Accreditations and licenses

American College of Radiology

The 34,000 members of the American College of Radiology (ACR) include radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, interventional radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians. For more than three-quarters of a century, the ACR has devoted its resources to making imaging safe, effective and accessible to those who need it.

Imaging In medicine, a process that makes pictures of areas inside the body. Imaging uses methods such as X-rays (high-energy radiation), ultrasound (high-energy sound waves) and radio waves. Radiation oncologist A physician who has special training in using radiation to treat cancer. Radiologist A physician who has special training in creating and interpreting pictures of areas inside the body. The pictures are made with X-rays, sound waves or other types of energy.

The mission of the ACR is to serve patients and society by:

Maximizing the value of radiology, radiation oncology, interventional radiology, nuclear medicine and medical physics
Advancing the science of radiology
Improving the quality of patient care
Positively influencing the socio-economics of the practice of radiology
Providing continuing education for radiology and allied health professions
Conducting research for the future of radiology

The ACR’s accreditation program is the nation’s oldest and most widely recognized medical imaging and radiation oncology accrediting body.

All facilities providing mammography must be certified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Mammography Quality Standards Act of 1994. To be certified, a facility must be accredited. The FDA has designated the ACR as an accrediting body.

The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, signed into law in 2008, requires providers of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET) and nuclear medicine exams that bill under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) fee schedule to be accredited by January 2012 in order to receive Medicare payments. CMS has designated the ACR as an accrediting body.

Computed tomography A procedure that uses a computer linked to an X-ray machine to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. The pictures are used to create three-dimensional (3-D) views of tissues and organs. A procedure that uses a computer linked to an X-ray machine to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. The pictures are taken from different angles and are used to create three-dimensional (3-D) views of tissues and organs. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the tissues and organs show up more clearly. This scan may be used to help diagnose disease, plan treatment or find out how well treatment is working. Imaging In medicine, a process that makes pictures of areas inside the body. Imaging uses methods such as X-rays (high-energy radiation), ultrasound (high-energy sound waves) and radio waves. Mammography The use of film or a computer to create a picture of the breast. Magnetic resonance imaging A procedure in which radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer are used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body. A procedure in which radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer are used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures can show the difference between normal and diseased tissue. MRI makes better images of organs and soft tissue than other scanning techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) or X-ray. MRI is especially useful for imaging the brain, the spine, the soft tissue of joints and the inside of bones.

Certificates

ACR-Cccredited Facility Look-Up

Back To: Accreditations and Licenses