Medical Physics is that branch of physics which includes therapeutic medical physics, diagnostic medical physics, and nuclear medical physics.

Initial Certification information is for candidates who have not been certified in a medical physics, or in particular area of medical physics (diagnostic, therapeutic, or medical nuclear). You may seek certification in any one, two, or in all three areas.

The Certificate

The certificate indicates that its holder has completed certain requirements which the Board considers to be at or above the minimum level of qualification to act in an advisory capacity to physicians regarding the physical aspects of radiation therapy, diagnostic radiology, and/or nuclear medicine. ABR and other medical professional certificates in medical physics indicate that the applicant has been found qualified to practice medical physics in the following fields.

Therapeutic Medical Physics, a branch of medical physics that deals with:

1. physical aspects of the therapeutic applications of x-rays, gamma rays, electron and other charged particle beams, neutrons, and radiations from sealed radionuclide sources
2. the equipment associated with their production and use including radiation safety.

Diagnostic Medical Physics, a branch of medical physics that deals with:

1. the diagnostic applications of x-rays, gamma rays from sealed sources, ultrasonic radiation, magnetic resonance
2. the equipment associated with their production and use including radiation safety.

Nuclear Medical Physics, a branch of medical physics that deals with:

1. the therapeutic and diagnostic applications of radionuclides (except those used in sealed sources for therapeutic purposes)
2. the equipment associated with their production and use including radiation safety.

A certificate in medical physics does NOT:

• qualify its holder to practice any phase of clinical radiology
• confer any degree, legal qualifications, privileges, or license to practice medical physics
• grant license to calibrate radiation-emitting machines or to practice medical physics in any of its aspects
• suggest special achievement in the field of medical physics

The certificate signifies that its holder, at the time of taking the examinations, intended to make the practice of medical physics his/her chief concern. Hence, those who intend to practice radiology (and be certified as radiologists) should not be certified as physicists. Physicists who are primarily concerned with areas of physics other than medical physics should not be encouraged to take the ABR examinations.

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.