Overview of Part 1

This Section provides prospective candidates with detailed information examination process and  procedures and policies for  Part 1 of the certification examination 

Part 1 consists of two (2) sections which will be held over 2 days.

1. Part 1 - Section 1  (Radiation Physics and Imaging Technology [RPIT]) will be administered on August 29, 2024
2. Part 1 - Section 2 (Radiation Biology and Protection [RBP]) will be administered on August 30, 2024

For Part 1, RPIT (Day 1) and RBP (Day 2) sections will both be administered and proctored live remotely by Prometric using ProProctor, a secure remote-assessment platform. The remote proctor protects against academic dishonesty by confirming the test taker’s identity and recording the surroundings during the exam through audio and video recording. 

Once a candidate is approved by the ABOMR, the candidate will schedule their remote exam directly with Prometric. Contact instructions will be provided via Prometric website soon after registration closes.  

As this is a remote examination, there are numerous steps to be taken to check to see if the candidate’s computer satisfies specific requirements, that the testing application is downloaded, and that the candidate’s testing environment is appropriate. Specific details for Prometric remote test takers, including a YouTube Video, are available HERE. The ProProctor User guide is available HERE.

All exam correspondence is sent via email; therefore, examinees are responsible for ensuring that their email address in their ABOMR profile is current and allows for correspondence from both The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology and Prometric. The ABOMR and Prometric will not be held responsible for misdirected (sent to spam or trash) communications regarding the Part 1 or Part 2 Certifying Examination.

A Dentist is eligible to challenge Part 1 of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology certifying examination if one of the following educational requirements is met: 

1. Graduation from an advanced education program in Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology accredited by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation or by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada with regular standing. A failing grade (F), or an unsatisfactory grade (U) on the transcript will render the applicant ineligible. There is no limit on time between graduation from an accredited OMR advanced education program and applying for the certifying exam for the first time.
2. Successful completion of a minimum of 24 months of an OMR advanced education program accredited by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation or by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada. Applicants in these programs must be graduates from: (a) Predoctoral dental programs in the U.S. accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation; or (b) Predoctoral dental programs in Canada accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada; or (c) International dental schools that provide equivalent educational background and standing as determined by the program.

An applicant becomes a candidate to challenge Part 1 of the examination on the date the application is approved by the Board. Eligibility to challenge Part 1 of the examination is extended for a total of three  (3) occasions within 5 years. If a candidate fails to pass Part 1 within the eligibility period, candidate status may be re-established by reapplication as a new Part 1 applicant and payment of the application fee.  

Details of the format and Grading of Part I Certification examination can be found in the The ABOMR Policy and Procedures Manual 2024

Appendix 1 of the The ABOMR Policy and Procedures Manual 2024 provides candidates with a “roadmap” of educational domains, subjects, and topics for Part 1A (RPIT) and Part 1B (RBP) to test a candidates clinically applicable knowledge and judgement in the foundational sciences relevant to the practice of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology in dentistry.

Appendix 2 of the The ABOMR Policy and Procedures Manual 2024 provides the candidate with a list of selected reference materials for Part 1. 

The ABOMR uses multiple textbooks and reference materials to develop certification examinations. This list does not include all the available textbooks and materials for studying for this exam; these are simply resources that the ABOMR has determined as providing guidance toward establishing a knowledge base. 

This list is intended to help prepare for these exams. It is not intended to be an endorsement of any of the publications listed. You should prepare for the ABOMR exams using as many different study materials as possible. 

Appendix 3 of The ABOMR Policy and Procedures Manual 2024 provides the candidate with a representative sample of questions and correct responses used in previous Part 1 examinations. Examples of the grading rubric are also provided.