SB165 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Patient Safety Act, Alabama Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Bd created, licensing of limited x-ray machine operators, magnetic resonance technologist, nuclear medicine technologist, radiation therapist, radiographer, and radiologist assistants, provided

Summary

SB 165 would create a state board to regulate and license medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals in Alabama to improve patient safety.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the Alabama Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Board to license and regulate limited X-ray operators, MRI technologists, nuclear medicine technologists, radiation therapists, radiographers, and radiologist assistants, and to discipline those who practice without a license. It sets education and competency standards, allows the board to define scope of practice, issue licenses and permits, and require continuing education; it can administer examinations, deny or revoke licenses, and levy penalties. It also creates a dedicated board fund, outlines enforcement tools (including civil penalties and injunctions), and places the board under sunset review. The act notes local funding implications but includes exceptions so it can take effect without a local government vote.

Who It Affects

• Licensed medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals (e.g., limited X-ray operators, MRI technologists, nuclear medicine technologists, radiographers, radiation therapists, radiologist assistants, and radiologists) who must meet education, certification, licensure, and ongoing continuing education requirements and who may be disciplined for violations.
• Patients and the public who will be served by licensed, supervised professionals and by board oversight and enforcement to ensure safe and quality medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Alabama Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Board to regulate and license specific imaging and therapy professionals and to discipline unlicensed practice.
• Defines licensure requirements, including age, education, approved courses, and examinations; allows acceptance of recognized national certifications; permits multi-modality licensing; and requires license display.
• Delimits scope of practice and permits, including specific scopes for limited X-ray operators, radiologist assistants, fluoroscopy for radiographers, and location- and modality-specific duties; establishes supervised practice rules.
• Establishes continuing education, educational program standards, and accreditation criteria; requires reciprocity and approval of eligible educational programs and examination processes.
• Provides enforcement mechanisms (licensing actions, civil penalties, injunctions, and Class C misdemeanors for violations), a dedicated board fund, and a sunset review; sets procedures for temporary licenses and reinstatement, and defines credentialing and reporting requirements.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Boards and Commissions