VIR Fellowship
Option One:1
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Take the DR Certifying Exam in the fall immediately following completion of fellowship.
- If passed, candidate is awarded DR certification.
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Take the IR/DR Certifying Exam (oral component only) in the fall of the next year after completion of fellowship.
- If passed, candidate is awarded IR/DR certification
Option Two:1
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Wait until fall of the next year after completion of fellowship and take the IR/DR Certifying Exam (computer-based component and oral component) in Tucson.
- If passed, candidate is awarded IR/DR certification.
SIR ECS Questions and Scenarios with ABR Responses: 12/31/2020
Certification Application and Exam Registration
- What is a certification application?
An application is a request from a candidate seeking initial certification in IR/DR.
- Who needs to submit a certification application?
Only candidates completing a VIR fellowship need to submit an application. Candidates completing an Integrated or Independent IR residency do not need to apply. However, they do need to register for an exam when they become eligible to take one.
- When do I submit my application for an IR/DR certificate?
You can submit an application as soon as November 1 of the year you complete your VIR fellowship. The application process begins on November 1 each year and ends on February 28. Please visit the ABR website for additional information regarding the application process and requirements. You only need to submit one application for an IR/DR certificate.
- What documentation is required to submit the certification application?
Please visit the requirements and application process page for additional information about required documentation.
- What is exam registration?
Registration is the process for securing a date and time for a specific exam administration.
- Who needs to complete exam registration?
All candidates who wish to take a specific exam must complete the registration process.
- What is required to register for an exam?
Please refer to the IR exam calendar for details on exam and registration dates. If you have not applied, you need to complete the certification application process, which begins on November 1 and ends on February 28.
- When does exam registration open?
Please refer to the IR exam calendar for details on exam dates and corresponding registration dates.
- How long is exam registration open?
Registration is generally open for about six weeks. Please remember, you must submit an application and that application must be approved before you can register for an exam.
- What should I do if I do not receive an email for exam registration?
Contact an ABR certification manager at information@theabr.org or (520) 790-2900.
- What if I missed the exam registration date?
Contact an ABR certification manager at information@theabr.org or (520) 790-2900.
- When is the last exam registration date?
There is a defined registration period for each exam. Please refer to the IR exam calendar for details on exam dates and corresponding registration dates.
Exam Logistics: Planning for Days Off to Take the Exam
- At this time, which exam dates are planned to be in-person and which are planned to be remote?
There are no planned in-person exams at this time. All exams are planned for remote delivery. Please refer to the IR exam calendar for details on exam dates and corresponding registration dates.
- For the computer-based certifying exam, how long is the exam, and at what time of day will it be held?
Information about the exam day schedule is located on the exam breakdown and timing page of the ABR website.
- How long is my IR/DR Certifying Oral Exam?
The entire exam event runs for three days. However, an individual’s exam event is about three hours on a single day. Details about the oral exam schedule are located on the exam breakdown and timing page of the ABR website.
- What time of day is the IR/DR Certifying Oral Exam, and what time on the last day will it be completed?
There are two exam sessions each day. The first daily session begins at 10 am Eastern and the second begins at 1:10 pm Eastern. The last exam period ends at 4:10 pm Eastern each day.
- Is there any other specific information regarding the testing format itself for the remote delivery (i.e., proctoring, location to take exam, number of monitors, screen resolution, computer operating system needed for exam)?
The Remote Exam Basics guide can help prepare candidates for the new oral and computer-based exam experiences. Included in the guide is important information such as where exams may be taken, computer requirements, and what is and is not allowed on exam day. To complement the Remote Exam Basics guide, a comprehensive exam guide will be emailed to candidates well in advance of their exam days.
- What if my computer is on hospital network and encrypted?
A practice exam and technical self-check will be available for the computer-based exam once you have registered. The practice exam and technical self-check will allow you to test the computer and location you would like to use for the computer-based component of the exam to ensure it works as you desire. You will complete an additional computer technical check with an ABR navigator several weeks prior to your oral exam as well.
- What if I fail the exam?
Candidates who do not pass the exam may retake it at the next available administration as long as they remain board eligible. More details about board eligibility can be found here.
Scenario 1
Graduated traditional VIR fellowship in June 2019.
Planned to forgo taking the DR Certifying Exam in October 2019 and instead take the IR/DR Certifying Exam computer-based and oral components in October 2020.
COVID prevented taking the exam:
- Do I take the IR/DR Certifying exam (computer-based and oral) separately?
Yes. Regardless of the specific scenario, beginning in 2021 the IR/DR Certifying Exam computer-based and oral components are delivered at different times. Please refer to the IR exam calendar for details on exam and registration dates.
- Would I be taking the IR/DR Certifying Computer-based Exam on April 5, 2021?
Yes. You are eligible for that exam but must submit an application prior to taking it. If you have already applied, you do not need to reapply, but you do need to register when registration opens in January 2021. If you have not applied, you need to complete the exam application process, which Please visit the ABR website for additional information regarding the requirements and application process. You only need to submit one application for both components (computer-based and oral) of the IR/DR Certifying Exam.
- Would I be taking the IR/DR Certifying Oral Exam on May 12-14, 2021?
Yes. You are eligible for that exam but must submit an application prior to taking it. If you have already applied, you do not need to reapply, but you do need to register when registration opens in January 2021. If you have not applied, then you need to complete the exam application process, visit the ABR website for additional information regarding the requirements and application process. You only need to submit one application for both components (computer-based and oral) of the IR/DR Certifying Exam.
- Do I have to register for each exam component (computer-based and oral) separately?
No. You will be able to register for both the computer-based and oral components of the IR/DR Certifying Exam at the same time.
- Do I need to redo the case logs (fellowship and practice logs) that I’ve already submitted?
No. If your initial application to take the IR/DR Certifying Exam was already approved, you do not need to redo your fellowship and practice logs.
Scenario 2
Graduated traditional VIR fellowship in June 2018.
Took the DR Certifying Exam in October 2018 and passed (now DR certified).
Took the IR/DR Certifying Oral Exam in October 2019 and failed.
COVID prevented retaking of the IR/DR Certifying Oral Exam in October 2020:
- Do I retake the IR/DR Oral Certifying Exam on May 12-14, 2021?
Yes. You are eligible to take the May IR/DR Certifying Oral Exam. You need to register in January when registration opens.
- Do I have to re-register for the IR/DR Certifying Oral Exam; I registered prior to COVID and was planning on taking it in October 2020?
Yes. You need to complete the registration process when it opens in January.
- Do I have to redo the case logs (fellowship and practice logs) that I’ve already submitted?
No. If your initial application to take the IR/DR Certifying Exam was approved, you do not need to redo your fellowship and practice logs.
Scenario 3
Graduated traditional VIR fellowship in June 2020.
Planned on taking the DR Certifying Exam in October 2020.
COVID prevented taking the exam:
- Can I take the DR Certifying Exam on April 5, 2021?
Yes. You are eligible for this exam and will receive an invitation to register for the exam in January. If you take and pass the DR Certifying Exam, you only need to take and pass the oral component of the IR/DR Certifying Exam to become IR/DR certified.
- Can I take the IR/DR Certifying Computer-based Exam on April 5, 2021?
No. Your first eligible exam would be the IR/DR Certifying Computer-based Exam on September 1, 2021, as you must have one year of practice experience before taking the IR/DR Certifying Exam. You need to complete the se visit the ABR website for additional information regarding the requirements and application process. You only need to submit one application for both components (computer-based and oral) of the IR/DR Certifying Exam.
- Can I take the IR/DR Certifying Oral Exam on May 12-14, 2021?
No. Your first eligible exam would be the IR/DR Certifying Oral Exam on October 17-20, 2021. You need to ease visit the ABR website for additional information regarding the requirements and application process. You only need to submit one application for both components (computer-based and oral) of the IR/DR Certifying Exam.
- Can I take the IR/DR Certifying Oral Exam on October 17-20, 2021?
Yes. You need to complete the exam application process, which started on November 1 and ends on February 28, 2021. Please visit the ABR website for additional information regarding the requirements and application process. You only need to submit one application for both components (computer-based and oral) of the IR/DR Certifying Exam.
Scenario 4
Graduated Integrated IR residency in June 2020
Planned on taking the IR/DR Certifying Exam in October 2020.
COVID prevented taking the exam:
- Can I take the IR/DR Certifying Exam in April 2021 (computer-based component) and May 2021 (oral component)?
Yes. You were eligible for the October 2020 IR/DR Certifying Exam (computer-based and oral), but since that exam was canceled due to COVID, you are now eligible to take the IR/DR Certifying Computer-based Exam on April 5, 2021, and the IR/DR Certifying Oral Exam on May 12-14. You need to register in January when registration opens.
