Requirements

 

Initial Certification Requirements

To achieve subspecialty certification in pain medicine, candidates from the American Board of Radiology must fulfill all of the following requirements:

• Possession of a valid, unrestricted, and unchallenged license to practice medicine
• Valid and current certification by the ABR in diagnostic radiology, radiation oncology or interventional/diagnostic radiology
• Successful performance on the initial certification pain medicine exam. This computer-based exam is administered through the American Board of Anesthesiology, but results are communicated through the ABR, and the certificate will be administered from the ABR. There is no oral exam component.
• Subspecialty level training: completion of an ACGME-accredited Pain Medicine Fellowship after primary board (ABR) certification. Diplomates who successfully completed their training before 2019 will have 10 calendar years or until December 31, 2024, whichever comes first, to obtain certification. Those who complete their training in 2019 or later will have six calendar years.
• Before submitting a subspecialty exam application, a diplomate must have paid any outstanding ABR fees in full.

 

Initial Certification Exam

The Pain Medicine Subspecialty Certification Exam is a comprehensive, half-day, computer-based exam of 200 multiple-choice questions. The exam assesses the candidate's knowledge and clinical judgment required to perform at a high level of competence in aspects of pain medicine. The ABR is a co-sponsoring board for the Subspecialty Certification Exam in Pain Medicine, which is administered by the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA). Please visit the Pain Medicine Exam page on the ABA website for exam preparation resources (i.e., content outline, exam blueprint, sample questions, and exam tutorial).  

Exam Registration and Application

The Pain Medicine Subspecialty Certification Exam is administered via computer and is offered annually. More information is located on the Dates, Locations, and Fees page. Applications are accepted yearly from December 1 through March 31. The application form is available here. After processing your application, a member of the ABR staff will email you when the application fee is available for payment via myABR.

Before you begin the application:

• You must log in to myABR and complete your annual attestations and submit payment for any outstanding fees.
• You will need a copy of your Pain Medicine fellowship certificate, or an official letter (on letterhead) from your program director, documenting your fellowship training, including dates.

 

Recognition and MOC

Recognition of Successful Diplomates

Successful ABR diplomates are awarded a continuous ABR subspecialty certificate in pain medicine.

Continuing Certification (MOC)

Continuous subspecialty certification in pain medicine is contingent upon meeting the requirements of the ABR’s Continuing Certification (MOC) program. For Continuing Certification (MOC) program details, please see the Continuing Certification page.