House Bill 571 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)
By: Representatives Hawkins of the 27th, Jasperse of the 11th, Dempsey of the 13th, Jackson
of the 128th, Silcox of the 53rd, and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 34 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
physicians, assistants, and others, so as to provide for the licensing of radiologist assistants;
to provide for continuing education requirements; to repeal a provision relating to radiologist
assistant defined; to provide a short title; to provide for definitions; to provide for licensure
requirements; to provide for renewal requirements; to prohibit holding oneself out as a
radiologist assistant without licensure; to provide for licensure for currently employed
radiologist assistants; to provide for the duties and powers of the Georgia Composite Medical
Board with respect to radiologist assistants; to provide that radiologists may use the services
of licensed radiologist assistants; to prohibit certain practices by radiologist assistants; to
provide for an advisory committee; to provide for statutory construction; to provide for
related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other
purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Chapter 34 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to physicians,
assistants, and others, is amended by revising subsection (a) of Code Section 43-34-11,
relating to continuing education requirement and required training for physicians, as follows:
"(a)(1) The board shall be authorized to require persons seeking renewal of a license,
certificate, or permit under this chapter to complete board approved continuing education
of not less than 40 hours biennially. The board shall be authorized to approve courses
offered by institutions of higher learning, specialty societies, or professional
organizations, including, but not limited to, the American Medical Association, the
National Medical Association, and the American Osteopathic Association, the number
of hours required, and the category in which these hours should be earned. This
paragraph shall not apply to respiratory care professionals, persons seeking renewal of
certification as respiratory care professionals, clinical perfusionists, persons seeking
renewal of licensure as a clinical perfusionist, licensed orthotists or prosthetists, persons
seeking renewal of licensure as an orthotist or prosthetist, genetic counselors, <del>or</del> persons
seeking renewal of licensure as a genetic counselor, <ins>radiologist assistants, or persons
seeking renewal of licensure as a radiologist assistant.
</ins> (2) The board shall be authorized to require persons seeking renewal of certification as
respiratory care professionals under Article 6 of this chapter to complete board approved
continuing education. The board shall be authorized to establish the number of hours of
continuing education required biennially for renewal of certification as a respiratory care
professional and the categories in which these hours should be earned. The board shall
be authorized to approve courses offered by institutions of higher learning, specialty
societies, or professional organizations. Any action taken by the board pursuant to this
paragraph shall be taken in conformity with the provisions of Code Section 43-34-143.
(3) The board shall be authorized to require persons seeking renewal of licensure as
clinical perfusionists under Article 7 of this chapter to complete board approved
continuing education. The board shall be authorized to establish the number of hours of
continuing education required biennially for renewal of licensure as a clinical perfusionist
and the categories in which these hours should be earned. The board shall be authorized
to approve courses offered by institutions of higher learning, specialty societies, or
professional organizations. Any action taken by the board pursuant to this paragraph
shall be taken in conformity with the provisions of Code Section 43-34-172.
(4) The board shall be authorized to require persons seeking renewal of licensure to
practice orthotics or prosthetics under Article 8 of this chapter to complete board
approved continuing education. The board shall be authorized to establish the number
of hours of continuing education required biennially for renewal of licensure to practice
orthotics or prosthetics and the categories in which these hours should be earned,
provided that the maximum number of hours of continuing education required for
renewal of licensure shall not exceed 40 hours. The board shall be authorized to approve
courses offered by institutions of higher learning, specialty societies, or professional
organizations. Any action taken by the board pursuant to this paragraph shall be taken
in conformity with the provisions of subsection (a) of Code Section 43-34-200.
(5) The board shall be authorized to require persons seeking renewal of licensure to
practice genetic counseling under Article 12 of this chapter to complete board approved
continuing education. The board shall be authorized to establish the number of hours of
continuing education required biennially for renewal of licensure to practice genetic
counseling and the categories in which these hours should be earned, provided that the
number of hours of continuing education required for renewal of licensure shall not be
less than 30 hours biennially. The board shall be authorized to approve courses offered
by institutions of higher learning, specialty societies, or professional organizations. Any
action taken by the board pursuant to this paragraph shall be taken in conformity with the
provisions of subsection (b) of Code Section 43-34-313.
<ins>(6) The board shall be authorized to require persons seeking renewal of licensure to
practice as a radiologist assistant under Article 13 of this chapter to complete board
approved continuing education. The board shall be authorized to establish the number
of hours of continuing education required biennially for renewal of licensure to practice
as a radiologist assistant and the categories in which these hours should be earned. The
board shall be authorized to approve courses offered by institutions of higher learning,
specialty societies, or professional organizations. Any action taken by the board pursuant
to this paragraph shall be taken in conformity with the provisions of subsection (b) of
Code Section 43-34-334.
</ins> <del>(6)(7)</del> On and after January 1, 2022, all physicians shall be required to receive one-time
education and training, for a minimum of two hours, regarding professional boundaries
and physician sexual misconduct. Such education and training shall include subject
matter relating to how to proceed with basic as well as sensitive or intimate examinations
and the communication with patients that is required as a component of such
examinations. Such education and training shall be established by the board and shall be
informed by members of the public, as best possible."
SECTION 2.
Said chapter is further amended by repealing Code Section 43-34-12, relating to radiologist
assistant defined.
SECTION 3.
Said chapter is further amended by adding a new article to read as follows:
<ins>"ARTICLE 13
43-34-330.
This article shall be known and may be cited as the 'Radiologist Assistant Act.'
43-34-331.
As used in this article, the term:
(1) 'Board' means the Georgia Composite Medical Board.
(2) 'Radiologist' means a physician who is licensed to practice medicine pursuant to
Article 2 of this chapter and who is certified by the American Board of Radiology, the
American Osteopathic Board of Radiology, or the Royal College of Physicians and
Surgeons of Canada.
(3) 'Radiologist assistant' means an advanced level certified diagnostic radiologic
technologist who assists radiologists under the on site direct supervision of a radiologist
as defined by the Georgia Composite Medical Board in performing advanced diagnostic
imaging procedures as determined by board rule, according to levels of supervision as
defined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services including, but not limited to,
enteral and parenteral procedures when performed under the on site direct supervision of
the radiologist and may include injecting diagnostic agents to sites other than intravenous,
performing diagnostic aspirations and localizations, and assisting radiologists with other
invasive procedures, according to levels of supervision as defined by the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services. Such radiologist assistant may with general
supervision perform other noninvasive procedures unless said procedures are expressly
restricted by the board to not be performed by radiologist assistants under general
supervision. Such radiologist assistant may also perform other procedures under general
supervision as may be authorized by the board.
</ins>
<ins>43-34-332.
A person shall be qualified for licensure as a radiologist assistant and the board shall issue
a license if that person:
(1) Has applied in writing in form and substance satisfactory to the board and is at least
21 years of age;
(2) Has not engaged in conduct or activities which would constitute grounds for
discipline under this article;
(3) Is registered and credentialed as a radiographer with the American Registry of
Radiologic Technologists;
(4) Is certified and registered:
(A) As a radiologist assistant with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists;
or
(B) As a radiology practitioner assistant with the Certification Board for Radiology
Practitioner Assistants and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists;
(5) Has paid the fees required by rule; and
(6) Has met any other requirements established by rule.
43-34-333.
(a) Licenses issued by the board pursuant to this article shall be subject to renewal and
shall be valid for up to two years unless otherwise specified by this article and shall be
renewable biennially on the renewal date established by the board.
(b) The board shall be authorized to, in conformance with paragraph (6) of subsection (a)
of Code Section 43-34-11:
(1) Require persons seeking renewal of licensure under this article to complete board
approved continuing education;
(2) Establish the number of hours of continuing education to be completed as well as the
categories in which the continuing education is to be completed; and
</ins>
<ins>(3) Maintain continued certification and registration as a radiologist assistant with the
American Registry of Radiologic technologist or radiology practitioner assistant with the
Certification Board for Radiology Practitioner Assistants and the American Registry of
Radiologic Technologists.
(c) A person who has permitted his or her license to expire or who has had his or her
license on inactive status may have his or her license restored by:
(1) Making application to the board;
(2) Filing proof acceptable to the board of his or her fitness to have his or her license
restored, including, but not limited to, sworn evidence certifying to active practice in
another jurisdiction satisfactory to the board; and
(3) Paying the required restoration fee.
If the person has not maintained an active practice in another jurisdiction satisfactory to the
board, the board shall determine, by an evaluation program established by rule, such
person's fitness to resume active status and may require such person to complete a period
of evaluated clinical experience and successful completion of an examination.
(d) A person who notifies the board on forms prescribed thereby may elect to place his or
her license on an inactive status and shall, subject to rules of the board, be excused from
payment of renewal fees until he or she notifies the board of his or her desire to resume
active status. A person requesting restoration from inactive status shall be required to pay
the current renewal fee and shall be required to restore his or her license as provided in
subsection (c) of this Code section. A radiologist assistant whose license is on inactive
status shall not engage in the scope of practice for radiologist assistants in this state.
(e) A person whose license expired while he or she was:
(1) In federal service on active duty within the armed forces of the United States or with
the state militia and called into service or training; or
(2) In training or education under the supervision of the United States preliminary to
induction into military service
</ins>
<ins>may have his or her license renewed or restored without paying a lapsed renewal fee if,
within two years after termination from the service, training, or education except under
conditions other than honorable, he or she furnishes the board with satisfactory evidence
that he or she has been so engaged and that his or her service, training, or education has
been terminated.
43-34-334.
(a) On and after July 1, 2026, a person shall not engage in the scope of practice for
radiologist assistants in this state without a valid license issued by the board pursuant to
this article.
(b) A person shall not hold himself or herself out as a radiologist assistant unless he or she
holds a license issued by the board in accordance with this article. A person not licensed
by the board pursuant to this article shall not use in connection with his or her name or
place of business the terms 'radiologist assistant' or any words, letters, abbreviations, or
insignia indicating or implying that the person holds a license as a radiologist assistant.
(c) A person who verifies to the board that he or she is employed in this state as a
radiologist assistant as of the effective date of this article shall by operation of law be
authorized to practice as a radiologist assistant in this state on or after July 1, 2026,
contingent upon such individual having applied with the board for appropriate licensure.
43-34-335.
(a) A radiologist may use the services of a radiologist assistant under the on site direct
supervision of such radiologist, provided that such radiologist assistant is duly qualified
and licensed pursuant to this article.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this Code section, a radiologist assistant may with
general supervision perform other noninvasive procedures unless said procedures are
expressly restricted by the board to not be performed by radiologist assistants under general
</ins>
<ins>supervision. Such radiologist assistant may also perform other procedures under general
supervision as may be authorized by the board.
(c) A radiologist assistant shall not interpret images, make diagnoses, or prescribe
medications or therapies.
(d) Any rules and regulations adopted by the board pertaining to the scope of practice as
a radiologist assistant in this state shall be consistent with guidelines adopted by the
American College of Radiology, the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, the
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, or any other entity deemed appropriate
by the board.
43-34-336.
The board shall have the power and responsibility to:
(1) Determine the qualifications and fitness of applicants for licensure and renewal of
licensure;
(2) Adopt and revise rules consistent with the laws of the State of Georgia that are
necessary to conduct its business, carry out its duties, and administer this article;
(3) Examine for, approve, issue, deny, revoke, suspend, sanction, and renew the licenses
of applicants and radiologist assistants under this article and conduct hearings in
connection with these actions;
(4) Conduct hearings on complaints concerning violations of this article and the rules
adopted under this article and cause the prosecution and enjoinder of the violations;
(5) Establish application, examination, and certification fees;
(6) Establish continuing education requirements; and
(7) Establish the number of radiologist assistants that may be supervised by a radiologist
according to levels of supervision as defined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services.
</ins>
<ins>43-34-337.
The board shall appoint an advisory committee. The advisory committee shall consist of
no fewer than five individuals and shall include at least one licensed physician who
practices radiology, three licensed radiologist assistants, and one consumer representative.
Members shall receive no compensation for service on the committee. The committee shall
have such advisory duties and responsibilities as the board may determine, including, but
not limited to, consulting with the board on the issuance, denial, suspension, and revocation
of licenses and the promulgation of rules and regulations under this article. The initial
members of the advisory committee may include persons eligible for licensing under this
article. Subsequent advisory committee members must be licensed pursuant to this article.
43-34-338.
Nothing in this article shall be construed to prohibit:
(1) The performance of any tasks or responsibilities by any student engaged in clinical
training in a general hospital, provided such practice is limited to clinical training that
shall be carried out under the direct supervision of a radiologist;
(2) The performance of any tasks or responsibilities by any person licensed under this
title, provided such tasks or responsibilities are permitted by the article governing the
profession pursuant to which such person is licensed; or
(3) The performance of any tasks or responsibilities by any legally qualified radiologist
assistants of any other state or territory who is serving in the armed forces or the Public
Health Service of the United States or who is employed by the United States Department
of Veterans Affairs, while engaged in the performance of his or her duties."
</ins> SECTION 4.
This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law
without such approval.
SECTION 5.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.