How long must QC records be retained?

An NPC consultant contacted the ACR and learned that the ACR recommends retaining QC records for one year. However NPC cautions the facility to also keep in mind the requirements of other organizations and regulators who may require longer retention times. For example, state inspectors may visit the facility at intervals ranging from 2 to 5 years depending on the type of facility and the state in which it is located. The inspector will want to see the records accumulated between inspections. Also, the FDA and ACR have different requirements for mammography QC record retention: Records must be retained between inspections or until each test has been performed 2 times, whichever is longer. But again, also remember that physicists need to see the records as well, so do not throw out records after your MQSA inspection until the physicist has seen them as well.