Directed Readings Still Count for CE Credit

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists has revised its regulations concerning how credit is calculated for Directed Reading articles and other self-learning CE activities. Beginning Jan. 1, 2006, the amount of Category A credit awarded to a self-learning CE activity, such as a Directed Reading article, will be based only upon the time it takes an individual to complete the activity. The credit amount will not include the time it takes to complete the post-test.

For example, an article that takes one hour to read will receive 1 CE credit. No credit will be awarded for the time required to complete the post-test. This change applies to self-learning CE activities approved after Jan. 1, 2006.

The ARRT published this information in its April 2005 Annual Report to Registered Technologists. Some R.T.s interpreted the news to mean that ASRT’s Directed Reading articles will no longer receive CE credit. This is not true. Only the method of calculating the total amount of credits has changed. As a member benefit, the ASRT will continue to provide Directed Reading articles that are worth at least 12 Category A CE credits per journal volume year.

The ARRT also announced several other upcoming changes to its CE regulations:

• Radiologic technologists will not receive CE credit for basic CPR classes completed after Jan. 1, 2007. The ARRT explained that basic CPR is a job responsibility, not a continuing education activity.
  
   
• Radiologic technologists will not receive CE credit for activities completed to meet JCAHO and OSHA requirements after Jan. 1, 2007. The ARRT explained that JCAHO and OSHA annual reviews are institution-specific and a job requirement, and thus do not meet the ARRT’s definition of a CE activity.
  
   
• Category B credit will not be accepted for CE activities completed after Jan. 1, 2008. Category B credit, also known as nonevaluated credit, is awarded to CE activities that have not been approved by a mechanism recognized by the ARRT. In announcing the change, the ARRT explained that Category A credits are available widely enough to warrant the phasing out of Category B credits.
  
   
• FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT THE ARRT WEB SITE: http://www.arrt.org/web/content.jsp?include=/new/ceclarification.htm