Update Given on Ultrasound Certification Program
Bob Hough presented an update of the Beef Cattle Ultrasound Technician Annual Proficiency Testing and Certification Program (APTC) Thursday, July 11, at the 34th annual Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Research Symposium and Meeting in Omaha, Neb. He presented the update during the Live Animal, Carcass and End Point Committee breakout session. 
Hough is chairman of the APTC board, which was formed by the Beef Breeds Council during the 2001 BIF meeting. The committee’s basic role, he explained, is in “developing, maintaining and governing proficiency testing protocol standards for all beef cattle ultrasound technician certification.”
A certification program was held at Iowa State University in September 2001. Of the 103 field technicians who sought certification, 81 passed and 22 failed, Hough reported. Of 21 lab technicians who sought certification, 13 passed, six failed and two were given apprentice status. Another lab certification was held in January.
The Board also appointed an APTC Systems Review Committee to establish policies for how to review software to see whether it meets industry standards, Hough said. “Once they approve any software, then it moves back to the committee to get at how that should be incorporated in the certification program.”
At this point the committee has approved the Beef Image Analysis (BIA) software for the old Aloka system, and it is currently reviewing software packages for the new Aloka system and the Falco 100. Results are expected by Aug. 1.
Another certification program will be held at Iowa State University this fall. The dates will be will be Sept. 23-27 and Sept. 30-Oct. 4. Ten technicians will be evaluated per day. Hough said the Board anticipated about 70 participants. The technicians will scan a mix of breeding cattle and fed cattle during certification. Lab certification will also be offered.
Hough said the fee for certification will be posted Aug. 1 to the APTC Web site at www.aptcbeef.org.
Hough said the appeal process would be limited to 30 days after notification of certification status. The criteria for an appeal will be provided.
The APTC Board is evaluating a proposal of another option for certification. It would provide that once a technician has gone through two certifications, he or she could opt to have randomly selected images collected that year to be analyzed to evaluate the technician’s competency. 
–Shauna Hermel