IR/DR Certificate Conversion

On October 15, 2017, the first initial certifying exams in interventional radiology/diagnostic radiology (IR/DR) were administered. On this day, the ABR’s subspecialty certificate in vascular and interventional radiology (VIR) was sunsetted, and it can no longer be maintained. Qualified interventional radiologists were issued a new board certificate that reflects their unique stature as interventional radiologists and their singular role in treating and managing patients through image-guided interventions. Unless a diplomate opted out, this change in certificate status occurred automatically on October 15, 2017. VIR subspecialty certificates can no longer be maintained. The new continuous IR/DR certificate is maintained through meeting Continuing Certification (MOC) requirements related to the IR portion of the certificate ONLY. Diplomates are not required to maintain both DR and IR portions, nor are they charged an additional Continuing Certification (MOC) fee. Other ABR subspecialty certificates–including pediatric radiology, neuroradiology, and nuclear radiology, as well as hospice and palliative medicine and pain medicine–were not affected by this change. Lifetime DR certificate holders who chose to convert to the continuous IR/DR certificate did not lose their lifetime certificate. They could request to drop the IR portion of their certificate at any time, and they were issued a new DR lifetime certificate. The ABR sent a memo credentialers, hospitals, payers, and other stakeholders outlining the changes to IR certification and the impact on existing DR and VIR subspecialty certificates. For more information and to download the memo, go to the Credentialers and Practices page. For answers to additional questions, please see the IR/DR Certificate Conversion FAQs.