Requirements
- 4 years in a diagnostic radiology program , approved for training in diagnostic radiology by the Residency Review Committee ( RRC) for diagnostic radiology of the ACGME, or by the RCPSC ( Canada).
- A minimum of 4 months of the 4-year diagnostic training program must be spent in nuclear medicine. (See Nuclear Medicine 2004 Training Update.)
- 3 months in mammography, as required by The Graduate Medical Educational Directory--Essentials
- No more than 12 months in any one discipline. (Research is considered a discipline. Those considering careers in research may want to participate in the Holman Research Pathway.)
- No more than 6 months in rotations outside the parent institution
- Will be a graduate of an accredited U.S. or Canadian program by September 30 of the year the exam will be taken. The following table shows when you can apply and take parts of the exam.
Diagnostic Radiology
Examinations
|
May apply for written cognitive exams |
Eligible to take Physics exam |
Eligible to take Clinical exam |
Eligible to take oral exam (after passing both written cognitive exams) |
1st year
(0 to 12 months training)
|
X |
|
|
|
2nd year
(12 t0 24 months training)
|
X |
X |
|
|
3rd year
(24 to 36 months training)
|
X |
X |
X |
|
4th year
(36 to 48 months training)
|
X |
X |
X |
|
48 months + clinical year completed |
X |
X |
X |
X |
- Transfer: It is expected that you will remain in the same program for all four years. If you wish to transfer for any reason, that transfer must be verified by the initial program director with whom you have successfully completed the training. A listing of the specific rotations is required. This training must be accepted by the new program director. If a program director states that a resident has not successfully completed training, that statement must have the signatures of two other faculty members from the same program, supporting the claim of unsatisfactory completion.
- Leave of absence: Leaves of absence and vacation may be granted to residents at the discretion of the program director in accordance with local rules. Within the required period(s) of graduate medical education, the total such leave and vacation time may not exceed SIX CALENDAR WEEKS (30 working days) for residents in a program for one year, TWELVE CALENDAR WEEKS (60 working days) for residents in a program for two years, EIGHTEEN CALENDAR WEEKS (90 working days) for residents in a program for three years, or TWENTY FOUR CALENDAR WEEKS (120 working days) for residents in a program for four years. If a longer leave of absence is granted, the required period of graduate medical education must be extended accordingly.
- Cardiac life support certification: You must have basic cardiac life support certification. Advanced cardiac life support certification is encouraged.
- High moral and ethical standards: You must be a specialist in diagnostic radiology and recognized by your peers to have high moral and ethical standards in the profession.
- Proof of valid state licensure. (For those in training, a training license is acceptable)
- Pass all ABR written and oral exams
Special Training
The period of special training shall be as the Board of Trustees shall determine by resolution or motion from time to time. The Board of Trustees requires a written statement from the applicant's current program director, attesting that the applicant will have satisfactorily completed the required special training and will have achieved adequate professional qualifications for the examination in diagnostic radiology by the appointed time, and is prepared to take that examination. Residents must be in accredited radiology training programs at the time of their examination.
Special Circumstances
In special instances these requirements may be modified by majority vote of the entire Board of Trustees, or by the Executive Committee acting in its stead.
Failure to Qualify
If your program director fails to indicate in writing that you will have the required special training and will have achieved adequate professional qualifications before the examination, documentation of the reason(s) must be submitted along with evidence that you have been appropriately apprised of these deficiencies. The ABR's Appeals Policy may be accessed by clicking on this link: Appeals Policy.
Appealing a Decision
The applicant must provide the Executive Committee of the Board with a written statement supporting the appeal. The Executive Committee may ask the program director to submit a written response to the applicant's appeal.
Final Decision
Within a reasonable timeframe, the Executive Committee must reach a final decision in determining the candidate's admissibility to the examination.
Final Action of the Board
The final action of the Board is based on the applicant's professional record, training, and attainment in the field of diagnostic radiology, as well as on the results of examinations. This Board has been organized—not to prevent qualified radiologists from obtaining certificates—but to assist them in becoming recognized in their communities as men and women competent to practice diagnostic radiology.
Revocation of Certificate
Certificates issued by this Board shall be subject to revocation in the event that:
- the certificate was issued contrary to or in violation of any rule or regulation of the ABR; or
- the person to whom the certificate was issued was not eligible to receive it; or
- substantial misstatement or omission of a material fact to the ABR in an application or in any other information submitted to the ABR;
- any license of the person to practice is not, or ceases to be, a valid and unrestricted license to practice within the meaning set forth in the Rules and Regulations of the ABR (In the event that a Diplomate’s license to practice is suspended, revoked or restricted in any state in which the Diplomate practices, holds a license or has held a license, the Diplomate’s board certification may be revoked or suspended); or
- violation of rules and regulations relating to the Written Qualifying, Oral and Maintenance of Certification Examinations and applications to take the examinations; or
- presenting or distributing, or aiding, or assisting another person(s) to present or distribute, a forged document or other written instrument purporting to have been issued by or under the authority of the ABR to evidence that a candidate, Diplomate, or any other person(s) is currently or was previously certified by the ABR, when that is not the case, or claiming orally or in writing, or assisting another person(s) to claim, that a candidate, Diplomate, or any other person(s) is currently or was previously certified by the ABR, when that is not the case; or
- engaging in any conduct that materially disrupts any examination or that could reasonably be interpreted as threatening or abusive toward any examinee, proctor or staff; or
- failure to cooperate with the ABR or its Hearing Committee at any point during the investigation of a matter arising under Article X of the ABR Bylaws.
Before any such certificate shall be revoked, a notice shall be sent by registered or certified mail to the last known address of the holder of such certificate (as it appears on the records of the ABR). The notice will set forth the act, omission or conduct alleged or complained of, and give the holder of the certificate a reasonable opportunity to answer in writing thereto. Such certificate holder shall have not less than 30 days in which to reply thereto. The Board of Trustees may at its discretion make such further investigation as it deems necessary and proper.
The Board of Trustees of this Corporation shall have the sole power, jurisdiction, and right to determine and decide whether or not the evidence or information before it is sufficient to constitute one of the grounds for revocation of any certificate issued by the Board. The decision of the Board of Trustees in the premise shall be final.
The Board reserves the right to make changes in its fees, policies, and procedures at any time and cannot assume responsibility for giving advance notice thereof.
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