International Medical Physics Certification Board (IMPCB)

Recommendation Model for the Medical Physics Certification Process

August 2010

Certification Board

1. Certification should be by examination, conducted by a country-specific, geographically regional or other designated Medical Physics Certification Board (“Board”).
2. The objectives and purposes of the Board shall be as follows:
1. To establish minimum standards and improve the practice of medical physics where medical physics is defined as the application of physics and related sciences to the clinical practice of medicine (such as Radiation Oncology Physics; Medical Imaging Physics; Nuclear Medicine Physics; Non-ionizing Radiation Physics; Medical Health Physics; Physiological Measurements)
2. To develop standards and procedures for the certification of medical physicists.
3. To establish and evaluate qualifications of candidates requesting examination for certification in the field of medical physics.
4. To arrange, and conduct examinations to test the competence of candidates for certification in the field of medical physics.
5. To grant and issue certificates in the field of medical physics to applicants who have been found qualified by the Board.
6. To maintain a registry of holders of such certificates and serve the public by preparing and furnishing lists of medical physicists who have been certified by the Board.

Examination Format

1. It is recommended that the certification examination consist of three parts:

Candidates will pass both Part I and Part II before taking Part III.

1. Part I is designed to test the competence of the candidate in fundamental aspects of medical physics (General Medical Physics).
2. Part II is designed to determine the competence of the candidate in a specialty area of medical physics, (such as Radiation Oncology Physics; Medical Imaging Physics; Nuclear Medicine Physics; Non-ionizing Radiation Physics; Medical Health Physics; Physiological Measurements)
3. Part III is designed to determine the candidate’s knowledge and fitness to practice clinical medical physics in a designated specialty,( such as Radiation Oncology Physics; Medical Imaging Physics; Nuclear Medicine Physics; Non-ionizing Radiation Physics; Medical Health Physics; Physiological Measurements)

Eligibility

1. The following minimum requirements should be required of candidates who wish to take the three-part Board examinations.

a. Part I Examination (General Medical Physics)

i. Education – graduation from an accredited college or university with an advanced degree (Masters or Doctorate) in physics, medical physics or an equivalent degree in an appropriate physical or engineering science discipline.

ii. Professional Training – none required

b. Part II Examination (Medical Physics Specialty)

i. Education – requirements as specified above for Part I

ii. Professional Training – 2 (two) years full-time equivalent training preceding the date of application for examination. The training should be carried out under the supervision of a Certified Medical Physicist (CMP) specializing in the same sub-field or under the supervision of a qualified individual with a level of professional experience and expertise equivalent to that of a CMP.

c. Part III Oral Examination (Medical Physics Specialty)

i. Prerequisites – successfully passed Parts I and II

ii. Professional Training as specified above for Part II

Re-examinations

1. A candidate who fails to pass any Part of the three-part examination may petition to be re-examined in that Part within 1 (one) year from the previous attempt.
2. If any Part of the examination has been taken unsuccessfully three times, the candidate should be required to reapply for the entire sequence of examinations.