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AB-511 • 2026

Radiologist assistants.

Radiologist assistants.

Crime Healthcare Labor Technology
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Chen
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Radiologist Assistant Requirements

This law sets rules for people who want to be called radiologist assistants in California, including passing an exam and working under the supervision of a licensed radiologist.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires someone to pass a special exam and register with certain groups before they can call themselves a radiologist assistant.
  • Says that a radiologist assistant must work under the direct supervision of a licensed radiologist.
  • Limits what tasks a radiologist assistant can do, making sure these are only things a radiologist usually does and finds appropriate for the assistant's skill level.
  • Allows a radiologist assistant to share initial observations or procedures with their supervising radiologist.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who want to be radiologist assistants in California
  • Radiologists who supervise radiologist assistants

Terms To Know

radiologist assistant
A healthcare worker who helps a licensed radiologist with tasks related to imaging and diagnostic procedures.
supervising radiologist
The licensed doctor who oversees the work of a radiologist assistant.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify what happens if someone breaks these rules.
  • Does not mention how long it takes to become a radiologist assistant after passing the exam and registering.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2026-01-31 California Legislative Information

    Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.

  3. 2025-05-23 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Held under submission.

  4. 2025-04-23 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.

  5. 2025-04-01 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 17. Noes 0.) (April 1). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  6. 2025-02-24 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on B. & P.

  7. 2025-02-11 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 13.

  8. 2025-02-10 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 511, as introduced, Chen.
Radiologist assistants.
Existing law, the Radiologic Technology Act, prohibits a person from administering or using diagnostic or therapeutic X-rays on human beings in this state, unless that person either qualifies for a specified exemption or has been certified or granted a permit by the State Department of Public Health, as specified, is acting within the scope of that certification or permit, and is acting under the supervision of a healing arts licensee. A person who violates a provision of the Radiologic Technology Act or regulation of the department adopted pursuant to that act is guilty of a misdemeanor.
This bill would prohibit a person from holding themselves out as a radiologist assistant unless the person meets certain requirements, including that they have passed the radiologist assistant examination, as specified, and that they maintain current registration
with prescribed entities. The bill would require a radiologist assistant to work only under the supervision of a radiologist and would prohibit a radiologist assistant from functioning in that capacity independent of a supervising radiologist. The bill, among other things, would authorize a radiologist assistant to communicate and document initial clinical and imaging observations or procedures only to a radiologist for the radiologist’s use. The bill would authorize a supervising radiologist to delegate to a radiologist assistant, as the radiologist determines appropriate to the assistant’s competence, those tasks or services that a radiologist usually performs and is qualified to perform. The bill would provide that a violation of its provisions does not constitute a misdemeanor.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
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