Get Certified in Medical Physics (MP)

Medical physicists apply physics principles to medicine, often specializing in diagnostic imaging, nuclear medicine, or radiation therapy.

The MP certification process ensures you have the knowledge and skills to provide high-quality patient care. You’ll need to meet specific education, training, and exam requirements to be eligible for certification.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Part 1 Exam Eligibility

To take the Medical Physics Part 1 Qualifying Exam you must meet at least one of these criteria:

• Be enrolled and in good standing in a CAMPEP-accredited graduate, certificate, or doctor of medical physics (DMP) program. Your program director must confirm you’ll finish the required coursework before the exam.
  • If enrolled in a CAMPEP-accredited certificate program, you must have completed a PhD by the time you register for the exam.
• Have graduated from a CAMPEP-accredited program (graduate, certificate, or DMP).
• Be enrolled in or have completed a CAMPEP-accredited residency.
• Be enrolled in an ABR-approved Structured Mentorship program.

Non-U.S./Canadian degrees:
If all your degrees are from outside the U.S. or Canada and you’re enrolled in (or have completed) a CAMPEP certificate or residency program, you’ll need a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) credential evaluation sent directly to the ABR. Check NACES.org for a list of member organizations. You will need to request a “general” or “document” review.

Part 1 Eligibility and Reapplying

Once approved to take Part 1, you have five years to pass the exam. After the five years is up, you can reapply following the same steps you took when originally applying, including paying all fees. You’ll get another five years to pass Part 1.

Part 2 Exam and Board Eligibility

You can take the Medical Physics Part 2 Qualifying Exam when:

• You’ve passed Part 1 (both General and Clinical).
• You’ve started residency training within 10 years of passing Part 1.
• You’ve completed a CAMPEP-accredited residency or will have completed one by August 31 of the year you’re taking Part 2. If you’ve completed your residency in a prior year, you’ll need to provide proof of employment as a medical physicist.
• If you are enrolled in a three- or four-year residency program, you must complete the entire program before you are eligible, regardless of how the program is structured.
• You’ll be board eligible in diagnostic and nuclear medical physics if you complete a “2+1” residency (combining both specialties). You may pursue certification in only one specialty at a time. If your program focuses on one specialty during the first 24 months, you may be eligible for the Part 2 exam in this specialty. Once you’re certified in the first specialty and have completed the full 36 months of clinical training, you’ll be eligible for the Part 2 exam in the second specialty.

Board eligibility is the time from when you finish your residency training to when you receive initial board certification. You have six full calendar years from the completion of your residency or Part 2 approval, whichever comes first.

To learn more, read our Board Eligibility Policy.

Part 3 Exam Eligibility

You can take the Medical Physics Part 3 Oral Certifying Exam when:

• You’ve passed Part 1 (both General and Clinical).
• You’ve passed Part 2.

Get Certified in Another Specialty

Medical physicists have two options for pursuing certification in more than one specialty. If you’re enrolled in a CAMPEP-accredited “2+1” residency program, the process for becoming certified in diagnostic medical physics and nuclear medical physics is described above under the Part 2 Exam and Board Eligibility sections.

If you’re already certified in medical physics and want to pursue certification in another specialty, here’s what you need to do:

1. Stay active in Continuing Certification

While getting certified in another specialty, you must actively participate in the Continuing Certification program for your existing medical physics certificate(s) and meet those requirements. That includes demonstrating competency and ethical standards.

2. Complete clinical training in the new specialty

Training must be structured and supervised by an ABR-certified professional in that field. You’ll need to submit a  signed and dated prospective training plan for ABR approval that covers:

• How you’ll complete the one-year training (it can be spread across multiple years).
• Topics, methods, and individuals involved in your training.
• How you’ll meet ABR training standards and develop core competencies.

Your training supervisor or program director must submit a signed attestation confirming completion of your training plan, including the dates of training.

Taking Leave

Personal and family needs are important during residency. We support you in taking leave when you need it.

To learn more, read our Residency Leave Policy.

 

Apply for Certification

You’ll submit two applications for your medical physics certification: one for the Part 1 Exam and one for the Part 2 Exam. Once you’ve confirmed that you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply for each exam during the designated application window.

Part 1 Exam:

You can apply for the Part 1 Exam annually between February 1 and March 30. Please check back here during the application period to access the application.

Part 2 Exam:

You can apply for the Part 2 Exam annually between December 1 and January 31. The application is located here.

You will need the following items scanned and saved to your computer:

• • The CAMPEP-accredited Residency Attestation Form, signed by your program director.
  • If you completed the residency prior to September 1, 2025, you must also provide documentation of current employment as a medical physicist. The letter must be on institution letterhead and include the beginning/ending dates of employment and position title as well as the department name. The letter may be written by the human resources department or your supervisor.

What to expect after you apply for the Part 1 and Part 2 exams:

• Within 30 days, we’ll review your application to ensure everything is complete. If anything is missing, we’ll contact you by email.
• You’ll get an email with instructions to pay the application fee.
• If approved, you’ll receive instructions to pay the exam fee and an exam invitation about two months before the exam, with registration details and next steps.
• If denied, you’ll receive a letter explaining the reason. You’ll have 30 days to submit an appeal and any additional documentation. If we don’t receive your appeal within that window, your application will be canceled, and you’ll need to wait until the following year to reapply.
• If you haven’t heard from us within 90 days of applying, please email information@theabr.org, and we’ll check your status.

Learn more about application and exam fees.

Apply for a Second Specialty

To apply to get certified in another specialty, you may submit an application at any time. You’ll need to complete at least one year of additional training after receiving ABR approval. Once your training is finished, your supervisor will be asked to submit an attestation confirming its completion.

 

Exam Process

Certification exams assess your knowledge, skills, and readiness for independent practice. The MP certification process includes three parts:

• Part 1 Qualifying Exam
• Part 2 Qualifying Exam
• Part 3 Oral Certifying Exam

You must pass Part 1 to be eligible for Part 2, and you must pass Part 2 to be eligible for Part 3. Once you’ve passed all three exams, you’ll be certified.

 

Part 1 Qualifying Exam

The first step in certification is the Part 1 Exam, a computer-based exam with two sections: General and Clinical. Both are based on the expected knowledge of a second-year graduate student.  The sections can be taken in the same or different years.

• General section: Covers core medical physics concepts, consistent with the CAMPEP graduate standards.
• Clinical section: Tests knowledge in anatomy, medical terminology, physiology, radiobiology, ethics, and professionalism.

Exam Format, Timing, and Scoring

Format

This computer-based exam is administered in two sessions on two separate days. The General section takes approximately five hours and the Clinical section takes approximately three hours.

Explore exam formats in more depth in the MP Qualifying Exam Guide, including a breakdown of how many questions are in each section.

Timing

The ABR offers the Part 1 Exam once a year (typically in August).

View upcoming exam dates.

Scoring

The Part 1 Exam is scored using a criterion-referenced scoring method. Your score is based on how well you do compared with a fixed standard — not how everyone else does.

Each section of the Part 1 Qualifying Exam is scored as a whole, and the result is either pass or fail.

• If you don’t meet the standard, you must retake that entire section of the exam.
• You must pass both sections to pass overall. You can retake them separately if you only fail one.

Learn more about exam scoring.

 

Part 2 Qualifying Exam

The Part 2 Exam is also computer-based and focuses on your specialty: Diagnostic Medical Physics, Therapeutic Medical Physics, or Nuclear Medical Physics.

It covers knowledge gained during a CAMPEP-accredited medical physics residency and assesses a broad understanding of the field.

Exam Format, Timing, and Scoring

Format

This computer-based exam takes approximately five hours, delivered in one session. Explore exam formats in more depth in the MP Qualifying Exam Guide, including a breakdown of how many questions are in each section.

Timing

The ABR offers the Part 2 Exam once a year (typically in August).

View upcoming exam dates.

Scoring

The Part 2 exams are scored using a criterion-referenced scoring method. Your score is based on how well you do compared with a fixed standard — not how everyone else does.

The Part 2 exams are scored as a whole, and the result is either pass or fail.

• All categories must be passed together.
• If you don’t meet the standard, you must retake the entire exam.

Learn more about exam scoring.

 

Part 3 Oral Certifying Exam

The final step is the Part 3 Oral Certifying Exam, designed to test your ability to apply medical physics knowledge in a clinical setting. Five experts will examine you, each asking questions from five key categories. The focus is on clinical judgment, communication, and real-world decision-making.

Exam Format, Timing, and Scoring

Format

This remote oral exam takes approximately four hours and is delivered in one session. Explore exam formats in more depth in the Oral Certifying Exam Guide, including a breakdown of how many questions are in each section.

Timing

The ABR typically offers the Part 3 Exam twice a year.

View upcoming exam dates.

Scoring

The Part 3 Oral Exam is scored using a criterion-referenced scoring method.  Your score is based on how well you do compared with a fixed standard — not how everyone else does.

Part 3 Oral Certifying Exam is scored by content category, and the result is pass, conditional pass, or fail.

• If you fail one of the five categories, you’ll receive a conditional pass and only need to retake the portion you did not pass—not the entire exam. Two examiners will re-examine you, asking questions over two 30-minute sessions within the category you failed. If both pass you, the condition will be removed.
• If you fail two or more categories, you’ll need to retake the entire exam.

Learn more about exam scoring.

 

Exam Registration

Once you’re eligible to take an exam, the ABR will send you an email invitation two months before your Part 1 or Part 2 Exam, or five months before your Part 3 Exam. Invitations will include instructions on completing registration in myABR.

To ensure you receive these emails, update your contact information, add @theabr.org to your approved senders list, and keep an eye on your spam folder.

Before registering for an exam, you’ll need to pay all exam fees.

View upcoming exam dates.

 

Exam Preparation

Experienced volunteers from all practice settings create ABR exams. We offer study guides and exam blueprints to help you prepare, but you’ll need to find the study materials that work for you. Keep in mind that materials from other organizations won’t always match the format, scope, or difficulty of ABR exams.

See the study tools and resources section for more information.

To learn more about how exams are created and scored, please see:

• Information for volunteers – how volunteers create exam questions
• Illustrated life cycle of an ABR exam item– a look at the extensive QA process that each question goes through
• Exam scoring and results – how we evaluate your exam

Studying for MP Exams

Not every exam question in the medical physics exams will match the guide exactly, and since each exam has a limited number of questions, you’ll only see a sample of the broader material. Think of the guide as a helpful reference, not a question-by-question preview.

Study Guides and Sample Questions

• Part 1 Exam Study Guide
• Part 2 Exam Study Guide & Sample Questions Diagnostic Content
• Part 2 Exam Study Guide & Sample Questions Nuclear Content
• Part 2 Exam Study Guide & Sample Questions Therapeutic Content
• Constants and Physical Values
• Qualifying Exam Guide
• Part 3 Exam Study Guide Diagnostic Medical Physics
• Part 3 Exam Study Guide Nuclear Medical Physics
• Part 3 Exam Study Guide Therapeutic Medical Physics
• Oral Exam Reenactment Videos
  • Diagnostic Medical Physics
  • Nuclear Medical Physics
  • Therapeutic Medical Physics
• Oral Certifying Exam Guide
• Professionalism & Ethics Content Guide (all parts)

Exam Readiness Checks

After you’ve registered for an upcoming computer-based exam, you’ll receive a link to the Exam Readiness Check. You can also access it by logging in to myABR.

This quick check helps you get comfortable with the exam interface, navigation, and tools before your exam day.

Here’s how it works:

• Do the readiness check exactly like you’ll take the exam – on the same computer and in the same location.
• Once you’ve launched the readiness check, a quick technical verification will check your camera, microphone, internet, and software. Learn more about technical requirements for remote exams.
• You’ll be required to complete an identification check by scanning your ID and taking a selfie.

If you change computers or locations before exam day, we recommend repeating the check to ensure everything works as expected.

Sample Questions

Once you complete the Exam Readiness Check, you’ll get access to a set of sample questions. They’ll help you get familiar with the different question formats you can expect on the exam, such as:

• Multiple-choice – Most questions follow this format.
• Drag and Drop – You’ll have to identify an anatomical site, equipment component, or a region on a graph by clicking on the correct spot in an image.

While taking your exam, you can flag items within sections to go back to if you have time. Once you leave a section, you cannot return to it.

Answer Sheets for Sample Questions

• Medical Physics Part 1 Exam Sample Questions Answer Sheet
• Medical Physics DMP Part 2 Exam Sample Questions Answer Sheet
• Medical Physics NMP Part 2 Exam Sample Questions Answer Sheet
• Medical Physics TMP Part 2 Exam Sample Questions Answer Sheet

Using Calculators in Exams

The ABR provides an embedded calculator within the exam interface.

You can also use one of the following Texas Instruments calculators for the MP Parts 1 and 2 Qualifying Exams. No calculator is needed for the Part 3 Oral Certifying Exam.

Important Rules:

• Outside the approved models, no other personal electronic, computing, or calculator devices are allowed in the exam area.
• The approved handheld models can’t have any notes, manually programmed formulas, or additional markings. Unauthorized markings must be covered with solid-colored tape.
• You can use the embedded calculator if you don’t have one of the required handheld calculators.
• On exam day during check-in, you will be required to verify what calculator you are using.

Practicing with the Embedded Calculator:

• The embedded calculator is different from the approved handheld models. To familiarize yourself with it:
  • Use the practice exam link in myABR after registering.
  • If you’re not registered yet, download the Chrome Scientific Calculator extension.

Practice Exercises (for familiarity, not actual exam questions):

Try these to get comfortable with calculator functions:

• Logarithmic functions: Calculate the decay constant of ^99mTc from its half-life of 6.02 hr.
• Trigonometric functions: Find the first spherical Bessel function (sin(x)/x) at 0.25 radians.
• Hyperbolic functions: Solve for y in the equation for the Gateway Arch:

y = 693.9 – 68.8 cosh(0.01x)

when x = 100 ft.

• Exponential decay: Determine the remaining activity of an 86-MBq ^99mTc source after 14.6 hours.
• Memory function & Bateman equations: Calculate the ^99mTc activity in a generator 4 hours after elution, given ⁹⁹Mo decay parameters.

 

Current Scoring Status

Exam results are available in myABR about one month after an exam. You’ll receive an email notification as soon as your results are posted.

While qualifying exams are being scored, a progress bar will appear on this page showing the current phase of the scoring process. Check back regularly after your exam for real-time updates.

Learn more about ABR exam scoring and results.

 

History of Aggregate Exam Results

To help you understand the typical performance of first-time takers on MP exams, we’ve compiled tables showing pass rates from recent qualifying and certifying exams.

Qualifying Exams

Part 1

First-Time Takers Enrolled in a CAMPEP Program

General

Exam Dates1	Percentage Passed	Total First-Time Takers
2015	73	199
2016	64	239
2017	60	219
2019	62	190
20202	58	184
2021	50	94
2022	57	117
20233	64	359
2024	68	275
2025	67	310

¹Numbers from the 2018 exam are not available because of an inconsistency in the test administration.

²Results include December 2020 and April 2021 administrations.

³Results include January 2023 and August 2023 administrations.

Clinical

Exam Dates1	Percentage Passed	Total First-Time Takers
2015	73	199
2016	71	239
2017	64	219
2019	79	190
20202	69	182
2021	64	94
2022	73	117
20233	75	361
2024	71	273
2025	77	308

¹Numbers from the 2018 exam are not available because of an inconsistency in the test administration.

²Results include December 2020 and April 2021 administrations.

³Results include January 2023 and August 2023 administrations.

Part 2

First-Time Takers Enrolled in a CAMPEP Program

Exam Dates1	Percentage Passed	Total First-Time Takers
2015	84	190
2016	83	185
2017	89	202
2019	93	193
20202	83	173
2021	74	152
2022	86	193
2023	73	190
2024	78	178
2025	86	182

¹Numbers from the 2018 exam are not available because of an inconsistency in the test administration.

²Results include December 2020 and April 2021 administrations.

Certifying Exam

Part 3 Oral

First Time-Takers

Year	Percent Passed	Percent Failed	Percent Conditioned	Total First-Time Takers
2018	60	20	20	228
2019	70	22	8	227
2021	63	23	14	364
2022	79	10	11	121
2023	58	26	16	188
2024	67	14	18	146
2025	63	19	18	145