supporting sonography licensure. The New Mexico bill was crafted after a sonographer approached the state representative regarding the importance of licensure. In the end, although Oregon was the first state to begin the licensure process, New Mexico was first to pass a bill.
Historically, licensure has been a natural progression for medical professions. Often the process begins in one state, followed by others. Having the SLC monitor the legislative environment is critical in protecting the field of ultrasound. The worst case would bundle sonographers under radiology, in which case many sonographers would then need to go back to radiology school. The best case would involve a process whereby sonographers would need to pass the credentialing exam (ARDMS or CCI), then apply to the state for licensure.
Licensure Update
New Mexico
- •
Little work has been done to implement the New Mexico legislation since its passage in 2009.
- •
Governor Richardson has appointed a sonographer member of the Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Advisory Council: Darla Matthew, the DMS Program Director at Doña Ana Community College in Las Cruces, NM.
- •
Concern has been expressed to the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) and governor’s office regarding the need for the SLC to be involved in the process.
- •
Two meetings have been held in NM at which both the ASRT and NMED officials were involved, but there was no direct notification of SLC.
- •
NMED officials have stated that nothing will be done regarding licensure until the Advisory Council meets – date still pending. Four appointments are still pending for required background checks – see http://www.governor.state.nm.us/boards/boardsPage131.html .
- •
The SLC will continue to monitor NMED and the new advisory council activities to ensure the sonography community has timely notice and appropriate opportunities for input.
Oregon
Bill has been passed by the legislature and is in the process of being enacted.
West Virginia
The West Virginia Medical Imaging & Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners is planning to introduce legislation in their 2011 legislative session to expand their scope to include regulation of sonography. The legislature has begun discussions with the promise to keep the SLC involved moving forward. Over the past few months, they have requested information about the various sonography-related registries, credentials, and scope of practice.
- •
West Virginia has indicated they are open to input but there is strong radiology influence in the process, and they have proposed using the ASRT Scope of Practice for Sonography, which has not been adopted or approved by any sonography-related organization. West Virginia has selected the ASRT Scope of Practice despite having been provided the Scope of Practice/Clinical Standards for the Diagnostic Ultrasound Professional, a scope endorsed by the entire ultrasound professional community.
- •
A draft of the proposed West Virginia legislation has been submitted to the SLC to be reviewed by each organization’s appropriate committee. Comments have been compiled and forwarded to the Board of Examiners on behalf of the SLC.
New Jersey
New Jersey has drafted legislation after the nuclear medicine program director at Gloucester Community College asked Senator Madden to sponsor a bill. The language of the bill includes sonography and is similar to the Oregon bill, which needed two years of revisions to appropriately address all imaging issues.
- •
Senator Madden is now aware of SLC concerns.
- •
After reviewing the extensive changes necessary to adequately incorporate sonography in the Oregon medical imaging licensure bill, the program director who originally asked for the legislation has indicated she will be asking Senator Madden to exclude sonography from the bill (so the bill can be passed).
- •
The SLC remains committed to working with all affected groups to help NJ develop a licensure bill that appropriately incorporates sonography in the future.
The ASE, in conjunction with the SLC, has done a tremendous job with monitoring the legislative environment and keeping the best interest of the sonography profession relevant in the language of the bills. For more information, please visit the Advocacy section of the ASE Website or contact Adrienne Coats at acoats@asecho.org .
Please go to the ASE Website to read about Stephanie Toney, RDCS, Sonographer Volunteer of the Month.
Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel
Full access? Get Clinical Tree
