MH Physics (ABMP) - Medical Health Physics (ABMP)

The Medical Health Physics certification by the ABMP is a professional credential for physicists who specialize in the application of physics principles to medicine, particularly in areas related to radiation protection, safety and the effective use of ionizing radiation in medicine.

Eligibility

Qualifying educational experience includes:

• MS (physical science or engineering) 

• MS (non-accredited medical physics  or MRI science program)

• MS (accredited medical physics program) 

• PhD or other doctoral degree (physical science or engineering)

• PhD or other doctoral degree (non-accredited medical physics  or MRI science program)

• PhD or other doctoral degree (accredited medical physics program)

• Certified Health Physicist w/graduate degree

• MS (accredited medical physics program w/clinical residency)

• PhD or other doctoral degree (accredited medical physics program w/clinical residency) 

Experience requirements run from zero years to six years based on educational experience, with applicants completing clinical residency programs receiving full credit.

Completion Time: Time varies

Cost: 

• Part 1 Written Exam: $390 Check or $405 PayPal

• Part 1 w/ISMRM Discount: $190 Check or $205 PayPal

• Part 2 Written Exam: $690 Check or $715 PayPal

• Part 2 w/ISMRM Discount: $490 Check or $515 PayPal

• Part 3 Oral Exam: $790 Check or $815 PayPal

• Part 3 Oral Exam (conditional retake): $395 Check or $408 PayPal

Exam Format

Part 1: Written exam covering General Medical Physics to test the general knowledge of the basic principles of medical physics. Questions are restricted to basic principles only, including:

• Biology and Radiobiology

• Imaging and Other Diagnostic Studies

• Radiation Detection and Survey Instrumentation

• Radiation Protection

• Radiographic Anatomy

• Radiological Physics

Part 2: Written exam covering Medical Health Physics to determine the candidate’s practical experience and understanding of current radiation protection standards. Questions cover 9 topics, including:

• Diagnostic Imaging

• Instrumentation

• Laboratory Design

• Non-Ionizing Radiation

• Nuclear Medicine

• Radiation Biology

• Radiation Oncology

• Standards and Regulations

• Structural Shielding

Part 3: Oral exam conducted by a multi-member examination panel and designed to determine the candidate’s knowledge and fitness to practice in a clinical environment. The goal is to determine whether the candidate can apply their knowledge correctly and effectively in a hospital setting. Topics covered include the same 9 topics from Part 1.

Scoring in the oral exam includes Pass, Conditional Pass and Fail in 7 topics. Candidates who receive a Conditional Pass in 3 or fewer categories can retake the oral portion of the exam on these topics only on the next exam date. Those who receive a Conditional Pass in 4 or more topics receive a Failing score and must reapply to take the entire oral exam again.

Application Process

MH Physics certification applicants must complete the exam application.

Certification holders must renew their credentials every 5 years by completing continuing education (CE) and submitting a renewal application and fee.

Renewal Fees

• Recertification Fee (through Jan 31): $635 by check or Bill-pay or $658 by PayPal

• Recertification plus late fee (Feb 1 – April 1): $750 by check or Bill-pay or $775 by PayPal

• Reinstatement of Expired certification (after April 1): $900 by check or Bill-pay or $930 by PayPal

Maintaining the MH in Physics certification requires the completion of 125 CE hours. CE credits must consist of a minimum of 65 Category 1 credits and no more than 60 Category 2 credits, with supporting documentation submitted with the renewal application.

Category 1 credits include planned events by accredited CE providers, such as national and local meetings of professional organizations, lectures or meetings in which participants can attend physically or remotely and enduring materials based on recorded or published content.

Category 2 credits are self-assessment credits from informally planned activities, such as conferences, teaching, consultations with colleagues, practice-based self-study, in-service presentations, journal clubs, journal articles read or published, books or chapters read or published, vendor-sponsored educational classes and technical committee memberships.

ABMP Information Booklet

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging Physics (ABMP)

• MRI for Radiation Therapy (ABMP)

• Diagnostic Medical Physics (ABR)

• Therapeutic Medical Physics (ABR)