In addition to the ACRRT examination, for those individuals who have successfully completed the prerequisite educational requirements, the ACRRT also administers several examination programs for state licensing purposes only. These are known as the Basic Chiropractic X-ray Technology Examination or the Limited Permit Examination. Just as prerequisite educational requirements vary from state to state, so are many of the limited permit examinations tailored to each state's individual requirements. The ACRRT does not issue certification based upon this examination, but administers this exam solely for the states with limited permit provisions in their licensing laws.
Successful completion on the limited permit examination does not qualify an individual for membership status within the ACRRT.
The various State Regulatory Agencies establish the prerequisite educational requirements necessary to challenge the Limited Permit Examination. The state agencies that typically oversee this limited use permit in radiologic technology may include either the State Board of Radiologic Technology, State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, State Department of Health, or State Department of Licensing and Regulation. The educational requirement varies considerably, from 8 to 120 hours. The ACRRT recommends, for the limited permit applicant, a minimum of 48 hours of didactic training.
Included in a typical 48 hour limited permit educational experience is the didactic presentation of, but is not limited to, the following areas:
- Introduction to radiologic equipment, procedures and physics
- Basic principles of x-ray physics
- Radiographic film
- Cassettes and screens
- Film identification
- Darkroom procedures
- Trouble shooting, darkroom and processing errors
- State and federal regulations
- X-ray exposure factors
- Charts and tests (quality assurance)
- Problem solving for radiographic exposures
- Radiation biology
- Radiation protection
- Legal and ethical aspects of radiology
- Quality control
- Anatomy and patient positioning
Sample course outlines for the basic 48-hour preparatory course that are utilized by various institutions to prepare an individual to challenge the Limited Permit Examination are available from the ACRRT.
Please note that not all states conduct or recognize a Limited Permit status for chiropractic paraprofessionals engaged in radiographic technology. It is recommended that any individual interested in gaining this limited permit status should first check with the state chiropractic examining board, or state chiropractic association to determine the exact requirement in that state.
