The news article below was taken from the ASRT CEO Update and was written by  Melissa B. Pergola, Ed.D., R.T.(R)(M), FASRT, CAE, ASRT CEO and Executive Director. Some edits for OSRT were made.

Earlier this year, ASRT had the opportunity to petition the U.S. Office of Management and Budget to classify radiologic technologists as professionals within the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ classification standards. Reclassification to professional status offers benefits for radiologic technologists, including a higher level of professional recognition. It also bolsters the importance of more universally recognized credentials.

We knew the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession would support this initiative and submit comments to the OMB. However, we were thrilled by the community’s support. Over a seven-day period, the community came together and submitted more than 42,000 comments to the OMB!

The support is not surprising as ASRT’s 156,000 members are dedicated to the profession and want to see it thrive and excel. Our collective voice is powerful, and your role in advocating for the profession can be incredibly effective.

This work is important to us because advocating for the profession is a job we take seriously. The profession faces many challenges such as legislation designed to weaken licensure laws for medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals and movement in some states to eliminate licensure all together. In addition, we continue to face encroachment efforts by other health care professionals who want to perform radiologic procedures.

Yet advocacy is not all about tackling legislative issues. We are all advocates in one way or another. Naturally, we are advocates for our patients, but we also need to be strong advocates for ourselves. What is amazing is that seemingly small efforts can make an enormous difference in advocacy. Simple actions like voting in the ASRT election, serving on an ASRT committee, becoming a delegate, being a mentor or advocating for professional development opportunities can have a massive impact.

So please get involved with the ASRT and OSRT as your ASRT affiliate. Throw your hat in the ring to serve on a committee or task force. Write an article for an ASRT publication. Attend an ASRT conference. It all adds up and makes us stronger.

Even more, let your neighbors, family and friends know who we are. Set up meetings with your legislators at the state and national levels to let them know about the critical role we play in diagnosis, treatment and intervention.

The bottom line is that every advocacy step you take is another step toward advancing and elevating our profession.

Visit ASRT's volunteers page and OSRT's volunteer page to learn about volunteer opportunities. Listen to the October “The RAD Position” podcast where we discussed ASRT’s ongoing advocacy efforts, our challenges and success, and how members can make a difference. Visit OSRT's Advocacy page to learn more about how OSRT advocates for you and Ohio consumer patients. In addition, if you need help preparing to meet with your legislators, email ASRT’s Government Relations and Public Policy Department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or for Ohio, contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more.