News: ABR Moves the Annual Medical Physics Part 1 Qualifying Exam to August, Beginning in 2023
April 2022;15(2):12
After discussions with and feedback from the Society of Directors of Academic Medical Physics Programs (SDAMPP) regarding the timing of the annual Medical Physics Part 1 Qualifying Exam, now given in January, the ABR will move the exam date to August. In 2023, the Part 1 exam will be delivered in January and additionally in August. In subsequent years, it will be offered only in August.
A survey questionnaire regarding this topic was delivered by SDAMPP to 66 medical physics graduate programs, 45 of which responded. Based on the survey results, the SDAMPP board voted unanimously to recommend the August exam date and communicated this to the ABR medical physics trustees in early 2022. The recommendation was forwarded to the Board of Governors, who approved it at the annual winter meeting.
The ABR appreciates the open communication with its stakeholders and strives for transparency in its decisions. Interactions between SDAMPP and the ABR are continuing in an effort to improve graduate training programs’ understanding of the topics and scope of the Part 1 exam. In addition, the ABR will provide exam results to program directors to help identify gaps in candidates’ training and knowledge.
