Initial Certification for Medical Physics

Conditions and Reapplications

Last verified on December 17, 2023
 

Computer-based Exams

Candidates who have taken both the general and clinical sections of the Part 1 Exam and passed only one of them must pass the other section before they can become eligible for the Part 2 Exam.
Candidates cannot condition the Part 2 Exam. Those who do not pass must retake the exam.
 

Oral Exam

If a candidate fails one category (of the five categories on the Part 3 Oral Exam), he or she will have “conditioned” the exam and must retake the failed category. The time and place of the conditioned exam will be outlined in the “next steps” communication from the ABR. The candidate will be examined by two examiners in the conditioned category. The two exam periods are about 30 minutes long, and each examiner will usually ask five questions. Thus, the candidate will answer 10 questions in the category in which he or she conditioned.
The questions asked will be similar to those on the original exam, and the scoring criteria are also the same. A candidate must receive passing scores from both examiners to remove the condition. If the condition is removed, the candidate will be board certified. If the candidate does not remove the condition, he or she will remain in the conditioned status and can continue to take the conditioned exam until his or her board eligibility status expires.
 

Reapplications

The ABR has replaced the three “opportunities” for exam participation per application with time limits for attaining initial certification. This gives candidates more flexibility in managing their exam process.
For more information on the requirements to re-enter the certification process, please see the applicable policies, located here: