Feds Request Comments on Non-Physician B Readers

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is requesting comments regarding questions that explore allowing nurse practitioners and physician assistants to be eligible to take the NIOSH B Reader examination to become certified B Readers. 

B Readers classify chest radiographic images of workers exposed to coal mine dust, crystalline silica, or asbestos for pneumoconiosis surveillance programs, such as the NIOSH Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program. Currently, only physicians licensed to practice in the United States who have passed the examination can become certified B Readers. The examination was developed by NIOSH and the American College of Radiology® (ACR®) to test physicians’ ability to apply the International Labour Organization (ILO) classification system to chest radiographs.

ACR intends to file comments in response to NIOSH’s questions. To provide input for ACR’s consideration, contact Michael Peters, ACR Senior Director, Government Affairs. To provide public comments directly to NIOSH, carefully review the agency’s questions and provide feedback online.