The MDCB (Medical Dosimetry Certification Board) was officially formulated in 1988. It is an authorized certifying agency for MD, Medical Dosimetrists in the U.S. and manages the MDC (Medical Dosimetry Certification) Exam.
From 1991, the MDC exam was administered annually in fifteen test sites situated in major cities in the US and Canada. Since 2012, the MDC exam has been conducted bi-annually.
Related: Medical Dosimetrist Salary
What is a Medical Dosimetrist? They are radiation oncology team member who helps to provide treatment to cancer patients through Radiation Therapy. The Medical Dosimetrists generally work in cancer centers or hospitals.
They typically work in unison with other healthcare professionals such as: Radiation Oncologists, Radiation Therapists, Physicians, Oncology Nurses, and Medical Physicists.
To Become a MDCB Dosimetrist:
To become a Dosimetrist, per the MDCB (Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board) the individual must pass Certified Medical Dosimetrist examination. The individual can find complete details on MDCB website. The board allows three pathways to be eligible to take the certification exam.
- If you are already a registered radiation therapist, then you can finish 24 months of CMD experience. However, this must be administered by a CMD or Radiation Oncologist or Medical Physicist.
- Have a bachelor’s degree or an associate’s degree. When you have bachelor’s degree in any subject, then you can obtain 3 years or 36 months of CD experience provided by trained professionals. Unfortunately, this method was removed in 2013.
- The third method to the eligibility for the CMD exam is to finish a 12-month certified education program in MD (Medical Dosimetry). This includes 6 months of authorized clinical experience in MD.
Understand The Far Reach Of The MDCB
Medical Dosimetrists from other countries have acknowledged the importance of the MD certification program, and they have chosen to become certified by the MDCB. At the beginning of the year 2008, the exam was conducted in South Korea and Hong Kong.
But, only if there were at least 10 candidates in attendance for the exam at the authorized testing site location. By 2011, a computerized exam became accessible in over 133 sites outside the U.S. This exam currently is accessible to candidates as far as the Middle East, Europe, and Australia.
The MDCB follows a meticulous application process, which has received the NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies) official approval. The NCCA is an authorized body of the ICE (Institute for Credentialing Excellence).
The objective of the NCCA is to assure the health, safety and welfare of the public through the endorsement of certification programs and society that evaluates specialized proficiency.
The MDCB board members represent each discipline, including Medical Physics, Dosimetry, and Radiation Oncology, which is a vital section in the expansion of the MDCB examination.
This exam constantly measures the experience and knowledge of Medical Dosimetrists and assures high standards of safety and health care of patients.
Becoming a Certified Medical Dosimetrist:
The MDCB is an authorized certifying agency in the United States and it manages the exam and certification process.
To become eligible to apply to take the exam, the candidate must meet the MDCB criteria. Starting in 2017, there will be one rule for all applicants. All candidates must have a Bachelor of Science degree and they must graduate from an official MD program recognized by the (JRCERT) or from a qualifying foreign correspondent.
