MQSA Mammography CE Requirements: What Mammographers Need to Know
- TakeCE Team
- Sep 26
- 3 min read
Radiologic technologists performing mammography must follow the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) rules set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These continuing education (CE) requirements ensure technologists remain current with breast imaging standards and technologies.
MQSA Continuing Education Requirements
Under 21 CFR 900.12(a)(2)(iii), technologists must meet the following:
15 CEUs in Mammography every 36 months
Each technologist must earn or teach at least 15 continuing education units (CEUs) in mammography during the 36 months prior to the facility’s annual inspection. The facility may choose the inspection date, the last day of the previous calendar quarter, or any date in between to define the 36-month window .
Teaching credit counts once
If a technologist teaches the same course multiple times, it can only be counted once toward the 15 CEUs .
Modality-specific requirement
At least 6 CEUs must relate to each mammographic modality (for example, full-field digital mammography or digital breast tomosynthesis) used by the technologist.
Requalification rule
If the requirement is not met, the technologist must complete the missing CEUs (with 6 per modality used) before resuming independent mammography exams.
New modality rule
Before independently performing mammograms on a new modality, the technologist must first complete 8 hours of CEUs specific to that modality .
Alternative path
Passing the ARRT® post-primary Mammography (M) or Breast Sonography (BS) exam satisfies the entire MQSA CE requirement for 36 months from the exam date.
MQSA vs. ARRT® CE Requirements
MQSA: 15 mammography CEUs in 36 months (FDA).
ARRT®: 24 Category A or A+ CE credits every 2 years across any approved discipline (unless modality-specific rules apply).
The two requirements are separate, though a single course may count toward both if it meets the criteria.
TakeCE Course Meeting MQSA Requirements
TakeCE offers an online course accepted for MQSA CE and ARRT® certification & registration renewal:
Credits: 24 Category A
Content Breakdown: FFDM: 14 CE | DBT: 9 CE | Other: 1 CE
Meets MQSA CE requirements for Full-Field Digital Mammography (FFDM) and Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT).
ARRT® acceptance: All 24 CE credits are accepted for ARRT® certification & registration renewal.
Meets ARRT® Mammography Structured Education requirement (16 hours across required content areas for post-primary certification).
Key Points to Remember
MQSA requires 15 mammography CEUs every 36 months.
At least 6 CEUs must match each modality you use (FFDM, DBT, etc.).
8 CEUs are required before using a new modality independently.
Passing the ARRT® Mammography exam resets MQSA CE compliance for 3 years.
TakeCE’s 24CE FFDM & DBT course covers MQSA, ARRT®, and many state CE requirements in one step.
FAQs About MQSA CE
Q: Can I use general radiology CE courses for MQSA?
A: No. MQSA requires mammography-specific CE.
Q: Do category A CE credits automatically satisfy MQSA?
A: Not unless the CE content is mammography-specific and meets MQSA criteria.
Q: What happens if I fall behind?
A:You must complete the missing MQSA CE before resuming unsupervised mammograms.
Q: Who tracks MQSA CE compliance?
A: Your facility is responsible, and compliance is verified during the FDA’s MQSA inspection.
Final Takeaway
Staying MQSA-compliant is critical for mammography technologists. With TakeCE, you can meet MQSA, registry, and state CE requirements in one streamlined course.
👉 Browse Mammography CE Courses on TakeCE.com
Disclaimer
This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal or regulatory advice. CE requirements may vary by state, facility, or accrediting body. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, it is the responsibility of each technologist and facility to verify compliance with the U.S. FDA’s Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA), the ARRT® certification & registration requirements, and any applicable state regulations. For official guidance, please refer directly to the FDA, the ARRT®, or your state licensing authority.