ABR IR/DR
Interventional Radiology / Diagnostic Radiology (IR/DR) Certification Exam
More study resources
Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
The ABR IR/DR certification is a combined Interventional Radiology and Diagnostic Radiology credential awarded by the American Board of Radiology, a not-for-profit organization and member of the American Board of Medical Specialties. The ABR describes its mission as certifying "that our diplomates demonstrate the requisite knowledge, skill, and understanding of their disciplines to the benefit of patients," and its vision as assuring "the highest standards of specialty expertise and professionalism in the radiological sciences." The credential is intended for physicians completing ABR initial certification in the combined IR/DR pathway, who must demonstrate competence across both interventional and diagnostic radiology rather than in a single discipline. Because the combined pathway spans two broad bodies of knowledge, preparation should be built around both domains rather than one: interventional procedural knowledge, patient selection, and periprocedural management on one side, and the full breadth of diagnostic imaging interpretation on the other. This page is an independent study resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the ABR, and it does not reproduce ABR exam content. Candidates should treat the ABR's own published exam dates and information, eligibility requirements, and policies as the authoritative source for anything that affects their application or testing schedule, and use practice material here only as a supplement to structured study.
What you'll study
About ABR IR/DR preparation
Is this an official ABR product?
No. This is an independent study platform. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the American Board of Radiology. Our questions are original and are not drawn from ABR exams or any commercial question bank. Always confirm eligibility, scheduling, and policy details directly with the ABR.
What does the IR/DR credential cover?
It is a combined Interventional Radiology and Diagnostic Radiology certification, so the knowledge base spans both interventional practice and the full breadth of diagnostic imaging. Plan study time across both areas rather than concentrating on one; candidates commonly over-prepare intervention and under-prepare the diagnostic side.
How many questions are on the exam and how long is it?
We do not state a question count, time limit, or passing score, because those figures are not published in the source material we can verify and exam structure is revised periodically. Check the ABR's exam dates and information pages for current specifications before you build a timing strategy around any number.
What is the passing score and what does it cost?
Those values are not confirmed here, so we do not publish them. Fees and scoring standards change and are set by the ABR. Verify current figures through the ABR's get certified and exam dates and information sections rather than relying on secondhand numbers, which are frequently out of date.
What happens if I fail - can I retake it?
Retake rules, waiting periods, and any limits on attempts are set by the ABR policy, and we do not state them here because the specifics are not confirmed in our source. Review the ABR policies and agreements pages before you assume a timeline, since an incorrect assumption can cost you a full cycle.
How long is the certification valid?
Validity and continuing certification requirements are governed by the ABR's stay certified program, not by this page. We do not publish a validity period because it is not confirmed in our source. Consult the ABR stay certified materials for the requirements that apply to your certificate year.
What is the most common way candidates lose points?
Uneven coverage. Combined IR/DR candidates often drill procedural detail and let diagnostic breadth lapse, or the reverse. The second common failure is misreading the question stem - missing a negation, a single best answer instruction, or a key finding buried mid-stem. Build mixed-topic sets so both domains stay sharp.
What study order do you recommend?
Start with a broad diagnostic sweep to find weak organ systems, then layer interventional topics on top so procedural questions are anchored to the imaging findings that drive them. Finish with timed mixed sets that alternate domains. Spaced review of missed items matters more than adding new material late in preparation.
Does the source mention any upcoming exam changes?
The ABR home page carries a notice titled "From the Board of Governors: New DR Oral Exam Will Improve Assessment of Candidate Knowledge and Skills," dated October 2026. No effective date or exam details are stated in the material we reviewed, so confirm directly with the ABR before adjusting your plan.
Where do I confirm dates and eligibility?
Use the ABR's own get certified, exam dates and information, and policies and agreements pages. Those are the authoritative sources for eligibility, scheduling, and rules. Treat any third-party summary, including ours, as a study aid only and verify anything that affects your application.