IMG Application Form
Initial Certification > International Medical Grads > DR IMGs
IMG Alternate Pathway - Diagnostic Radiology
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An international medical graduate (IMG) is defined as an individual trained in programs outside the U.S., its territories, or Canada. |
As an IMG, you must demonstrate the following to be considered as a candidate for certification by the American Board of Radiology:
- You have satisfied the training requirements of a non-U.S., non-Canadian country.
- You have documentation verifying your ability to practice radiology independently in your country of training.
- You have had one year of clinical training.
- You have received board certification in your country (if applicable).
- If you have trained in India, beginning January 1, 2012, you must have the following degrees to be eligible for the alternate pathway: M.B.B.S. + D.N.B. and/or M.D. If you have another set of degrees from India, a sponsoring department agreement (SDA) must be received by the ABR by 12/31/2011 in order for you to be eligible for this pathway. After that date, holders of other degrees from India will not be eligible for ABR certification via the alternate pathway.
The board will assess your status relative to ABR policies and alternative pathways toward board certification (see policy) only after receipt of the following documents:
- Current, detailed curriculum vitae with specific dates of all training
- Verification of:
- Medical school training
- One year of clinical training
- Radiology residency training
- Radiology certification (if applicable)
- Radiology training appointment and/or full-time faculty/fellowship appointment in an institution with a diagnostic radilogy training program approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC).
- Alternate pathway candidate agreement for diagnostic radiology certification form
- Payment of $300 administration fee to be included with the completed application form
- Copy of Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certificate or Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC) certificate
- Sponsoring department agreement, including your four-year plan and a letter of support from the department chair (see sponsoring department agreement)
NOTE: The required four years of full-time, continuous residency training or continuous faculty fellowship experience must be completed in one ACGME-/RCPSC-approved program. Credit for research training of up to 12 months will be granted toward diagnostic radiology certification if the research is completed at the same institution as the remaining clinical training.
Your department chair must complete and submit annual verification forms. - Copies of United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Steps 1 - 2 score reports
- USMLE Step 3 is required six months prior to admittance to oral exam.
- Current unrestricted medical license is required before approval to take the qualifying and certifying examinations will be granted.
An IMG must pass both the qualifying and certifying examinations to be certified by the ABR. The rules for conditions and reregistration are the same as for U.S. graduates.
Optional
- In general, candidates seeking ABR certification through the alternate pathway are not able to seek Authorized User (AU) eligibilty through the ABR pathway. However, the ABR will consider exceptions to this policy on a case-by-case basis. If you desire AU eligibility, please submit a letter explaining your plan to meet current NRC training and experience requirements. For more information, please read the NRC regulations section of the website.
- If applicable, you must submit a plan to meet the MQSA Breast Imaging requirements. For more information please read the RRC Breast Imaging requirements section of the website.
All documentation should be mailed to:
American Board of Radiology
5441 East Williams Blvd., Suite 200
Tucson, AZ 85711
Or fax to:
520-790-3200
Attn: IMG Alternate Pathway
