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Thanks for the great conversation. While this change is a process, it has to start with the support of our professional organizations as well as the educators who provide future RT's with a degree. I understand that it is not the sole responsibility of the AARC, but they should be our biggest advocate for increasing the education requirements of the future. If physical therapy and occupational therapy, etc., which are primarily rehabilitative professions,can increase their standard to a doctoral and masters degree respectively, there is no reason that RT's as a critical part of the health care team should not be able to do so. While cost and access can be an issue, we should start with new programs that can only offer the BSRT and eventually have AS programs change to the BS level. The idea of consortia is also great, but there seems to be so much competition in states where there are a large amount of AS programs. It is hard look toward the future of a profession if your own job can be at stake. However, in order for our profession to be respected and grow, we must progress, increase our standards, and demonstrate the ability to be independent thinkers. This is not to say that many RT's do not possess this ability now, but we must ensure pervasiveness in the field.

As we know, the profession (AARC) is striving toward a BS level requirement. But, this will not affect any existing RCP (RRT), etc. This would be akin to the grandfathering of licensure. And we must recognize that this project will take years to implement, to convert 2 year programs to 4 yr programs, something MOST universities will be averse to do, due to the cost (my alma mater, UCF, closed due to budgetary constraints, after 40 years of excellence ..).

WOW!!!! now this is a great topic you guys and i agree, hats off to you for bringing this to the front lines for our profession. now lets just hope the ones that can make a difference see this as an interesting topic as we do. and ms. Jankowski i really like how you put it "our profession will stay behind" your exactly right.

We can impact this issue by being careful when we elect our national AARC officiers. We should be making sure we are electing people who support the 2015 & Beyond initiatives.

The AARC does not decide educational requirements for RT’s. As an association, it can make recommendations. See the AARC’s 2015 and beyond project>>http://www.aarc.org/resources/2015_conferences/
and the recent BOD report http://www.aarc.org/headlines/13/01/2015_update.cfm?utm_source=newsnow&utm_medium=enews&utm_campaign=newsnow

I feel the BSRT should be required for all new grads effective whenever the AARC decides. I don't think they are trying to force the BSRT on current RTs are they? If they are going to force anything...I think they should force the RRT credential on everyone but I firmly believe that starts with the department Managers and Directors to require that of all thier employees.