CHAPTER 221
MINIMUM TRAINING STANDARDS FOR PODIATRY ASSISTANTS
ENGAGING IN PODIATRIC RADIOGRAPHY
645—221.1(136C,147,149) Definitions. As used in this chapter:
“Approved program or course of study” means didactic and clinical training the Iowa board of podiatry examiners has determined to be adequate to train students to meet the requirements specified in subrules 221.3(1) to 221.3(3).
“Clinical experience” means direct and personal participation of the student in radiographic procedures incidental to patient diagnostic problems.
“Clinical podiatric sponsor” means a person licensed under Iowa Code chapter 149 and supervising the student.
“Podiatric radiography” means the application of x-radiation to the human foot and ankle for diagnostic purposes only.
“Podiatry assistant” means an individual employed in a podiatry office who assists in podiatric radiography.
“Student” means a person enrolled in or participating in an approved program or course of study.
645—221.2(136C,147,149) General.
	221.2(1) All applications for student status and examination must be made upon official forms supplied by the Board of Podiatry Examiners, Department of Public Health, Lucas State Office Building, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075.
	221.2(2) Incomplete applications on file for two years will be destroyed. Application fees are not refundable.
	221.2(3) A notarized copy of the official document of name change, if applicable, is required with initial student or certification application.
	221.2(4) Each applicant shall submit with initial student or certification application satisfactory documentation evidencing graduation from high school or its equivalent and attainment of 18 years of age.
645—221.3(136C,147,149) Training requirements. No person shall be certified to operate radiation emitting equipment for purposes of podiatric radiography without having first successfully completed an approved program or course of study which includes the following:
	221.3(1) Theoretical considerations underlying radiation hygiene and podiatric radiological practices including radiation health and safety, lower extremity on anatomy, physics, concepts, physiology, techniques, positioning, equipment maintenance with efficiencies to minimize radiation exposure and frequency of retakes. The program or course of study shall include at least 15 hours of didactic training.
	221.3(2) Complete a radiographic clinical program sufficient to demonstrate proficiency to a podiatric sponsor. This would include equipment maintenance and review, exposings, processing, evaluating for quality, mounting and filing of radiographic projections/films usually involved in podiatric radiography. The program or course of study shall include at least 50 total exposures with direct supervision by a podiatrist or certified person to take podiatric X-rays. The program or course of study shall include at least 20 working days of clinical training in a podiatric office or clinic.
	221.3(3) Submit a statement on a form supplied by the board office from a clinical podiatric sponsor certifying completion of and competency of subrule 221.3(2).
	221.3(4) An applicant for certification in podiatric radiography shall be deemed eligible for certification upon compliance with the provisions of subrules 221.3(1) to 221.3(3) and passing the written examination outlined in rule 221.6(136C,147,149).
645—221.4(136C,147,149) Approval of programs. A program or course of study may be approved by the board if the following conditions are met:
	221.4(1) The program constitutes an organized program of learning which contributes to the proficiency and skills of an individual operating radiation emitting equipment or otherwise engaging in podiatric radiography; and
	221.4(2) The program is conducted by individuals having special education, training and experience by reason of which said individuals may be deemed qualified to conduct the program in podiatric radiography, and are licensed or certified to take foot/ankle X-rays; and
	221.4(3) The program meets the requirements of subrules 221.3(1) to 221.3(3).
	221.4(4) Application for approval of a program or course of study shall be made to the board.
	221.4(5) The board may retroactively approve previously administered programs or courses of study given after July 1, 1990, if the program or course of study meets the requirements of subrules 221.3(1) to 221.3(3) and 221.4(1) to 221.4(4).
645—221.5(136C,147,149) Exemptions.
	221.5(1) Students enrolled in an approved accredited podiatry or medical assistant program who, as part of their course of study under a licensed person’s supervision, apply ionizing radiation for podiatric radiography.
	221.5(2) Podiatry assistants under student status who are enrolled in a board-approved podiatric radiography program or course of study as a part of their program or course of study, apply ionizing radiation to a human being while under the direct supervision of a licensed podiatrist in a podiatry office or school, provided the course of study is completed in not more than 12 months from its inception. Prior to engaging in program or course of study, the podiatry assistant must make application for student status to the board on the form approved by the board.
	221.5(3) Podiatry assistants who hold a permit to practice limited diagnostic radiography in extremities or foot by the bureau of environmental health.
	221.5(4) Persons licensed as podiatrists under Iowa Code chapter 149.
645—221.6(136C,147,149) Examination and proficiency evaluation. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no person shall operate radiation emitting equipment in any podiatry office without first having also successfully passed a written examination with a score of 70 percent or greater given under standard, controlled conditions by the board of podiatry examiners and proctored by appropriate personnel. The examination will be given in June and December and at other times at the discretion of the board.
	221.6(1) In the event a podiatry assistant under student status pursuant to subrule 221.5(2) fails twice to successfully complete the examination, a third examination may be taken so long as the third examination is taken within 60 days after expiration of the 12-month period of student status. In the event the podiatry assistant fails the third examination, student status shall be revoked and the podiatry assistant shall be deemed ineligible to participate in podiatric radiography under student status unless the student status is obtained pursuant to subrule 221.5(2).
	221.6(2) A podiatry assistant who takes the examination for issuance of a renewal as defined in subrule 221.9(6) of a certificate is allowed to take the examination not more than two times. The board may require the podiatry assistant to take remedial training prior to being allowed to retake the examination. Podiatry assistants in this category may not participate in podiatric radiography before successful completion of the examination and issuance of a certificate or issuance of a renewal of an existing certificate.
	221.6(3) A podiatry assistant who holds a permit to practice limited diagnostic radiography in extremities or foot by the bureau of environmental health may apply for and be granted a certificate in podiatric radiography without meeting the training requirements in rule 221.3(136C,147,149) or the exam requirements in rule 221.6(136C,147,149). A temporary permit issued by the bureau of environmental health does not qualify under this subrule.
	221.6(4) Certification by endorsement of equivalency training. Any person who is the holder of a current certificate in podiatric radiography issued by another state, jurisdiction, agency or recognized professional registry may, upon presentation of the certificate to the board, be considered to meet the requirements of subrules 221.3(1) to 221.3(3) provided that the board finds that the standards and procedures for certification in the state, jurisdiction, agency or recognized professional registry which issued the certificate afford protection to the public equivalent to that afforded by this chapter.
645—221.7(136C,147,149) Application for student status.
	221.7(1) Applications for student status shall be made to the board on the form provided by the board prior to engaging in clinical training under a podiatrist.
	221.7(2) The student application must include the following:
	a. 	Verification of completion of high school or equivalent;
	b. 	Fee of $25 for student status.
645—221.8(136C,147,149) Application for board certification. Applications for issuance of a certificate shall be made to the board on the form provided by the board and must be completely answered.
	221.8(1) Applications must be filed with the board along with:
	a. 	Verification of completion of an approved didactic course of study.
	b. 	Signature of an Iowa-licensed podiatrist attesting to the reasonable clinical proficiency of the applicant having observed the applicant for a period of not less than 20 working days and that the applicant has logged 50 foot/ankle X-rays for a period of not less than 20 working days within the last 12-month period as stated in subrule 221.3(2).
	c. 	Proof that the applicant has successfully completed the written examination administered by the board.
	d. 	Signed verification as to the truth of the statements and that the applicant has read the requirements of these rules and understands the regulations pertaining to podiatric radiography.
	e. 	The fee as specified in these rules.
	f. 	Additional information the board may require relating to character, education and experience as may be necessary to pass upon the applicant’s certification.
	221.8(2) Any person who does not meet the requirements of subrule 221.8(1) may apply for student status as defined in subrule 221.5(2).
645—221.9(136C,147,149) Renewal requirements.
	221.9(1) The biennial renewal period for a certificate to practice as a podiatry assistant shall extend from July 1 of each even-numbered year until June 30 of the next even-numbered year. Beginning July 1, 2000, the continuing education compliance period shall extend from July 1 of each even-numbered year until June 30 of the next even-numbered year.
An application and a continuing education report form for renewal of certificate to practice as a podiatry assistant shall be mailed to the licensee at least 60 days prior to the expiration of the certificate. Failure to receive the renewal application shall not relieve the certificate holder of the obligation to pay biennial renewal fees on or before the renewal date.
	221.9(2) Beginning July 1, 2000, the continuing education compliance period will coincide with the renewal compliance period. The certificate holder shall submit to the board office 30 days before certificate expiration the application and continuing education report form with the renewal fee as specified in rule 221.10(136C). Individuals who were issued their initial certificate within six months of certificate renewal will not be required to renew their certificate until the next renewal two years later. The new certificate holder shall be exempt from meeting the continuing education requirement for the continuing education biennium in which the initial certificate is originally issued. Podiatry assistants will be required to report two hours of continuing education for the first renewal and every renewal thereafter.
Continuing education requirements can be satisfied by attending courses in diagnostic radiography conducted by teaching institutions approved by the bureau of environmental health or given by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) or the Iowa Podiatric Medical Society (IPMS). Proof of attendance at such courses of study shall be retained for four years by the podiatry assistant and submitted to the board as further proof of compliance at the request of the board.
	221.9(3) Late renewal. If the renewal fee is received by the board within 30 days after the renewal expiration date, a penalty fee is charged. If renewal fee is received more than 30 days after the renewal expiration date, the certificate is lapsed. An application for reinstatement must be filed with the board with the renewal fee and the penalty fee as outlined in rule 221.10(136C). Individuals who fail to submit the renewal application and complete documentation of continuing education hours shall be required to pay a penalty fee and shall be subject to an audit of their continuing education report.
	221.9(4) Podiatry assistants who have not fulfilled the requirements for certificate renewal or an exemption in the required time frame will have a lapsed certificate and shall not engage in the practice of podiatric radiography. The holder of a certificate who fails to renew within five years after its expiration may obtain a renewal certificate only by following the procedures for application and testing provided in these rules.
	221.9(5) The board may require recertification, qualification and clinical evaluation of a podiatry assistant holding a certificate in podiatric radiography if the board, in its discretion, believes such action is necessary for the protection of the public.
645—221.10(136C) Certificate in podiatric radiography—fees.
	221.10(1) The fee for application for a certificate in podiatric radiography or student status leading to certification is $25.
	221.10(2) The fee for the podiatric radiography exam is $10.
	221.10(3) The fee for renewal of a certificate is $10.
	221.10(4) The fee for renewal if the applicant has failed to renew the certificate within 30 days after expiration is $35.
	221.10(5) Fee for a returned check is $15.
645—221.11(136C,147,149) Responsibilities of certificate holder.
	221.11(1) The podiatry assistant holding a certificate issued by the board shall conspicuously display the certificate in the office of employment.
	221.11(2) The podiatry assistant holding a certificate issued by the board shall notify the office of the board of any address change within 60 days.
645—221.12(136C,147,149) Enforcement.
	221.12(1) Any individual except a licensed podiatrist, a certified podiatric radiography assistant, or a limited diagnostic radiologic technologist certified in extremities or foot by the bureau of environmental health who participates in podiatric radiography in violation of this chapter or Iowa Code chapter 136C shall be subject to the criminal and civil penalties set forth in Iowa Code sections 136C.4 and 136C.5.
	221.12(2) Any licensed podiatrist who permits a person to engage in podiatric radiography contrary to this chapter of Iowa Code chapter 136C shall be subject to discipline by the board pursuant to rule 645—220.212(272C).
These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code section 136C.3 and chapters 147 and 149.
[Filed 11/22/91, Notice 7/24/91—published 12/11/91, effective 1/15/92]
[Filed 11/20/92, Notice 9/30/92—published 12/9/92, effective 1/13/93]
[Filed 11/2/95, Notice 9/27/95—published 11/22/95, effective 12/27/95]
[Filed 5/28/99, Notice 2/24/99—published 6/16/99, effective 7/21/99]