From the President: Stakeholders Share How Much They Value Board Certification
By ABR President Cheri L. Canon, MD
February 2026;19(1):2
One of the goals of achieving expertise in a medical specialty is board certification. Certification represents a recognition of significant achievement, established through standardized training and testing, that distinguishes practitioners as possessing the knowledge and skill to practice independently, effectively, and safely in service to patients. The length, breadth, and depth of training, combined with corresponding exams, is defined by experienced professionals in the field. Certification is intended to be of value to those holding the credential, because it provides a valid indicator of competence in the field to the public (including payers, employers, hospitals, and, most importantly, patients).
We recently interviewed several ABR volunteers and other diplomates across the four disciplines we certify (diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology, medical physics, and radiation oncology) who offered their perspectives on the value of certification. We are very grateful for their willingness to share their thoughts.
