Learn How R.T.s Are Doing on CQR

If you want to know more about Continuing Qualifications Requirements (CQR), check out our new Structured Self-Assessment (SSA) report. It shows the combined SSA results for Registered Technologists (R.T.s) in each discipline—including their average CQR continuing education (CE) prescriptions.

Do you have questions about our Continuing Qualifications Requirements (CQR)—in particular, about CQR continuing education (CE) prescriptions?

If so, you’ll want to review our new report. It tallies the average results of Registered Technologists (R.T.s) who completed their Structured Self-Assessments (SSAs) in 2022. We’ll update the SSA report each year.

The SSA, which is the second step of CQR, sometimes causes concern among R.T.s.

“People worry about how many continuing education credits they’ll need to complete after their SSA,” says J.J. Powell, ARRT’s Chief Education Officer. “We’re sharing this report to help create a more accurate understanding. For example, you’ll see that few people receive maximum CQR CE prescriptions.”

What You’ll Find in the Report

For each discipline subject to CQR, you’ll find a list of content categories and subcategories, along with the maximum (potential) amount of CE we prescribe for each category. Here’s an example.

As you can see, the maximum number of CE credits we’ll assign for a Radiation Therapy SSA is 36. On average, however, R.T.s in that discipline receive prescriptions of fewer than eight CE credits (7.83). The mean raw scores are the average number of correct answers for each section.

If you look at the content subcategories, you can see that more than 80% of R.T.s receive no CQR CE prescription for Treatments. A much smaller percentage—just over 38%—receive no CQR CE prescription for Radiation Physics and Radiobiology. 

How the Report Can Help You

What does this mean to you?

Review the SSA report after you complete your Professional Profile (the first step of CQR). Then compare your profile summary to the content subcategories and average prescribed CE in the SSA report.

If your summary shows you have less experience in certain procedures—especially those in which others tend to receive CQR CE prescriptions—consider completing free clinical refreshers before you take your SSA. To prepare for the overall SSA, review the CQR Assessment Content Specifications for your discipline.

About Clinical Refreshers

Once you complete your Professional Profile, you’ll have access to a list of clinical refreshers through the CQR tool in your online ARRT account. The list links to websites where you can read material or watch videos outlining the procedures about which you’d like more information. Reviewing the refreshers could help minimize the amount of CE you’re prescribed. But doing so isn’t required.

 Here’s what the page looks like in the CQR tool.

How We Prescribe CE

The SSA’s purpose is to identify any gaps you might have in your knowledge. It asks 10 questions in each subcategory.

Your CQR CE prescription—if any—will depend on the number of questions you answer correctly in each subcategory. If you answer:

• Seven questions or more correctly in any subcategory, you’ll receive no CQR CE prescription for that subcategory
• Four to six questions correctly in any subcategory, you'll receive a partial CQR CE prescription for that subcategory
• Three or fewer questions correctly in any subcategory, you’ll receive a maximum CQR CE prescription for that subcategory

The maximum CQR CE prescription varies, depending on subcategory and discipline. In the Radiation Therapy example above, if you answer seven questions correctly in Patient Interactions and Management, you won’t receive a CQR CE prescription for that subcategory. If you answer three or fewer correctly, you’ll receive a full CQR CE prescription—five CE credits—for that subcategory.

For most R.T.s, the maximum CQR CE prescription for an SSA is 36. For Registered Radiologist Assistants, the maximum is 48.

Questions?

If you have questions about CQR and how it affects you, contact us using Message Center or call us at 651.687.0048. Choose the option for CQR.