The international medical physics certification board (IMPCB) : objectives, history and achievements in the first decade

Abstract

The International Medical Physics Certification Board (IMPCB) was formed in 2010 by eleven Charter Member Organizations to support medical physicists all over the world by defining minimum professional standards for, and improve the practice of, medical physics using international standards and guidelines provided by organizations such as IOMP and IAEA. This is to be achieved by establishing an accreditation program for national or regional Medical Physics Certification Boards and a certification scheme for individual medical physicists from or working in countries where no such boards exist. IMPCB has accredited three national programs in the Asia Pacific region to date with an additional one imminent. To achieve certification, individual candidates will be expected to have a degree in physics or equivalent, a higher degree in medical physics (or equivalent) and at least two years of clinical training in one of the medical physics specialties. The examination is conducted in three parts consisting of assessments in general medical physics, specialized medical physics (e.g., radiation oncology, diagnostic radiology or nuclear medicine physics) and an oral examination. By submission date more than 160 candidates have commenced their journey through the examination process with 25 candidates having been awarded full certification in radiation oncology medical physics and 2 in diagnostic imaging medical physics. IMPCB offers a pathway to individual certification for medical physicists who have no other options. For existing certification boards it provides independent evaluation and accreditation with the assurance that the board’s procedures and graduates are meeting international standards.