Accreditation standards for Qualification Providers

Purpose of accreditation

Accreditation is a status granted by the Board to medical imaging and radiation therapy education programmes that meet their education standards and criteria. Accreditation is about assuring the quality of education and promoting continuous improvement of quality to respond to evolving community needs, professional practice and ensuring the health and safety of the public.

Obtaining accreditation

A provider planning to develop a new qualification programme, or to enrol students in a new programme, must contact the Board’s Registrar at least 12-months before commencement of the new programme.

For each new accreditation, the education provider is required to submit:

• A report in conjunction with the Board’s five categories of accreditation
• Supporting documentation

If a site visit is required, a Board-approved panel (including members of the profession) will arrange a time to view your facilities and interview key staff and students as part of the accreditation process.

Ongoing monitoring

Following initial accreditation, a qualification programme will be subject to an ongoing monitoring schedule. Monitoring allows for early intervention by the Board if concerns are raised about an accredited qualification. It maximises the likelihood that students/trainees enrolled in the programme can complete their studies and graduate with a qualification recognised by the Board for registration under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003. For a new programme offered by a tertiary education provider, the initial accreditation period will allow for the rollover of one cohort of students (i.e. 3 or 4 years depending on the duration of the degree). Renewal of accreditation will be subject to a further full evaluation inclusive of a site visit.

For existing programmes, the Board does not accredit a qualification programme for a set period, however, an accredited provider is subject to an ongoing monitoring programme. A programme remains accredited only if the Board is satisfied that both the programme and the qualification provider meet the accreditation standards. If during the monitoring process, it is found that the standards are no longer being met, the Board may impose conditions or revoke the accreditation of a programme.

Current accredited programmes

Medical Imaging Technologist

• Bachelor of Medical Imaging - Ara Institute of Canterbury
• Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Imaging Technology) - Universal College of Learning (UCOL)
• Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging) - Unitec Institute of Technology
• Bachelor of Medical Imaging (Honours) – the University of Auckland
• Bachelor of Medical Imaging Science - Fiji National University (This programme was accredited in 2023. Accreditation does not apply retrospectively, therefore, if you graduated prior to 2023, you must apply for registration through the internationally-qualified pathway).

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist

• Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - the University of Auckland

Nuclear Medicine Technologist

• Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences in Nuclear Medicine - the University of Auckland

Radiation Therapist

• Bachelor of Radiation Therapy - the University of Otago

Sonographer

• Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences in Ultrasound - the University of Auckland