Radiology is an expanding field. Applying for residency positions in radiology has become increasingly competitive. Applicants are often near the top of their medical school class, with high USMLE (board) scores. The field is rapidly expanding due to advances in computer technology, which is closely linked to modern imaging. Diagnostic radiologists must complete prerequisite undergraduate education, 4 years of medical school, one year of internship, and 4 years of residency training. After residency, radiologists often pursue one or two years of additional specialty fellowship training.

To be certified by the American Board of Radiology (ABR), the radiology resident must pass a multiple choice medical physics board exam during training (usually taken after the second year of radiology residency) covering the science, technology and radiobiology of ultrasound, CTs, x-rays, nuclear medicine and MRI. A second multiple choice exam ("written board") on clinical aspects is then subsequently taken usually one year later. After passing these two tests and being in good standing, the resident is eligible to take the oral examination or eligible to "sit for the Boards", taken about a month before graduating from the radiology residency. To complete the oral section of the ABR certification, a radiologist must pass all eleven sections. An applicant who passes fewer than eight sections has failed and must re-take the entire exam. An applicant who passes at least eight of the eleven sections of the ABR oral boards is considered "conditioned" and can retake the last three or fewer sections again at a later date to become ABR certified. Once successful in passing all sections, the physician then becomes a diplomate of the American Board of Radiology. Recertification examination is taken every 10 years with additional continuing medical education as outlined in the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) document.