U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Technical Assistance Request, American Board of Radiology "Certifications"

HPPOS-287 PDR-9306180082

Title: Technical Assistance Request, American Board of

Radiology "Certifications"

See the memorandum from J. E. Glenn to R. R. Bellamy (and

others) dated December 9, 1992. This NMSS memo was written

in response to a verbal technical assistance request (TAR)

from Region IV concerning the nomenclature of various

certifications of the American Board of Radiology (ABR).

The ABR "certifications" recognized by NRC for authorized

user status for physicians using materials authorized in 10

CFR Parts 35.300 Radiopharmaceuticals for Therapy), 35.400

(Sources for Brachytherapy), 35.500 Sealed Sources for

Diagnostics), and 35.600 (Teletherapy) are described in 10

CFR Parts 35.930 (a) (2), 35.940 (a) (1), and 35.960 (a)

(1). Before 1979, the ABR issued a certification in

"radiology" which covered both diagnostic and therapeutic

radiology. Since the ABR certification in "radiology"

includes both diagnostic and therapeutic radiology, it is

acceptable for certification for authorized user status

under 10 CFR Parts 35.910, 35.920, 35.930, 35.940, 35.950,

and 35.960. However, as with any review of training and

experience, the recentness of training and/or certification

must be considered. After 1979, the ABR replaced the

"radiology" certification with two certifications,

"diagnostic radiology" (with an additional designation in

"nuclear radiology"), and "therapeutic radiology."

Certification by the ABR in diagnostic radiology is

recognized as meeting the training requirements for

authorized users using 10 CFR Parts 35.100, 35.200, and

35.500 material, and certification by the ABR in

therapeutic radiology is recognized for authorized users

using 10 CFR Parts 35.300, 35.400, 35.500, and 35.600

materials. In 1987, the ABR renamed "therapeutic

radiology" as "radiation oncology". The criteria for

certification in radiation oncology are the same as those

previously required for therapeutic radiology, and the name

was changed to more adequately describe the practice.

Since certification in "therapeutic radiology" and

"radiation oncology" are synonymous, both may be accepted

to decide authorized user status for physicians using 10

CFR Parts 35.300, 35.400, 35.500, and 35.600 materials on a

case by case basis until NRC adds the radiology oncology

certification to the regulations.

Regulatory references: 10 CFR 35

Subject codes: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3

Applicability: Byproduct Materials