Won’t Apply to Pre-Existing Registered Certifications —
ARRT Certificates Issued 1/1/11 and Beyond
To be Time-Limited Under ‘CQ/2011’ Plan

Continued Qualifications Requirements program establishes 10-year time frame.

(ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA—June 7, 2007) — ARRT certifications awarded January 1, 2011, and thereafter will be time-limited to 10 years. Prior to the end of the 10-year period, the individual will be required to demonstrate continued qualifications in order to continue to hold the certification.

The Continued Qualifications Requirements — ‘CQ/2011,’ for short — will not apply to any certificates that were issued before 1/1/11 and kept currently registered.

The new CQ requirements were announced June 3 at the annual meeting of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT).

ARRT says that the new requirements are based on new realities. “Although at one time the shelf life of knowledge was sufficiently long that the ‘once certified, forever qualified’ approach might be true, this proposition can no longer be supported,” according to ARRT President Anne C. Chapman, R.T.(R)(N), CNMT. “The reality is that knowledge has a limited shelf life, and we want consumers to know that ARRT certification means that the individual has relevant current knowledge that enhances his or her ability to provide high-quality patient care." 

Details of how the program will work are being developed. “Generally, the model will include an assessment component tailored to an individual’s particular practice pattern, an activities component specific to their areas of need, and a verification component that assures that the areas of need have been addressed,” according to ARRT Executive Director Jerry B. Reid, Ph.D. “The CQ/2011 model will recognize a variety of activities to document that areas of need have been addressed effectively, including CE.”

ARRT has posted a comprehensive “Q&A” on its www.arrt.org website and will update it as information is made available.

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists promotes high standards of patient care by recognizing individuals qualified in medical imaging, interventional procedures, and radiation therapy. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, ARRT evaluates, certifies, and annually registers more than a quarter-of-a-million radiologic technologists across the United States. For more information, visit www.arrt.org.