Candidate Application

Introduction

The ABR has approved conditions and requirements for a redesigned pathway leading to eligibility for both primary certification in diagnostic radiology (DR) or interventional radiology (IR/DR) and subspecialty certification in nuclear radiology (NR).

Interested candidates must complete the application for DR or IR/DR certification through myABR before submitting this application.  

To apply for the 16-month Pathway to Dual Certification, the ABR requires submission of two forms:

1. The Candidate Application Form (this form), submitted by the candidate, and
2. The Sponsoring Department Agreement (SDA), submitted by the candidate’s program director. Please download the SDA (see page 2) and ask the sponsoring department program director complete and submit the required information.

Fees during the DR or IR/DR residency will be the same as those for a traditional resident. A fee for the nuclear radiology subspecialty exam will be required at the time of exam application.

16-Month Pathway Requirements

1. The Sponsoring Department must have at least one full-time nuclear radiology (NR)/nuclear medicine (NM) faculty member with current ABR NR subspecialty certification or current certification from the American Board of Nuclear Medicine (ABNM). The faculty member also must be an appropriate Authorized User (AU) of radioactive materials in accordance with 10 CFR 35.390.
2. The Sponsoring Department must have at least one sponsoring NR/NM faculty member designated by the department chair or program director. This individual should serve as the core NR/NM/AU subspecialty physician faculty designated by the residency to meet the ACGME DR or IR/DR program requirements (may be the DR or IR/DR program director if appropriate).
3. Training time must consist of 16 months of NR/NM training at any time during the 48 months of DR residency as follows: 
   1. Up to two clinical pre-DR or pre IR/DR residency months (e.g., during the PGY-1 clinical year or other residency training) may count toward the 16 months if performed at an institution with an ACGME- or RCPSC-accredited DR program.
   2. Four "core" NR/NM months are required for all DR residents.
   3. At least eight additional months of dedicated NR/NM training are required.
   4. Up to four months in approved NR/NM/molecular imaging (MI)-related rotations may count. These rotations must be detailed on the SDA application. Examples include:
      • Abdominal/cardiovascular/musculoskeletal/thoracic
      • Head and neck/neuroradiology
      • Interventional radiology
      • Non-isotopic molecular imaging
      • Oncologic imaging
4. Clinical hybrid modality experience in PET/CT and SPECT/CT is required.
5. Therapeutic experience must fulfill NRC training and experience for Authorized User (AU) eligibility under 10 CFR 35.390:

   "700 hours of training and experience, including a minimum of 200 hours of classroom and laboratory training, in basic radionuclide handling techniques applicable to the medical use of unsealed byproduct material requiring a written directive."

   Therapeutic administrations must include a minimum of:
   1. ten oral administrations of ¹³¹ I NaI ≤ 33 mCi,
   2. five oral administrations of ¹³¹ I NaI > 33 mCi, and
   3. five parenteral administrations of an alpha emitter, beta emitter, and/or photon emitter < 150 keV.

Sponsoring Department Agreement (SDA):

Please download the SDA located here: https://www.theabr.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/2018_SDA-16MoPath.pdf and have your sponsoring department program director complete the required information. After completed, use the file upload tool below to upload the completed SDA. 

Agreement of Applicant

for the American Board of Radiology 16-month Pathway to Certification in Diagnostic Radiology or Interventional Radiology/Diagnostic Radiology and Subspecialty Certification in Nuclear Radiology

Please read carefully before signing.

I understand and agree that I must complete 16 months of nuclear radiology/ nuclear medicine experience within a diagnostic radiology residency as set forth by my sponsoring program. See ABR 16-month pathway requirements at www.theabr.org/diagnostic-radiology/subspecialties/nuclear-radiology/requirements-registration#16-mo-path.

I agree to timely payment of initial certification fees during training and the period during which I am enrolled in the initial certification process but not yet certified.

I recognize the trustees of the ABR as the sole and only judge of my qualifications to receive and to retain a certificate issued by the Board.

I understand that I will have 10 years after successful completion of my residency to attain nuclear radiology subspecialty certification via the Nuclear Radiology Subspecialty Certifying Exam.