Bio-Med Associates Medical Physics Consulting

New Jersey Medical Physicist Qualifications

Medical Physicists practicing in New Jersey must adhere to the NJ Administrative Code Title 7, Chapter 28, which governs Radiation Protection Programs in the state, according to the NJ Radiation Protection Act:

• Certification as a "Qualified Medical Physicist" for X-Ray Equipment Quality Assurance Programs (including Annual QC surveys)
• Recognition as a "Qualified Invididual" for X-Ray Equipment Radiation Safety Surveys and Radiation Structural Shielding Surveys
• Recognition as a "Qualified Radiological Physicist" for Radiation Therapy installations

Certification as a "Qualified Medical Physicist"
For X-Ray Equipment Quality Assurance Programs (including Annual QC surveys)

Only a "Qualified Medical Physicist" certified by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) may perform Annual Quality Control (QC) surveys of x-ray equipment, as part of a facility's quality assurance program (NJDEP facility quality assurance requirements).

NJDEP certification criteria for supervision of quality assurance programs (including Annual QC surveys) for Medical Diagnostic, Radiographic, Fluoroscopic, and CT equipment are defined in NJAC 7:28, subchapter 22, section 12 (click to view relevant 7:28-22.12 requirements for each certification):

• Qualified Medical Physicist for the supervision of quality assurance programs for Diagnostic X-Ray imaging
• Qualified Medical Physicist for the supervision of quality assurance programs for Computed Tomography equipment
• Qualified Medical Physicist Assistant in Radiography
• Qualified Medical Physicist Assistant in Fluoroscopy

Mammography Units

For the supervision of quality assurance programs for Mammography units, NJDEP additionally requires the supervising medical physicist to meet requirements defined by the American College of Radiology (ACR), in order for the facility to be ACR accredited. ACR accreditation is required by NJDEP for all NJ mammography facilities in order to comply with the FDA Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) (further info at http://www.state.nj.us/dep/rpp/mam/index.htm ) (view NJAC 7:28-15.14 excerpt and ACR section H requirements).

Recognition as a "Qualified Invididual"
For X-Ray Equipment Radiation Safety Surveys and Radiation Structural Shielding Surveys

Only a "Qualified Individual" recognized by the NJDEP may perform Radiation Safety surveys (required when x-ray equipment is installed, repaired, or moved) and Radiation Structural Shielding surveys (required for new construction where x-ray equipment will be located) for x-ray equipment used for Medical Diagnostic, Veterinary, Chiropractic, Podiatric, Dental, CT, Mammography, and Radiation Therapy Simulation purposes.

NJDEP recognizes a "qualified individual" for the purposes of performing these surveys based on criteria defined in NJAC 7:28-16 (dental), and NJAC 7:28-15 (all other modalities) (click to show relevant excerpts).

Recognition as a "Qualified Radiological Physicist"
for Radiation Therapy installations

Only a "Qualified Radiological Physicist" recognized by the NJDEP may perform Radiation Safety surveys, Radiation Structural Shielding surveys, System Calibration, and supervision of Quality Assurance Programs for Radiation Therapy installations.

NJDEP recognizes a "qualified radiological physicist" for the purposes of performing these services based on criteria defined in NJAC 7:28-14 (click to show relevant excerpt).

N.J.A.C. EXCERPTS (CITED ABOVE)

NJAC 7:28-22.12(a):
Medical Physicist for Supervision of Quality Assurance Programs for Diagnostic X-Ray Imaging

Only a person who holds a valid certificate issued by the Department in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:28-22.13(a) and meets at least one of the following criteria may perform the duties of a "qualified medical physicist for the supervision of quality assurance programs for diagnostic x-ray imaging" as required in this subchapter:

1. Certification by one of the following agencies in the specialty listed:
   1. The American Board of Radiology in Diagnostic Radiological Physics or Radiological Physics;
   2. The American Board of Medical Physics in Diagnostic Imaging Physics;
   3. Certification issued by the Fellowship in the Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine that is equivalent to (a) 1i or ii above; or
   4. Certification by other national certifying boards, which may be recognized by the Commission, where the person seeking recognition as a qualified medical physicist for the supervision of quality assurance programs for diagnostic x-ray imaging has petitioned the Commission in writing and where the Commission has issued a written determination that the certification in question meets the criteria of a qualified medical physicist pursuant to this section;
2. A master's or doctorate degree from an accredited college in radiological health, radiation sciences, physics, chemistry, environmental sciences, engineering or a related field and at least three years of professional, clinical and technical experience in the field of radiological physics, including the performance of quality control tests of diagnostic x-ray imaging, that was obtained under the supervision of an individual who meets the requirements of this section, except the requirement to hold a certificate issued by the Department; or
3. Any individual who does not meet at least one of the foregoing criteria may petition the Commission for recognition as a qualified medical physicist for the supervision of quality assurance programs for diagnostic x-ray imaging. The individual shall submit a written petition to the Commission that contains sufficient information on his or her educational, professional, clinical, technical, employment and/or any other relevant experience. The Commission may approve any such petition based on its determination that the individual demonstrates competence to act as a qualified medical physicist for the supervision of quality assurance programs for diagnostic x-ray imaging.

NJAC 7:28-22.12(b):
Medical Physicist for Supervision of Quality Assurance Programs for CT Equipment

Only a person who holds a valid Certificate issued by the Department in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:28-22.13(a) and meets at least one of the following criteria may perform the duties of a "Qualified medical physicist for the supervision of quality assurance programs for computed tomography equipment" as required in this subchapter:

1. Certification by one of the following agencies in the specialty listed:
   1. The American Board of Radiology in Diagnostic Radiological Physics or Radiological Physics;
   2. The American Board of Medical Physics in Diagnostic Imaging Physics;
   3. Certification issued by the Fellowship in the Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine that is equivalent to (b)1i or ii above; or
   4. Certification by other national certifying boards, which may be recognized by the Commission, where the person seeking recognition as a qualified medical physicist for the supervision of quality assurance programs for computed tomography x-ray equipment has petitioned the Commission in writing and where the Commission has issued a written determination that the certification in question meets the criteria of a qualified medical physicist pursuant to this section;
2. A master's or doctorate degree from an accredited college in radiological health, radiation sciences, physics, chemistry, environmental sciences, engineering or a related field and at least three years of professional, clinical and technical experience in the field of radiological physics, including the performance testing of computed tomography equipment that was obtained under the supervision of an individual who meets the requirements of this section, except the requirement to hold a certificate issued by the Department; or
3. Any individual who does not meet at least one of the foregoing criteria may petition the Commission for recognition as a qualified medical physicist for the supervision of quality assurance programs for computed tomography equipment. The individual shall submit a written petition to the Commission that contains sufficient information on his or her educational, professional, clinical, technical, employment and/or any other relevant experience. The Commission may approve any such petition based on its determination that the individual demonstrates competence to act as a qualified medical physicist for the supervision of quality assurance programs for computed tomography equipment.

NJAC 7:28-22.12(c):
Medical Physicist Assistant in Radiography

Only a person who holds a valid Certificate issued by the Department in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:28-22.13(a), meets one of the criteria contained in (c) 1 through 5 below and also meets criterion 6 below may perform the duties of a "qualified medical physicist assistant in radiography":

1. Is currently ARRT certified in general radiography or holds a current New Jersey license as a diagnostic radiologic technologist and has five years of experience as a practicing diagnostic technologist, one year of which shall include performing quality control tests on radiographic equipment;
2. Is currently ARRT certified in both general radiography and in quality management with three years of experience as a practicing diagnostic radiologic technologist;
3. Has a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in biology, chemistry, radiation sciences, physics, engineering or mathematics and four years of technical experience performing quality control tests on radiographic equipment in the field of radiological health;
4. Has a master's degree or a doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in radiological health, radiation sciences, physics, chemistry, environmental sciences, engineering or a related field and two years of technical experience performing quality control tests on radiographic equipment in the field of radiological health; or
5. Any individual who does not meet at least one of the foregoing criterion may petition the Commission for recognition as a qualified medical physicist assistant in radiography. The individual shall submit a written petition to the Commission that contains sufficient information on his or her educational, professional, clinical, technical, employment and/or any other relevant experience. The Commission may approve any such petition based on its determination that the individual demonstrates competence to act as a qualified medical physicist assistant in radiography.
6. In addition to the criteria (c) 1 through 5 above, the individual shall document to the satisfaction of the Department, that the individual has received, at a minimum, training and instruction on performing QC tests and has performed quality control tests 1 through 9 of Table 4, Medical Physicist’s Radiographic QC Survey in N.J.A.C. 7:28-22.8 on at least five radiographic units while under the immediate supervision of a qualified medical physicist for the supervision of quality assurance programs for diagnostic x-ray imaging.

NJAC 7:28-22.12(d):
Medical Physicist Assistant in Fluoroscopy

Only a person who holds a valid certificate issued by the Department in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:28-22.13(a), meets one of the criteria contained in (d) 1 through 5 below and also meets criterion (d) 6 may perform the duties of a "qualified medical physicist assistant in fluoroscopy":

1. Is currently ARRT certified in general radiography or holds a current New Jersey license as a diagnostic radiologic technologist and has five years of experience as a practicing diagnostic technologist, one year of which shall include performing quality control tests in fluoroscopy;
2. Is currently ARRT certified in both general radiography and in quality management with three years of experience as a practicing diagnostic radiologic technologist;
3. Has a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in biology, chemistry, radiation sciences, physics, engineering or mathematics and four years of technical experience performing quality control tests on fluoroscopic equipment in the field of radiological health;
4. Has a master's degree or a doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in radiological health, radiation sciences, physics, chemistry, environmental sciences, engineering or a related field and two years of technical experience performing quality control tests on fluoroscopic equipment in the field of radiological health; or
5. Any individual who does not meet at least one of he foregoing criterion may petition the Commission for recognition as a qualified medical physicist assistant in fluoroscopy. The individual shall submit a written petition to the Commission that contains sufficient information on his or her educational, professional, clinical, technical, employment and/or any other relevant experience. The Commission may approve any such petition based on its determination that the individual demonstrates competence to act as a qualified medical physicist assistant in fluoroscopy.
6. In addition to the criteria (d)1 through 5 above, the individual shall document to the satisfaction of the Department, that the individual has received, at a minimum, training and instruction on performing QC tests and has performed quality control tests 1 through 7, 9 and 10 of Table 5, Medical Physicist's Fluoroscopic QC Survey in N.J.A.C. 7:28-22.9 on at least five fluoroscopic units while under the immediate supervision of a qualified medical physicist for the supervision of quality assurance programs for diagnostic x-ray imaging.

NJAC 7:28-15.4; ACR; MQSA:
Supervision of Quality Assurance Programs for Mammography

According to NJAC 7:28-15.4(e), each mammography unit must be accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) or an equivalent standard acceptable to the Commission, and accreditation must be maintained according to ACR requirements:

http://www.acr.org/~/media/ACR/Documents/Accreditation/Mammography/Requirements.pdf

As stated in the ACR document linked above, all medical physicists conducting mammography equipment evaluations and annual surveys to comply with ACR accreditation requirements must meet the following MQSA-required qualifications:

Initial Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in a physical science, and
• 20 semester hours of physics, and
• 20 contact hours of training in conducting surveys of mammography facilities, and
• Experience in conducting surveys of 10 units and 1 facility

AND

• Certified in Diagnostic Radiological Physics, Diagnostic Medical Physics, Imaging Physics, or Radiological Physics by:
  • American Board of Radiology, or
  • American Board of Medical Physics, or
• Licensed or approved by a state

AND

• 8 hours of training in a mammographic modality (e.g., digital) before surveying units of that modality

Continuing Experience: Survey 2 mammography facilities and 6 mammography units over a 24-month period

Continuing Education: 15 CME/CEUs in mammography in a 36-month period

NJAC 7:28-16.2
Qualified Individual to Perform Radiation Safety Surveys and Radiation Structural Shielding Surveys
For Dental X-Ray Equipment

Only a person who is recognized as a "qualified individual" by the Department in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:28-16, may perform radiation safety surveys and radiation structural shielding surveys for dental x-ray equipment. "Qualified individual" means an individual who meets at least one of the following criteria for diagnostic x-ray equipment:

1. Certification by one of the following agencies in the specialty listed:
   1. The American Board of Radiology in Diagnostic Radiological Physics or Radiological Physics;
   2. The American Board of Health Physics in Comprehensive Health Physics;
   3. The American Board of Medical Physics in Diagnostic Imaging Physics or Medical Health Physics;
   4. Certification issued by the Fellowship in the Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine which is equivalent to li or iii above; or
   5. Certification by other national certifying boards which may be recognized by the Commission on Radiation Protection where the person seeking recognition as a qualified individual has petitioned the CORP in writing and where the CORP has issued a written determination that the certification in question meets the criteria of a qualified individual pursuant to this subchapter;
2. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in biology, chemistry, radiation sciences, physics, engineering, or mathematics and at least five years of professional technical experience in the field of radiological physics or in the use of medical of dental ionizing radiation-producing equipment;
3. A master's or doctorate degree in radiological health, radiation sciences, physics, chemistry, environmental sciences, engineering or a related field and at least two years of professional technical experience in the field of radiological physics or in the use of medical or dental ionizing radiation- producing equipment; or
4. Ten years of professional technical experience in the field of radiological physics or in a radiation protection activity. At least five years of the required health physics experience shall have been with medical or dental ionizing radiation-producing equipment.

NJAC 7:28-15.2
Qualified Individual to Perform Radiation Safety Surveys and Radiation Structural Shielding Surveys
For Medical X-Ray Equipment and Therapy Simulator Systems

Only a person who is recognized as a "qualified individual" by the Department in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:28-15, may perform radiation safety surveys and radiation structural shielding surveys for medical diagnostic x-ray equipment and therapy simulator systems. "Qualified individual for the performance of radiation surveys for diagnostic x-ray equipment and therapy simulator systems" means an individual who meets at least one of the criteria listed below:

1. Certification by one of the following agencies in the specialty listed:
   1. The American Board of Radiology in Diagnostic Radiological Physics or Radiological Physics;
   2. The American Board of Health Physics in Comprehensive Health Physics;
   3. The American Board of Medical Physics in Diagnostic Imaging Physics or Medical Health Physics;
   4. Certification issued by the Fellowship in the Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine which is equivalent to 1i or iii above; or
   5. Certification by other national certifying boards which may be recognized by the Commission on Radiation Protection (Commission) where the person seeking recognition as a qualified individual for the performance of radiation surveys for diagnostic x-ray equipment and therapy simulator systems has petitioned the Commission in writing and where the Commission has issued a written determination that the certification in question meets the criteria of a qualified individual pursuant to this definition;
2. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in biology, chemistry, radiation sciences, physics, engineering, or mathematics and at least five years of professional technical experience in the field of radiological physics or in the use of medical ionizing-radiation-producing equipment;
3. A master's or doctorate degree from an accredited college in radiological health, radiation sciences, physics, chemistry, environmental sciences, engineering or a related field and at least two years of professional technical experience in the field of radiological physics or in the use of medical ionizing-radiation-producing equipment;
4. Ten years of professional technical experience in the field of radiological physics or in a radiation protection activity. At least five years of the required health physics experience shall have been with medical ionizing-radiation-producing equipment; or
5. Any individual who does not meet at least one of the foregoing criteria may petition the Commission for recognition as a "qualified individual for the performance of radiation surveys for diagnostic x-ray equipment and therapy simulator systems". The individual shall submit a written petition to the Commission which contains sufficient information on his or her educational, professional, clinical, technical, employment and/or any other relevant experience. The Commission may approve any such petition based on its determination that the individual demonstrates competence to act as a qualified individual for the performance of radiation surveys for diagnostic x-ray equipment and therapy simulator systems.

NJAC 7:28-14.2
Qualified Radiological Physicist to Perform Radiation Safety Surveys, Radiation Structural Shielding Surveys, System Calibration, and Supervision of Quality Assurance Programs
For Radiation Therapy Installations

Only a person who is recognized as a "qualified radiological physicist" by the Department in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:28-14, may perform radiation safety Surveys, radiation structural shielding surveys, system calibration, and supervision of quality assurance programs for radiation therapy installations. "Qualified radiological physicist" means a person who holds at least a bachelor's degree in one of the physical sciences and who is certified by the American Board of Radiology either in radiological physics, x- and gamma ray physics or therapeutic radiological physics, is eligible for such certification, or has equivalent training and experience.

1. "Equivalent training and experience" means a person has:
   1. A bachelor’s degree in physical sciences and three years full time experience working under the direction of a physicist certified by the American Board of Radiology;
   2. A doctorate or master’s degree in physical science and two years such experience; or
   3. A doctorate or master’s degree in radiological or medical physics and two years of full-time, post-doctoral training with clinical experience.