ETHICS REVIEW PROCESS

If you’re under an ethics review, you might have questions about the process, what to expect, and whether you’ll receive a sanction. At ARRT, we take ethics violations very seriously, because the safety and best interests of patients are at stake. We also believe in a fair, consistent, and transparent ethics review process.  

WHAT TO EXPECT

If you report an ethics violation, or if we receive a credible report from another person concerning a potential ethics violation you might have committed, we’ll begin an ethics review. Its purpose is to gather information on the potential violation, determine if the action constitutes an actual violation, and impose an appropriate sanction, if necessary. There’s no way to determine how long an ethics review process will last, because each case is unique.  

Below is an overview of the ethics review process. For a complete description, consult the ARRT Standards of Ethics. 

  • Violation reported: Either you report your own potential or actual ethics violation, or another person alleges that you committed an ethics violation. Our Ethics Requirements Department will assess the violation report and determine if we can clear your offense or if we need to investigate further.  
  • Information gathered: If needed, we’ll send requests for additional information to you and other appropriate parties. During this time, if you have legal counsel and you want your counsel to communicate with us, you’ll have to submit a completed Authorization, Waiver, and Release form. 
  • Committee decisions: After reviewing information on your violation, our Ethics Committee will determine an appropriate sanction, if any. The committee will notify you by U.S. mail and give you 30 days to request a hearing if you wish to defend your position and contest the severity of the sanction. If you request a hearing, you must do so in writing and send it with a nonrefundable hearing fee of $100. If you’d prefer to begin your sanction immediately, you may waive your right to a hearing and appeal. 
  • Hearing: The Ethics Committee holds hearings multiple times throughout the year. You may submit a written statement for the committee to review during the hearing, participate via a conference call, or attend in person. We’ll notify you of the hearing’s outcome by U.S. mail. If the Ethics Committee upholds the original decision, you’ll have 30 days to request an appeal. If you’d prefer to begin your sanction immediately, you may waive your right to an appeal. If you don’t request an appeal, the Ethics Committee’s recommended action will become final. 
  • Appeal: Your appeal must address the specific rules of ethics and issues within the Conclusions section that you believe are inaccurate, inappropriate, or in error. Your appeal may also address any possible procedural deficiencies during the review process. The Appeals Panel of ARRT’s Board of Trustees will review your appeal and determine whether to uphold the hearing decision, modify the hearing decision, or remand the matter to the Ethics Committee for further consideration. If the Panel affirms the hearing decision, you’ll have no further recourse and the recommendation of the Ethics Committee will become final.   

KEEP IN MIND

If you’re certified and registered when the ethics review process begins, in most cases you’ll remain certified and registered during the review.

If you fail to submit a renewal or otherwise discontinue your certification and registration, the ethics review will proceed. 

Although the ethics review process occurs independent of state licensing, your state may require that you report your ARRT ethics review or underlying allegations to its licensing board. Reporting a violation to your state doesn’t constitute reporting it to ARRT. Contact your state licensing board directly with any questions. 

GET ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS

Before you self-report, or as you progress in the sanction review process, we’re available to answer your questions. Remember, the best way to ensure you’ll receive accurate information is to contact us. To contact our Ethics Requirements Department you can send us a message or call us at 651.687.0048. Choose the option for ethics information. Although we can help educate you on the review process, we can’t advocate on your behalf, and we don’t have any influence on the outcome of your matter. That’s up to the Ethics Committee.