Educator Involvement on ARRT Volunteer Committees

Educators play a critical role in preparing the next generation of students to be certified and registered with ARRT. ARRT values their contributions in many ways and appreciates their willingness to serve as volunteers. 

Most of ARRT's certifications are accredited by a third-party organization, the National Commission of Credentialing Agencies (NCCA), that establishes standards (similar to the JRC’s) for high quality credentialing programs and recognizes certification programs that meet or exceed these standards. This accreditation is required by many state statutes and/or regulatory agencies in order for ARRT credentials to be recognized as acceptable for radiologic technologists to obtain licenses in the states. The NCCA Standards indicate that educators may participate in exam development activities if the participation does not inappropriately expose exam content. However, access to and development of content for exams by individuals who teach this content to individuals who are preparing for the certification exams presents a conflict of interest between maintaining integrity of the content of the exams and education/training of individuals who will be taking the certification exams. ARRT’s current procedures for Item Writers, Exam Committees, and Standard Setting committees involve developing, reviewing, and working directly with exam content; thereby, exposing those individuals to material on exams, requiring ARRT to ensure individuals who volunteer for these committees are not also responsible for educating or preparing individuals who will be taking the exams.

Because of the importance of ARRT maintaining NCCA accreditation, we have updated our policy on selection of volunteers who serve on our committees where exam content is developed or reviewed. ARRT will no longer select educators and program directors to serve on committees where exam content is developed or reviewed. These committees include ARRT's Exam Committees, Standard Setting Committees, and Item Writers.  

How Does ARRT Define Educators?

The NCCA standards make reference to two types of educators, faculty (i.e., formal education) and those who teach exam preparation courses. The former is geared at teaching subject matter, while the latter is specifically focused on the exam.

Can Educators Volunteer on Committees?

ARRT welcomes educators to volunteer on Practice Analysis committees. Educators and program directors can provide valuable information when discussions turn to what is currently being taught in the schools.