Do you know of any non-board certified rads and how difficult is the rads board exam

[eyebolit]

Can anyone (especially precticing radiologists) comment on whether it is possible to work as a non-board certified radiologist for those who finish radiology residency in US. What kind of opportunities are there? And how difficult is the radiology board exam. Thanks a lot. Appreciate any feedback.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[piotr13]

I hear the boards for radiology are one of the toughest, b/c you have to know basically all the organs and diseases associated with them. But if you like and know the stuff, you should be fine!

 

[oldandtired]

Currently you could find work somewhere, probably not in a very desirable location.

You may have some problems with insurance carriers and hospital credentialling comittees. Many groups no matter how desperate would probably not look at you. Although I do know of a non board certified rad working in southern illinois making a good living.

You could probably do locums or work at some VA until you do pass.

 

[Goober]

Where are you in training? You already wondering about passing boards? Don't sweat it. The writtens are not difficult probably 85% pass rate if not higher. The orals are more difficult with only 70% passing and the rest conditioning or failing on the first attempt. The good news is 95% of all rads will eventually become ABR certified. To not pass ever you really have to be bottom of barrel.

You can still work as a noncertified Rads, but many groups will not hire you. Most groups will have a stipulation that you are certified in 2 years or you will not become partner. But even in that sceanrio you can still work and the work in the current market is not hard to find.

 

[eyebolit]

thanks for the info guys. I understand that 95% pass the boards. The problem is that I really hate tests (guess after so many years of taking them I really developed a distaste). I just have heard from several people that Radiology boards are the toughest of all the specialties and though I;m not sure how true this is, it kinda scared me. Can u also please comment on how much u are tested during ur residency and how it is compared to other specialties. Thanks for the help.

 

[russellb]

I understand that 95% pass the boards.

When I took my exam ('01), they told us that 75-80% pass on the 1st try, while about 15% of others get a 'conditional pass'. You can fail up to 3 of the 10 sections and receive a conditional pass, which means that you return a few months later to be examined only in the sections that you failed.
About 5-10% fail the exam and most of those who fail the 1st time don't pass on subsequent attempts, apparently.
Check out www.theabr.org