ABR Board Certification
Last verified on December 18, 2023
Why Board Certification Matters
Board certification serves as an important marker for the highest standard of care. It reflects the critical core values of compassion, patient-centeredness, and a passion for education. Patients, physicians, medical physicists, healthcare providers, insurers, and quality organizations look for board certification as the best measure of a practitioner’s (physician’s or medical physicist’s) knowledge, experience, and skills to provide quality care within a given specialty.
Initial Certification
The ABR conducts initial qualifying and certifying exams to ascertain the qualification of those who have completed training in the specialties of radiology, as well as several subspecialty areas (see
Radiology Specialties). Following initial certification, radiologists and medical physicists are called “diplomates of the ABR.”
Continuing Certification (MOC)
Continuing Certification (MOC) is an integral part of the quality movement in healthcare. Participation in Continuing Certification (MOC) demonstrates support for continuous quality improvement, self-assessment and professional development, and quality patient care. As clinical applications, technologies, and methodologies continue to expand and develop, lifelong learning is critical to ensure that new information is incorporated into routine clinical practice.
Continuing Certification (MOC) is for ABR-certified diplomates who are required to participate to maintain certification, or for lifetime certificate holders who voluntarily enroll to participate. All ABR volunteers, including governors and trustees, participate in Continuing Certification (MOC).
More information can be found on the
American Board of Medical Specialties website.