Audit Process for Diplomates

The American Board of Radiology (ABR) conducts routine audits to ensure that board-certified diplomates continue to meet the high standards set by our Continuing Certification program.

Audits are a normal part of certification. They allow us to verify that required activities — specifically Part 2 (Lifelong Learning) and Part 4 (Improvement in Medical Practice) — are being completed as reported. They also help us maintain the credibility and integrity of certification for the public, our profession, and our diplomates.

Reason for Audits

There are several reasons you might be selected for an audit, including:

• Random selection: If you’re maintaining your certification through the ABR, you’re open to being audited. Being randomly selected is the most common reason for being audited.
• Regaining certification: If you were previously certified by the ABR and are regaining your certification, you may be audited sometime after you’ve regained your certification.

 

What’s Involved in an Audit

If you’re selected for an audit, the ABR will ask you to provide documentation that confirms your participation in the following Continuing Certification activities:

• Part 2 (Lifelong Learning): Proof of 75 Category 1 CME credits earned within the last three years.
• Part 4 (Improvement in Medical Practice): Proof of completing a Practice Quality Improvement (PQI) project within the last three years or Participatory Activity.

If you have altered requirements, you’ll need to submit the relevant documentation. Check the Continuing Certification requirements page in myABR to see what applies to you.

You’ll be notified by email if you’re being audited, plus given clear instructions and a 60-day window to upload the required documents in myABR. Submitting early is strongly encouraged. If there’s an issue with your documents, you’ll only be able to correct it if there’s still time remaining in your 60-day window.

 

Audit Process Timeline

The entire audit process — from the beginning of the initial audit to the completion of the second audit (if required) — takes no longer than six months. Here’s a look at the entire audit process timeline:

Days 1-60: Audit begins

When selected for an audit, you’ll have 60 days to upload and submit documents. Once all of your documents are uploaded and you select “Submit Audit for Review” in myABR, our auditors will begin their review.

If they find anything is incorrect or incomplete and it’s still within this 60-day submission window, they’ll let you know and you can correct the issues.

Day 61: Submission window ends and review begins

After the 60 days is up, you’ll no longer be able to upload, edit, or submit documents.

ABR auditors will review your documents as soon as possible and mark you either compliant or noncompliant. If you’re found compliant, you’ll have completed your audit. If you’re found noncompliant, you’ll enter a secondary audit phase.

Days 61-120: Second audit and review begins

Once again, you’ll have 60 days to upload and submit documents. The process for the second audit is the same as the first, including your ability to correct any auditor feedback as long as it’s within the 60-day submission window.

Again, ABR auditors will review your documents as soon as possible and mark you either compliant or noncompliant.

 

After Submission

Once you’ve submitted all required documentation, our auditors will begin their review. Here’s what can happen next, depending on their review:

• If your documents meet all requirements, you’ll be marked compliant and the audit will be complete.
• If your submission is incomplete or incorrect, you may be asked to upload and submit additional documents — but only if there’s time left in the 60-day window (i.e. the 60 days from when your audit began).
• If your audit is found noncompliant, you’ll enter a second audit phase. This is your final opportunity to provide correct documentation before you risk losing your certification.

If you remain noncompliant at the end of the second audit, maintenance will be ended for all of your certificates. If you have a Continuous Certificate, it’ll be listed as ‘no longer certified.’

To regain certification, you’ll need to reenter the certification process, which includes passing a Continuing Certification exam.