The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) is inviting input from working radiography professionals on proposed updates to the Radiography Examination Content Specifications and Clinical Competency Requirements. These updates aim to ensure the documents remain accurate, comprehensive, and reflective of the real-world knowledge and skills required of entry-level radiographers.
Why the Changes?
ARRT examinations are job-related—meaning content is included only if it directly relates to clinical activities typically performed by radiographers. To identify these topics, ARRT surveyed 4,000 practicing radiographers in 2024. Results from these surveys informed updates to both the content specifications and the clinical competency requirements.
The Radiography Practice Analysis Committee, made up of subject matter experts nationwide, began work on the revisions in February 2024. Once finalized this fall, the proposed changes will be reviewed by ARRT’s Board of Trustees. If approved, the new documents will go into effect March 1, 2027.
Highlights of Proposed Examination Content Changes
- Patient Care: Additions include “Medical Condition(s) and Schedule Patients” and IV supplies in infection control; removals include “Chemicals and Chemotherapy” under hazardous materials.
- Safety: “Minimizing Patient Exposure” now includes “Repeats”; terms updated from “Morbid obesity” to “Body Habitus”; pregnancy and safety resources (Image Wisely, Image Gently) added.
- Image Production: New inclusions like “Image Contrast” and “Subject Contrast”; all CR content removed; “Virtual Grids” added, “Compensating Filters” removed.
- Procedures: Expanded procedural listings (e.g., lumbar puncture, epidural injections, C-arm line placement) and removal of others (e.g., certain urography studies).
- Positioning Updates: Several projections removed, while new views such as AP pelvis weight bearing, oblique weight bearing foot, and superior-inferior axial lateral shoulder were added.
- Attachment B: Removed, as content is available in other resources.
Highlights of Proposed Clinical Competency Requirement Changes
- Removals: Vital signs–Temperature and Venipuncture from general patient care procedures; Intravenous Urography from imaging procedures.
- Additions: Thoracolumbar Spine and various tube placements to imaging procedures.
- Requirement Counts: Mandatory exams reduced from 36 to 35; elective exams increased from 15 to 16.
How to Participate
ARRT encourages all radiography professionals to review the proposed documents and share their feedback through the official online survey, which will remain open until September 19, 2025. Feedback collected will be reviewed by the Practice Analysis Committee and may lead to additional revisions.
Review the proposed changes and submit feedback here:
ARRT Seeks Comments on Proposed Radiology Documents – 2025
