HB571: HB571 Professions and businesses; licensing of radiologist assistants; provide

Currently Georgia law defines but does not license radiologist assistants. This bill removes that old definition and instead creates a full licensing system for them under the Georgia Composite Medical Board. Starting July 1, 2026, a person cannot practice as a radiologist assistant or call themselves one without a board-issued license. The bill spells out who qualifies (registered radiographers who are also certified as radiologist assistants or radiology practitioner assistants, at least 21 years old), how licenses are renewed every two years, and what continuing education the board can require. It says radiologists may use licensed radiologist assistants under on-site direct supervision for certain procedures, but assistants cannot interpret images, make diagnoses, or prescribe treatment. People already working as radiologist assistants when the law takes effect can keep practicing while they apply for a license. The board must also appoint an advisory committee including radiologists, radiologist assistants, and a consumer representative. The Act takes effect once the Governor signs it or it becomes law without a signature.

• Creates a new licensing article (O.C.G.A. Article 13 of Chapter 34, Title 43) requiring radiologist assistants to hold a board-issued license to practice or use that job title starting July 1, 2026.
• Repeals the old Code section that simply defined 'radiologist assistant' without licensing them, replacing it with the full licensure system.
• Sets qualification requirements including age 21+, registration as a radiographer, and certification as a radiologist assistant or radiology practitioner assistant through named national credentialing bodies.
• Lets the Georgia Composite Medical Board require continuing education for license renewal, exempting radiologist assistants from the general 40-hour rule and letting the board set its own hour requirements.
• Allows people already working as radiologist assistants to keep practicing after the effective date as long as they apply for a license.
• Creates a board-appointed advisory committee with radiologists, radiologist assistants, and a consumer representative to advise on licensing and rules.

Radiologist assistants and people seeking to become one, radiologists who supervise them, the Georgia Composite Medical Board, and patients who receive advanced diagnostic imaging procedures performed with the assistance of a radiologist assistant.

Radiologist assistants currently work in Georgia without a dedicated state license. Once this law takes effect, they must be licensed and meet specific training and credentialing requirements to keep working, which could affect staffing at imaging centers and hospitals and gives patients a clearer standard for who is qualified to assist with these procedures.

• Section 1 exempts radiologist assistants from the board's general 40-hour continuing education rule and lets the board set its own continuing education hours for them under new Code Section 43-34-334.
• Section 2 repeals old Code Section 43-34-12, which defined 'radiologist assistant' without a licensing framework.
• Section 3 adds Article 13 ('Radiologist Assistant Act'), defining key terms, setting licensure qualifications, renewal rules, and inactive/restoration procedures (Code Sections 43-34-330 through 43-34-333).
• Code Section 43-34-334 makes it illegal after July 1, 2026 to practice as or call oneself a radiologist assistant without a board license, though currently employed assistants may keep working while applying.
• Code Section 43-34-335 allows radiologists to use licensed radiologist assistants under on-site direct supervision but bars assistants from interpreting images, diagnosing, or prescribing.
• Code Section 43-34-336 gives the board power to set fees, licensing rules, and the number of radiologist assistants a radiologist may supervise.
• Code Section 43-34-337 requires the board to appoint an advisory committee of at least five people, including a radiologist, three radiologist assistants, and a consumer representative.
• Section 4 makes the Act effective as soon as the Governor signs it or it becomes law without his signature.

1. 2026-05-05Effective Date 2026-05-05
2. 2026-05-05Act 404
3. 2026-05-05House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2026-04-06House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2026-03-18House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub (House)
6. 2026-02-25Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)
7. 2026-02-25Senate Third Read (Senate)
8. 2026-01-29Senate Read Second Time (Senate)

• Lee Hawkins (R, HD-027)Primary sponsor
• Rick Jasperse (R, HD-011)
• Katie Dempsey (R, HD-013)
• Mack Jackson (D, HD-128)
• Deborah Silcox (R, HD-053)
• Darlene Taylor (R, HD-173)
• John Albers (R, SD-056)

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 6, 2025

   162 yea, 11 nay (5 not voting, 2 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #236

2. PassedSenate voteFebruary 25, 2026

   51 yea, 2 nay (1 not voting, 1 absent)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #581

3. PassedHouse voteMarch 18, 2026

   164 yea, 2 nay (3 not voting, 7 absent)

   Agree To Senate Substitute: House Vote #714

• medical licensing
• radiologist assistants
• health care regulation
• Georgia Composite Medical Board