Practice accreditation for radiation oncology: quality is reality.

The Radiation Oncology Practice Accreditation Program of the ACR is a voluntary program that was established in 1986. The processes of application and review are described. The most common causes of the deferral of accreditation are listed, as well as resources to help in preparing for an accreditation application. The costs of the survey and accreditation process are comparable with those of other accreditation programs outside of radiation oncology and the one competing radiation oncology accreditation program. The potential benefits of the program, financial and nonfinancial, are discussed, including the benefits to the specialty and to our patients. Possible integration with other programs, such as the pay-for-performance initiative and the maintenance of certification, are considered.