Prerequisites and Registration

 

Prerequisites

To be eligible to take the Interventional Radiology/Diagnostic Radiology Certifying Exam, candidates who are not already certified in diagnostic radiology must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Be current with all ABR fees and pay all exam fees before exam registration
• Hold an active state or provincial (Canadian) medical license
• Be board eligible
• Have an active application with the ABR
• Successfully complete an IR residency
• Pass the Qualifying (Core) Exam
• Meet the minimum waiting period after training
  • The computer-based component of the exam may be taken at the first opportunity after completion of IR residency. Candidates do not have to pass the computer-based component prior to taking the oral component. However, they do need to pass both components to receive an IR/DR Certifying Exam pass result.
  • Beginning with the residency class graduating in June 2024, candidates will be required to wait until the calendar year following completion of IR residency to take the oral component.

Candidates already certified in diagnostic radiology will take only the oral component of the IR/DR Certifying Exam. They must meet the following requirements:

• Be current with all ABR fees and pay all exam fees before exam registration
• Hold an active state or provincial (Canadian) medical license
• Be board eligible
• Have an active application with the ABR
• Successfully complete an IR residency
• Meet the minimum waiting period after training
  • Beginning with the residency class graduating in June 2024, candidates will be required to wait until the calendar year following completion of IR residency to take the oral component.

 

Registration

This Interventional Radiology section contains information intended only for candidates in an IR residency program. Candidates who have completed a diagnostic radiology residency and are a past, current, or future vascular and interventional fellow, please refer to the Vascular and Interventional Radiology section for information about the requirements for this pathway. Registration for the IR/DR Certifying Exam is only available by invitation. The two certifying exam components (computer-based and oral) are held on separate days and registration for each component is completed separately. Candidates do not have to pass the computer-based component prior to taking the oral component. However, they do need to pass both components to receive an IR/DR Certifying Exam pass result. Computer-based component registration details: Eligible candidates will receive a registration invitation via email three to four months prior to the exam. The email will direct candidates to myABR to complete registration. Oral component registration details: Eligible candidates will receive an exam invitation approximately five months prior to the exam. The invitation will provide instructions and details on how to register for the exam. To ensure they receive the email invitation, candidates should confirm that their contact information is up to date in myABR.