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Louisiana medical board declines to adopt expanded private radiologic technologist rules after heated public comment
Summary
After extensive public testimony from radiology stakeholders, the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners voted against adopting draft rules to create a new limited-scope private radiologic technologist (PRT) pathway, citing safety concerns and divided board opinion.
The Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners on Dec. 16 declined to adopt draft rules that would have created a limited-scope license for private radiologic technologists (PRTs), a proposed step to address reported workforce shortages in parts of the state.
Board staff presented the draft PRT rules as a pilot approach to expand access in urgent-care and other settings by allowing a tiered, limited practice linked to physician oversight and specific training. The proposal included didactic and clinical training, a written permit tied to a supervising physician and limited practice areas. After staff presentation, the board solicited public comment.
Valerie Vargas, attorney for the Louisiana State Rad Tech Board, urged the medical board to leave licensure and competency oversight with the Rad Tech Board and to require standardized training and testing for any limited operators. "Physicians simply are not trained in imaging," Vargas said, arguing that patient safety requires permitting and competence benchmarks designed by radiologic-technology professionals.
Heather Kapp, president of the Louisiana Society of Radiologic Technologists, cited state program counts and national exam pass rates to warn that reducing educational requirements and allowing remote physician supervision would dilute the workforce and compromise safety. "If you allow for more PRTs because of lessened educational requirements and remote supervision, the market will become diluted," she said, noting high ARRT pass rates for Louisiana programs.
A Premier Health representative told the board that the personnel shortfall cited by proponents appeared concentrated at that organization and that no statewide needs assessment had been presented. "This request has been driven by a few physicians who have pulled data from other states," the speaker said, urging the board to seek solutions that increase access without compromising patient safety.
Board staff also read written comments from the Radiological Society of Louisiana, which urged a limited-entry permit administered by the radiologic-technology board rather than expanding PRT licensure under the medical board.
After discussion the board moved to vote on the draft PRT rules. A roll-call vote produced a split result; the chair announced that the motion did not pass. The board did not adopt the draft rules at this meeting.
The board did not set a new date for the item; several board members and public commenters asked for further review with the radiology stakeholders and for clearer benchmarks on training, supervision, testing and safety monitoring.
The board's action leaves the current licensure and supervision framework unchanged pending further rulemaking or separate proposals from other licensing entities.
