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Initial Certification > Nuclear Radiology


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Initial certification information is for candidates who are certified in diagnostic radiology, but who have not yet been certified in nuclear radiology.

The Certificate

The American Board of Radiology conducts cmputer-based examinations to ascertain the qualification of diagnostic radiologists who have studied nuclear radiology. A board-certified nuclear radiologist is one who has demonstrated knowledge, problem-solving, and application of those skills to a degree worthy of the public's and the profession's trust. This is someone deemed capable of working in various sectors of the field safely and effectively.

There are several reasons that certification is important:

  • Prospective employers want to know your credentials. Having ABR certification assures them that you have met certain performance standards.
  • Many patients seek background on their caregivers. Once again, ABR certification declares to them that you have achieved a prescribed level of excellence in your profession.

Your certificate is valid contingent upon meeting the requirements of Maintenance of Certification (MOC).

Throughout the period for which you hold certification, you are expected to continue learning and improving your skills in a personalized program (see MOC Participation Guidelines) that will be evaluated annually on a rolling three-year window. One of the requirements to maintain certification is successful completion of the cognitive (MOC Part 3) examination, which you must pass before the end of your tenth year from your previous “passed” examination. This will be a practice-profiled, case-based, multiple-choice computer examination. The examination is different from the current  initial examination for subspecialty certification. Your certification status and MOC status will be publicly reported on our website, as well as on the official public reporting website of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), www.certificationmatters.org, which shows interested parties that you are keeping up with the latest developments in your field and can thereby render high-quality service.

Please note that you may fulfill the MOC requirements to maintain your certifications in both diagnostic radiology and nuclear radiology with a single MOC program. Two separate MOC efforts are not necessary.

 

16-Month Residency Pathway to Nuclear Radiology Subspecialty Certification (within a 48-month Diagnostic Radiology Residency)

The ABR has approved conditions and requirements for a new pathway leading to eligibility for both diagnostic radiology primary certification and nuclear radiology subspecialty certification. Residents who complete 16 months of nuclear medicine within a four-year ACGME-accredited radiology program are eligible for this new pathway.

THE PATHWAY REQUIREMENTS

  • Sixteen months of nuclear medicine within a 48-month radiology residency.
  • Ten of these months must be consecutive to preserve clinical care and learning continuity mimicking the experience of traditional fellowship pathways.
  • Up to two months of nuclear medicine training in the clinical year (PGY) may count toward the 16-month requirement, if obtained in an institution with an ACGME-accredited diagnostic radiology residency and with an ACGME-accredited nuclear radiology fellowship or ACGME-accredited nuclear medicine residency.
  • The sponsoring diagnostic radiology residency program must be in an institution with either an ACGME?accredited nuclear radiology fellowship or an ACGME-accredited nuclear medicine residency program.
  • The program must fulfill the ABR requirements for NRC training and experience, leading to an authorized user (AU)-eligible diagnostic radiology certificate.

DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY and NUCLEAR RADIOLOGY CERTIFICATIONS

Trainees completing such a program will be admitted to the ABR certifying examination at 15 months post residency. After certification in diagnostic radiology, the DR diplomate may take the nuclear radiology subspecialty examination (CAQ) at the earliest opportunity. No additional interval clinical experience is required.