Continuing Qualifications Requirements (CQR)
What is CQR?
Continuing Qualifications Requirements, better known as CQR, help you, the radiographer, assess and improve your knowledge, refresh your understanding of areas in which there are knowledge gaps and allow you to provide high-quality patient care. CQR is a three-step process involving a Professional Profile, Structured Self-Assessment and any Prescribed Continuing Education. CQR is completed every 10 years, with ARRT notifying you through your ARRT online account around year 7 that your CQR compliance period window is open. Make sure your email address on your ARRT account is current so that you receive this notification. Once the CQR compliance period opens, you will have about 3 years to complete the Professional Profile, Structured Self-Assessment and any Prescribed Continuing Education.
Is CQR a requirement for all R.T.s?
No. Only radiographers who earned any credentials after January 1, 2011, are subject to CQR. CQR applies to each discipline you hold.
What are the steps in the CQR process?
1. Professional Profile
The Professional Profile takes approximately 15 minutes to complete, and looks like an online survey. It will ask you about the types and frequency of procedures you perform compared with others in your discipline. You will get a summary report immediately after completing the profile that compares your experience with others in your discipline.
2. Structured Self-Assessment (SSA)
The purpose of this 2-hour assessment is to help identify any gaps in knowledge related to your credential. Because this assessment measures your current knowledge, it is not necessary to study prior to taking it. This assessment is NOT a test—which means you can’t fail it! You can take your SSA at a Pearson VUE professional center (like the one where you took your registry) or from your personal computer at home while a proctor monitors you through a webcam. In most cases taking the SSA is free.
3. Prescribed Continuing Education
Not everyone will need to complete this step. Your SSA will reveal any areas for improvement, and CQR assignments will be prescribed based on those results. Results are posted to your online ARRT account 1-2 weeks after completing the SSA. This gives you about 3 years to earn the needed CQR credits. While earning the CQR credits, you can also count the related CE credits for each activity toward your ARRT biennium requirements (24 CEs every other year).
How will I know what CQR I need?
Your Structured Self-Assessment will reveal any areas for improvement, and CQR assignments will be prescribed by ARRT based on those results. The number and category of CQR credits needed will be posted to your online ARRT account 1-2 weeks after completing the assessment.
Does the ALSRT provide CQR?
Beginning with the 2020 Spring Annual Conference, the ALSRT plans to offer CQR credits (pending ARRT approval) along with Category A CEs (pending ASRT approval) at each Annual and Fall Conference. These conferences are a great opportunity to hear from engaging, knowledgeable speakers while satisfying your CE and CQR requirements.
What if I have additional questions about CQR?
Visit https://www.arrt.org/CQR for more detailed information. For questions about how ALSRT can help meet your CQR needs, please contact us or email us at contactus@alsrt.org.