Increase in State Scope Bills Highlight Need to Stay Vigilant

As more states introduce legislation that would permit non-physician personnel to practice beyond their scope of practice, the need to stay vigilant is paramount. Many non-physician organizations are working to insert harmful scope of practice (SOP) expansion language into state legislation. If you are ever concerned about SOP legislation in your state, be sure to reach out to the American College of Radiology® (ACR®) state government relations team.

Scope of Practice

Arizona

House Bill (HB) 2187 would mandate that only licensed physicians would be able to use the following designations:

• “Doctor of Medicine”
• “Dr.”
• “Physician”
• “MD/DO”
• “Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine”

Also, only physicians licensed by the American Board of Medical Specialties, may use their specialty designation (e.g., radiologist).

Maryland

HB 425 and Senate Bill (SB) 359 would enjoin the Commonwealth of Maryland into the advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) compact. This compact allows APRNs who meet its eligibility requirements to practice in other compact states.

Mississippi

SB 2079 would allow an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), who has 6,240 practice hours, to practice without a collaborative/consultative relationship with a physician.

HB 37 would remove the requirement for a referral by a physician before a physical therapist can provide physician therapy services.

South Dakota

HB 1013 would enjoin the state of South Dakota into the APRN compact.

Washington

SB 5815 would enjoin the state of Washington into the physician assistant (PA) compact. This compact allows PAs who meet its eligibility requirements to practice in other compact states.

Licensure

New Hampshire

HB 1410 would repeal the boards of registration of medical technicians and medical imaging and radiation therapy.

Washington

SB 5880 would create a primary certification process for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologists. This bill would allow the Secretary of Health to issue MRI technologist certificates if a person has met the following requirements:

• The individual graduated from an approved school or successfully completed alternate training.
• Satisfactory completion of a radiologic technology examination.

The ACR has partnered with Fiscal Note, a legislation and regulation tracking service, to provide continuous, comprehensive updates on radiology and healthcare-related legislation.. To stay current on state legislative developments relevant to radiology, view the ACR policy map. You can also access information and ACR resources about scope of practice.

For more information about state legislative activities, contact Eugenia Brandt, ACR Senior Government Affairs Director, or Dillon Harp, ACR Senior Government Relations Specialist.