American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS) Breast Ultrasound Accreditation
To become accredited in breast ultrasound by the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS), a breast surgeon must meet the following requirements:
- Be board certified by the American Board of Surgery (ABS) or American Osteopathic Board of Surgery (AOBS), or have an equivalent international certification.
- Have completed a minimum of 1 year of training and experience in the performance and interpretation of breast ultrasound.
- Perform at least 100 breast ultrasound exams per year and review a minimum of 100 mammography exams annually, including a minimum of 80 diagnostic and 20 interventional exams.
- Complete 15 AMA Category 1 continuing medical education (CME) credits in breast ultrasound, including at least one all-day breast ultrasound course, within the 18 months prior to applying for certification.
In addition to these requirements, a breast surgeon seeking certification in breast ultrasound by the ASBrS must also complete a clinical application and pass a written examination. The clinical application and examination must be completed within a two-year period, but the order in which they are completed can be chosen by the applicant.
The American College of Radiology (ACR) also has a Breast Ultrasound Accreditation Program, and ASBrS certification in breast ultrasound is accepted as a qualification for physicians performing breast ultrasound in ACR-accredited facilities. The ACR has its own requirements for accreditation, which are available on its website.
American College of Radiology Breast Ultrasound Accreditation For Non-Radiologists
To be accredited in breast ultrasound by the American College of Radiology (ACR), non-radiologists must meet the following requirements:
- Completion of an ACGME-approved residency program in a specialty practice.
- 100 hours of Category I CME in breast ultrasound.
- Performance, interpretation, and reporting of 300 breast ultrasound examinations in the last 36 months in a supervised situation by a board-certified and MQSA-approved radiologist who is experienced in breast ultrasound.
These requirements are in addition to any other qualifications or certifications that may be required for a non-radiologist to practice breast ultrasound, such as certification by the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS). Completing an ACGME-approved residency program and obtaining CME in breast ultrasound can help non-radiologists gain the necessary knowledge and skills to perform and interpret breast ultrasound exams competently and accurately. The requirement to perform a minimum number of breast ultrasound exams under the supervision of an experienced radiologist is intended to ensure that non-radiologists have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the use of breast ultrasound before being accredited to perform the exams independently.
Maintenance of Certification
Both ACR and ASBrS maintenance of certification require 15 Category CME credits in ultrasound to be performed within the last 18 months before re-certification. Failure to provide these at time of facility inspections can result in the loss of accreditation for that facility.
Need fast, useful CME for breast ultrasound? Tethys AI is an excellent resource for non-radiologist physicians and breast surgeons seeking to meet the initial certification and maintenance of certification requirements for breast ultrasound and ultrasound-guided breast biopsies. Tethys AI offers a range of educational programs and training materials that can help non-radiologist physicians and breast surgeons gain the knowledge and skills needed to perform and interpret breast ultrasound exams competently and accurately.