The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) recently received reaccreditation for five of its credential programs from The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
The reaccreditations, which run for five years, include ARRT’s Radiography, Nuclear Medicine Technology, Radiation Therapy, Sonography, and Registered Radiologist Assistant credential programs. ARRT’s Computed Tomography credential program also has NCCA accreditation, but that program was not due for reaccreditation. ARRT earned reaccreditation by demonstrating the programs’ compliance with the NCCA’s Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs.
“We originally submitted our first three programs—Radiography, Nuclear Medicine Technology, and Radiation Therapy—for accreditation,” explains ARRT’s Executive Director, Jerry Reid, PhD. “We selected other programs for accreditation if there was a business rationale—such as when another organization also offers a credential, and accreditation is a way to differentiate our offering.”
For example, ARRT’s is the only Nuclear Medicine Technology credential accredited by NCCA. By offering certification and registration in the discipline, ARRT recognizes those professionals who are qualified to perform the role of a nuclear medicine technologist. Candidates for an ARRT credential must meet specific education, ethics, and examination requirements.
NCCA is the accrediting body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence. Since 1977, the NCCA has been accrediting certifying programs based on the highest standards in professional certification. Its mission is to help ensure public health, welfare, and safety by ensuring that credentialing programs adhere to modern standards of practice in the certification industry. NCCA uses a peer-review process to establish accreditation standards; evaluate compliance with those standards; recognize organizations/programs that demonstrate compliance; and serve as a resource on quality certification.
ARRT promotes high standards of patient care by recognizing qualified individuals in medical imaging, interventional procedures, and radiation therapy. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, ARRT evaluates, certifies, and annually registers more than 335,000 radiologic technologists across the United States. For more information, visit www.arrt.org.
