The American Board of Radiology has a history of ensuring excellence in the professionals who practice in our field. As the applications, technologies, and methodologies of radiology continue to expand and develop, we understand that lifelong learning is critical to ensure that new information and knowledge are incorporated into clinical practice. We are therefore looking forward with vision. 

Our maintenance of certification process (ABR-MOC) is designed to facilitate and document the professional development of each diplomate through its focus on the essential elements of quality care. The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and the American Board of Radiology (ABR), as a member board, have initiated this process. Over the next ten years, ABR-MOC will continue to develop into a comprehensive vehicle through which all diplomates can ensure the public and the radiologic community that they are incorporating new information into their practices, thereby delivering excellence in care.

With that in mind, we recommend that all diplomates participate in the ABR-MOC program. Those with time-limited certificates are automatically enrolled in the process, though they must initiate their activity. Those with lifetime certificates should consider ABR-MOC as an investment that will ensure continuing education, instill confidence, and promote the best interests of the patient. All diplomates should keep the ABR apprised of any change in contact information or licensure.

The ABR believes in the value of maintenance of certification.
All current ABR Trustees participate in ABR-MOC, as will all future trustees.

   Here's how it works:

Please see the MOC Participation Policy for detailed guidelines used to evaluate acceptable participation.

Part One: Professional Standing:

Professional standing will be evaluated through:

Documentation of a valid, unrestricted license to practice medical physics in a state requiring licensure of medical physicists; or, if not licensed,

Diplomates will need to have letters of attestation from a certified medical physicist and an ABR-certified radiologist or radiation oncologist submitted on their behalf during the 6th year of their 10-year certificate cycle. The requested statements will attest to the diplomate's active involvement in the discipline of radiologic physics with specific focus on the six areas of competency: practice knowledge, patient care, interpersonal/communication skills, professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice. Forms to provide guidance and to assist in the attestation process are under development and will be posted on our website when completed.

Part Two: Lifelong Learning (LL) and Self-assessment (SA)

Lifelong Learning:

Diplomates should begin to attain approved continuing education (CE) credits (category 1 equivalent) in 2006. CE credits are awarded for educational functions approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (CAMPEP) or other recognized accrediting organizations (ACCME).

A minimum of two hundred and fifty (250) continuing education (CE) credits are required over the 10 year cycle. This is an average of 25 credits per year, starting in 2006 (please refer to Radiologic Physics Timelines and Fees for clarification if your MOC cycle started prior to 2006). A maximum of 50 CE credits may be claimed in any calendar year.

The CE credit requirement may be satisfied by taking Category 1 credits (CAMPEP, ACCME), or by taking a combination of Category 1 credits and self-directed educational projects (SDEPs). A maximum of one SDEP may be recorded yearly (not exceeding 15 of the required CE credits per year).

SDEPs: Fifteen (15) CE credits are given for each completed SDEP. Samples are provided under SDEP Examples. The approach to each project is prospective and must be defined in advance. The components of the SDEP include:

• Significance: A statement of the educational need
• Approach: A list of activities designated to address the need
• Evaluation of achievement
• Impact on Practice: Outcome statement

Self-assessment:

Self-assessment is accomplished through a series of Self-Assessment Modules (SAMs). Twenty (20) SAMs are required for completion over the ten-year cycle. This is an average of two per year, starting in 2007. In any calendar year, a maximum of 4 SAM credits may be claimed. The SAMs carry Category 1 CME credit, as well as SAM credit. For MOC cycles starting before 2006, please click here to view the prorated requirements.

To count toward MOC, SAMs must be ABR-qualified. SAMs are for the purpose of individual self-assessment and directing further lifelong learning activities, and must include instructional content relevant to practice in one of the following categories of radiologic physics: general, clinical, therapeutic, diagnostic, or medical nuclear.

SAMs are developed by radiologic physics-related societies and other qualified organizations. Each SAM includes at least five multiple-choice questions. Feedback to the diplomate consists of correct answers, evaluation of performance in the participating group, and relevant references and discussion. There is no passing score requirement.

Individual scores are not entered into the ABR database, but remain confidential to the diplomate. The diplomate is responsible for documenting successful completion of the SAMs during the ten-year period and for validating and recording self-assessment activity data through the Personal Data Base (PDB).

Self attested data are subject to random audits.

Diplomates holding multiple Radiologic Physics certificates:

The Lifelong Learning and Self-assessment requirements are the same for all diplomates, regardless of the number of certificates held. Within the overall requirement of 250 lifelong learning credits and 20 self-assessment modules, holders of multiple time-limited radiologic physics certificates must meet minimum requirements for each certificate:

• Category 1 credits: of the 250 total credits over 10 years, a minimum of 50 credits must be relevant to each area of certification. For cycles lasting less than 10 years, 20% of the credits must be relevant to each area of certification
• SAMs: of the total 20 SAMs required over 10 years, 4 SAMs must be relevant to each area of certification. For cycles lasting less than 10 years, 20% of the SAMs must be relevant to each area of certification.

Part Three: Cognitive Expertise

Diplomates are expected to maintain the essentials of core knowledge fundamental to the practice of radiologic physics, and to remain up-to-date on evolving technologies, protocols, procedures and techniques involving applications of physics in medicine. Fulfillment of these expectations will be evaluated by a proctored, timed, closed-book examination that is required once for each diplomate during the ten-year period.

You will take one (1) exam during your 10-year MOC cycle, to be scheduled during the 8th, 9th or 10th year. Specific details about the cognitive exam include the following:

• Proctored, secure, administered in a nationally-recognized computer testing center.
• New exams will be offered once each year.
• Multiple-choice format covering core knowledge (approximately 30%) and current evolving technologies (approximately 70%).
• If you fail an exam, you will have the opportunity to take the examination offered in the next year.
• Multiple certificate holders must complete the exam for each of the disciplines for which they hold certificates.
• The exam will become available to diplomates in 2010.

Part Four: Practice Quality Improvement (PQI)

All Radiologic Physics diplomates must be trained in the process and procedures of quality improvement as they affect an individual's practice of Radiologic Physics. Training courses will be presented at national meetings and will be available in virtual libraries. This training must be documented in the first year of the cycle.

The individual diplomate is required to participate continuously in PQI over the 10 year MOC cycle. After receiving training in the first year, diplomates must initiate a PQI program. The diplomate will engage in at least one PQI project over the rest of the cycle. Projects can be developed by individuals, group practices, hospital or institutionally-based, or by societies. The five areas for PQI project choices are:

1. Safety for patients, employees and the public
2. Accuracy of analyses and calculations
3. Report turnaround time and communication issues
4. Practice guidelines and technical standards
5. Surveys

Example PQI projects for each of the 3 disciplines can be found by clicking the links below.
- Diagnostic Radiologic Physicists
- Radiation Therapy Physicists
- Medical Nuclear Physicists

The ABR will review and qualify national programs developed by professional societies for fulfillment of the criteria of Part IV. In addition, diplomates can formulate and execute specific PQI projects of their own design that would satisfy the PQI requirements in achieving continuous quality improvement within the individual practice. RP PQI Whitepaper. Individually designed projects will be subject to random audits.

The table below highlights the requirements of PQI for all radiologic physics certificate holders. Each diplomate will attest to participation in a quality improvement project yearly in his/her online personal database.