NRC Compliance
Last verified on April 20, 2022
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AMP- and RSO-Eligible Designations Discontinued
In March 2022, the ABR informed the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) of the Board’s intent to discontinue including Authorized Medical Physicist-Eligible (AMP-Eligible) and Radiation Safety Officer-Eligible (RSO-Eligible) designations on ABR certificates issued after December 31, 2023. To allow time for our candidates to adjust, the ABR announced this change more than 18 months in advance. For residents anticipating board certification by December 31, 2023, no changes are needed in record-keeping or document submission to the ABR. Please review the Frequently Asked Questions for additional information on this transition. You can also view a recording of our March 30, 2022 informational webinar regarding the changes to the AU-E designation.NRC Compliance
NRC Recognized Status for Radiation Safety Officer and Authorized Medical Physicist In June 2006, the United State Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) granted recognized status for specific certifications in medical physics. These include:- Diagnostic medical physics (DMP) and nuclear medical physics (NMP) under 10 CFR § – training for radiation safety officer (RSO), and
- Therapeutic medical physics (TMP) under 10 CFR § 35.51 – training for an authorized medical physicist (AMP).
- International candidates holding only non-United States (U.S.) degrees must provide documentation that their foreign degrees are equivalent to those granted from an approved institution in the U.S. and that the granting institution is equivalent to a regionally accredited institution included on the U.S. ABR-approved Credentials Evaluation Organizations list.
- To qualify for NRC-recognized status as eligible to be an RSO or AMP, at least two years of that clinical experience must have been under the supervision of an ABR medical physics diplomate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the ABR decided to stop issuing AMP-Eligible and RSO-Eligible designations?- It is outside the defined focus of the ABR’s mission.
- It diverts resources from fundamental objectives (e.g., refinement of remote exams, high reliability customer service).
- A direct pathway exists with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and Agreement States. (An Agreement State has signed an agreement with the NRC authorizing the State to regulate certain uses of radioactive materials within the State).
- An individual may be an AMP or RSO without being board certified. Conversely, an individual may be board certified without being an AMP or RSO.