Radiation Oncology is that branch of clinical medicine concerned with the causes, prevention, and treatment of cancer and certain nonneoplastic conditions, utilizing ionizing radiation.

Initial certification information is for candidates who have not been certified in radiation oncology.

The Certificate

A certificate will be issued to each candidate who has finished a prescribed and approved period of training and study and has passed computer-based and oral examinations, demonstrating an adequate level of knowledge and ability in radiation oncology in accordance with the definition as stated in the bylaws and rules and regulations of the American Board of Radiology.

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.

As you go through your residency and as you finish, you take examinations that afford you your first certification.

Your certificate is time-limited; it is good for ten years.

Over those ten years, you are expected to continue learning and improving your skills in a personalized program (see MOC information). Then, before the end of the tenth year (any time within the last three years of the cycle), you must take a maintenance of certification (MOC) exam.

When you have completed all that is required for the MOC cycle, you are issued a new certificate which shows interested parties that you are keeping up with the latest developments in your field and can thereby render high-quality service.

A certificate granted by this Board does not of itself confer, or purport to confer, any degree or legal qualifications, privileges, or license to practice radiation oncology.

Time Limitation for Attaining Initial Certification.

Effective January 1, 2012, candidates have specific, pre-determined time limits for remaining eligible to be initially certified by the ABR and to maintain their status as "board eligible." Because a number of current candidates have completed training and continue in the examination process, the new policy will have a transitional phase-in period. In all instances, the phase-in timing will begin at the completion of diagnostic radiology or radiation oncology residency training. For international medical graduates, "end of training" is defined as the end of the four-year period outlined in the Sponsoring Department Agreement.

The termination dates for board eligibility status are listed below.

End of Training Termination of board eligibility

2004 or before: December 31, 2014

2005-2006: 10 years (e.g., 2015 or 2016)

2007-2010: January 1, 2017

2011 and afterward: 6 years from end of training

After the period of eligibility, candidates failing to successfully complete the initial certification process will no longer be considered by the ABR as "board eligible," will no longer be permitted to designate themselves as such for communications or credentialing purposes, and will no longer be reported as such on the ABMS website (www.certificationmatters.org/) or in verification letters.

To return to "board eligible" status, candidates must take an additional year of training in a department with an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited or Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)-accredited diagnostic radiology or radiation oncology residency program. At the end of that year, the department chair must attest to satisfactory completion of the experience. After that documentation is provided to the ABR, the candidate may re-register and re-enter the certification process and will again be required to pass both the qualifying and certifying examinations within a six-year interval.

Questions related to these or other board certification issues can be addressed to Ms. Christina Slater at cslater@theabr.org, icnotification@theabr.org, or by calling (520) 790-2900.

To read the policy, please click here.