Education for Medical Dosimetry

The Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB) sets the standards on eligibility for the certification board exam. As of 2011, there are two options for becoming a medical dosimetrist: 1) a formal medical dosimetry educational program; or 2) completion of on-the-job training as a medical dosimetrist.

  1. Formal educational programs are listed on the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) website at http://www.jrcert.org/cert/Search.jsp. (Select medical dosimetry from the dropdown menu titled Type of Program; then click Search).

  2. On-the-job training is a position offered within a radiation oncology department therefore requiring supervision by a certified medical physicist or certified medical dosimetrist.

NOTE: In 2011, the MDCB released new eligibility criteria to sit for the exam. For a list of the future eligibility requirements, please visit http://www.mdcb.org/examinfo/eligibility.htm.

Formal Medical Dosimetry Educational Programs

To enroll in a formal educational program:

  • Most programs require the applicant to be a registered radiation therapist or an individual with a baccalaureate degree with physical science pre-requisites.

  • Courses such as biology, physics, calculus — trigonometry, chemistry, anatomy & physiology, computer science, medical terminology and general health care are examples of typical pre-requisites.

  • The applicant will be required to interview with an admissions committee and is selected on a competitive basis.

  • Most programs require that a previous observation be completed in medical dosimetry to ensure the applicant knows what the profession is and if they truly want to do this. The applicant is responsible for finding a radiation oncology observation site; however, the AAMD Education Committee is developing an Observation Sites web page to list willing sites for student observation.

What is a Medical Dosimetrist?

For a brief presentation about entering the medical dosimetry profession, click here.