Board decisions following scope of practice consultation

18 Sept, 2026

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their views throughout the consultation processes.

Between December 2025 and February 2026, the Board consulted on proposed changes to the scopes of practice and qualifications for medical imaging and radiation therapy practitioners. The Board has now made decisions about this.

High level changes announced

These high-level changes to the scopes and qualifications were announced at the NZSMIRT conference recently:

• Ending of the Trainee scopes for Nuclear Medicine Technologists (NMT), Sonographers (SON) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (MRIT).
• Awarding endorsements on practice for practitioners completing qualifications that form parts of another scope.
•  Inclusion of diagnostic CT in the Nuclear Medicine Technologist scope.
• Enable accredited Aotearoa New Zealand pathways - for postgraduate and undergraduate education - for Nuclear Medicine Technologists, Sonographers and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists.

Consultation outcome to be published

Once the formal legal approval process is complete, a detailed consultation outcome document will be published, along with the NZ Gazette notice, with the changes expected to take effect from 1 April 2027.

More information to come

The Board will be communicating with those most affected by the changes to ensure they are aware of what this means for them. This includes those enrolled in the trainee scopes, education providers, Nuclear Medicine Technologists, employers and others.