Board Eligibility Policy
2020;13(1):8
The ABR board recently made updates to the board eligibility policy for candidates for our subspecialty certificates.
The biggest change impacts the period during which the ABR grants board eligible status. Candidates now have until December 31 of the sixth full calendar year after the completion of their training to become certified.
Termination dates for board eligibility status are listed below. Because some candidates have completed training and continued in the examination process under various previously announced policies, a transitional phase-in period is reflected where appropriate.
Board Eligibility Statuses
Candidates who have an approved registration with the ABR for purposes of certification are considered “enrolled, not yet eligible for certification.” After the requirements for board eligibility are met, the candidate is recognized as board eligible. If a candidate fails to achieve certification by the end of the board eligibility period, that individual is recognized as “not certified, not board eligible” indefinitely until such a time that the status changes.
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DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY (DR) |
Six full calendar years from completion of an ACGME- or RCPSC-accredited training program. |
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RADIATION ONCOLOGY (RO) |
Six full calendar years from completion of an ACGME- or RCPSC-accredited training program. |
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INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY (IR) |
1. INTEGRATED TRAINING: Six full calendar years from completion of training |
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2. INDEPENDENT RESIDENCY: Six full calendar years from completion of a two-year IR Residency. |
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3. TRADITIONAL (VIR FELLOWSHIP): Six years or until 2024 depending on training completion; whichever comes first. |
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4. TRANSITIONAL (VIR POST TRAINING): Six years for training completed in 2019 or later; 12/31/2024 for training completed in 2018 or earlier. |
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SUBSPECIALTIES |
Six years for training completed in 2019 or later; 12/31/2024 for training completed in 2018 or earlier. |
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MEDICAL PHYSICS (MP) |
1. Six full calendar years from completion of a CAMPEP-accredited residency program. |
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2. Six full calendar years from approval for Part 2. |
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INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL SCHOOL GRADUATES (IMGs) |
Six full calendar years after completion of the training period outlined in the Sponsoring Department Agreement. |
Candidates failing to successfully complete the initial certification process within the board eligibility time period are no longer considered by the ABR to be board eligible, are no longer permitted to designate themselves as such for communications or credentialing purposes, and will no longer be reported as board eligible on the ABMS website, on ABR websites, or in verification letters.
For more information on the policy, including ways to return to board eligible status, additional training year details, and general and discipline-specific requirements for the training year, please visit the ABR website.
Last Chance for Some VIR Fellows to Become Certified
2020;13(1):9
An important deadline is approaching for candidates who finished their vascular interventional radiology fellowships prior to 2010 and are not yet certified.
The application period for anyone wanting to take the October 2020 IR certification exam runs through February 28. This will be the last opportunity for those VIR fellowship candidates to take the Certifying Exam. Anyone who has already applied for the exam need not do so again.
More on the exam can be found here. Our certification services team is available at information@theabr.org or (520) 790-2900.
