Technologist: MRI/Breast MRI (Revised 12-12-19)
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Modified on: Wed, 26 May, 2021 at 11:59 AM
All technologists performing MRI examinations must meet all of the minimum criteria for initial qualifications, continuing experience and continuing education outlined in the table below. The ACR recommends that technologists be certified and actively registered in the modality they perform. In addition, the ACR recommends that technologists performing cardiac MRI and breast MRI hold the Current Basic Life Support certification and be capable of using an automatic external defibrillator.
Note: If mammography technologists participate in breast MRI biopsy procedures on an accredited unit, they are not required to meet the qualifications for the MRI technologists performing breast MRI, as long as a qualified MRI technologist is performing the MRI examination during the biopsy.
Initial QualificationsAny technologist practicing MRI scanning should be licensed in the jurisdiction in which he/she practices, if state licensure for MRI technologists exists. |
One of these:ARRT, ARMRIT or CAMRT registered as an MR technologist ORARRT registered or unlimited state license and 6 months supervised MRI clinical scanning experience* ORAssociate degree or bachelor degree in allied health field and certification in another clinical imaging field (such as ARDMS or NMTCB) and 6 months supervised MRI clinical scanning experience* OR(MRI Only) Performing MRI prior to and continuously since October 1996 and evaluated by responsible physician to assure competence
In addition, all Breast MRI technologists must also meet both of the following:Licensure in the state in which he/she practices (if required for MRI technologists)Supervised experience in breast MRI and supervised experience in the intravenous administration of MR contrast (if contrast administration is performed by the technologist)
*Breast MRI: The experience need not be in whole body MRI; supervision may be performed by a radiologist or technologist who is already qualified in breast MRI. The supervisor should be present to observe and correct, as needed, the performance of the individual being supervised while performing the examination. Technologists should document their experience as they would for mammography under MQSA (examples of appropriate documentation include a letter or other document from a training program, or a letter or other document confirming in-house or formal training). |
For Cardiac ModuleARRT, ARMRIT or CAMRT registered as an MR technologist ORARRT registered and unlimited state license and 6 months supervised MRI clinical scanning experience and (all technologists):Cardiac MRI experience supervised by a qualified physician or a qualified technologist (required)Experience in the intravenous administration of conventional MR contrast, supervised by a qualified physician or a qualified technologist (required)Maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification (recommended)Be capable of using an automatic external defibrillator (AED) (recommended)
Any technologist practicing MRI scanning should be licensed in the jurisdiction in which he/she practices, if state licensure for MRI technologists exists. |
Continuing Experience (Breast MRI Only) |
Upon renewal, the technologist must document 50 breast MRI examinations in the prior 24 months. If 2 technologists participate in performing a breast MRI examination, both may count the examination towards their continuing experience.
Technologists no longer qualified in breast MRI because continuing experience was not maintained may requalify by performing a sufficient number of breast MRI examinations to bring the technologist’s total up to 50 breast MRI procedures for the prior 24 months. |
Continuing Education Requirements |
Registered technologists:In compliance with the CE requirements of their certifying organization for the imaging modality in which they perform servicesCE includes credits pertinent to technologist’s ACR-accredited clinical practice
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State-licensed technologists and all others:24 hours of CE every 2 yearsCE is relevant to imaging and the radiologic sciences, patient careCE includes credits pertinent to the technologist’s ACR-accredited clinical practice
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Revision History for this Article |
Date | Section | Description of Revision(s) |
12-12-19 | All | Article created; FAQs incorporated; No criteria changes |
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