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100+ Free ABMP Medical Health Physics Practice Questions

Pass your ABMP Medical Health Physics (Part II) Certification Exam exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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Which type of radiation detector is most appropriate for measuring exposure rates in a mixed gamma and beta radiation field?

A
B
C
D
to track
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: ABMP Medical Health Physics Exam

57%

2025 Pass Rate

ABMP

4 hours

Exam Duration

Part II written

$690

Part II Fee

2026

9

Content Domains

ABMP outline

NRC

RSO Recognition

On diploma

1987

ABMP Founded

~400 active diplomates

The ABMP Medical Health Physics Part II written exam is nominally 4 hours and covers 9 weighted content domains. The 2026 Part II application fee is $690. MHP certification is recognized by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for RSO eligibility. Pass rates for the MHP Part II exam were 44% (2023), 60% (2024), and 57% (2025). The ABMP has certified nearly 400 physicists since 1987.

Sample ABMP Medical Health Physics Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your ABMP Medical Health Physics exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which type of radiation detector is most appropriate for measuring exposure rates in a mixed gamma and beta radiation field?
A.NaI(Tl) scintillation detector
B.Ionization chamber with open window
C.Thermoluminescent dosimeter
D.Geiger-Mueller counter with thin window
Explanation: An ionization chamber with an open window is the most appropriate instrument for measuring exposure rates in mixed gamma and beta fields because it provides an energy-independent response and can measure both radiation types simultaneously. Ionization chambers are the gold standard for accurate exposure rate measurements due to their near-tissue-equivalent response.
2What is the primary advantage of a Geiger-Mueller (GM) counter compared to an ionization chamber?
A.Ability to distinguish between alpha and beta particles
B.More accurate dose rate measurements
C.Better energy discrimination
D.Higher sensitivity for detecting low-level contamination
Explanation: The primary advantage of a GM counter is its high sensitivity, making it ideal for detecting low-level contamination. GM counters produce a large pulse for each ionizing event regardless of the energy deposited, which makes them excellent for contamination surveys. However, they cannot discriminate energy or provide accurate dose rate information.
3A multi-channel analyzer (MCA) is used in gamma spectroscopy primarily to:
A.Sort detected photon events by energy into discrete channels
B.Convert analog signals to digital pulses for counting
C.Filter out background radiation from the spectrum
D.Amplify the detector signal to improve sensitivity
Explanation: A multi-channel analyzer sorts incoming pulses by their amplitude (which corresponds to photon energy) into discrete channels, creating an energy spectrum. This allows identification of specific radionuclides by their characteristic gamma-ray energies. The MCA is essential in gamma spectroscopy for isotope identification and quantitative analysis.
4Which personnel dosimeter provides the most accurate measurement of deep dose equivalent for regulatory compliance?
A.Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimeter
B.Direct-reading pocket ionization chamber
C.Film badge
D.Electronic personal dosimeter (EPD)
Explanation: OSL dosimeters (such as Luxel badges) are widely used as the dosimeter of record for regulatory compliance because they provide accurate deep dose equivalent measurements with excellent sensitivity, long-term stability, and the ability to be re-read. They have largely replaced film badges due to their superior performance characteristics and lower minimum detectable dose.
5A liquid scintillation counting system is the preferred method for measuring which type of radioactive sample?
A.Low-energy beta emitters like H-3 and C-14
B.Alpha emitters in environmental samples
C.High-activity sealed sources
D.High-energy gamma emitters like Co-60
Explanation: Liquid scintillation counting is the preferred method for measuring low-energy beta emitters such as tritium (H-3) and carbon-14 (C-14). The sample is dissolved directly in the scintillation cocktail, eliminating self-absorption issues that would prevent detection of these low-energy betas by external detectors. This technique achieves near 4-pi geometry counting efficiency.
6Which neutron detection method uses a material that undergoes the reaction n + He-3 → H-3 + p?
A.He-3 proportional counter
B.Bonner sphere with LiI detector
C.Fission chamber
D.BF3 proportional counter
Explanation: The He-3 proportional counter uses the reaction He-3(n,p)H-3, where a thermal neutron is captured by helium-3, producing a proton and tritium with a combined kinetic energy of 764 keV. He-3 counters have high neutron sensitivity and are commonly used in neutron survey instruments and spectroscopy systems.
7What is the dead time of a Geiger-Mueller counter?
A.The warm-up period before the counter becomes operational
B.The period after a count during which the detector cannot register another event
C.The time required for the counter to reach operating voltage
D.The time between calibration checks
Explanation: Dead time is the period immediately following a detected event during which the GM tube cannot register another ionizing event. This occurs because the positive ion sheath surrounding the anode must clear before the electric field is restored. At high count rates, dead time losses can be significant and must be corrected for accurate measurements, typically using the formula N_true = N_observed / (1 - N_observed × τ).
8In a scintillation detector, what is the function of the photomultiplier tube (PMT)?
A.To convert light photons from the scintillator into an amplified electrical signal
B.To provide high voltage to the scintillation crystal
C.To convert incident radiation directly into electrical current
D.To filter out unwanted wavelengths of scintillation light
Explanation: The photomultiplier tube converts the visible light photons produced in the scintillator into an amplified electrical signal. It does this through the photoelectric effect at the photocathode, followed by electron multiplication through a series of dynodes. A typical PMT provides a gain of 10^6 to 10^7, making it possible to detect individual scintillation events.
9An electronic personal dosimeter (EPD) is particularly useful in which situation?
A.Long-term cumulative dose monitoring over a quarterly period
B.Measuring neutron doses in a reactor facility
C.Real-time dose rate monitoring and alarming during high-exposure tasks
D.Legal dose of record for regulatory reporting
Explanation: Electronic personal dosimeters are particularly useful for real-time dose monitoring because they provide immediate readout of both accumulated dose and dose rate, with programmable alarm setpoints. They are ideal for tasks where workers may encounter elevated radiation levels and need immediate feedback, such as during fluoroscopy procedures or emergency response activities.
10Which detector type would be most suitable for performing an energy calibration of a gamma spectrometry system?
A.Ionization chamber
B.Proportional counter
C.GM counter
D.High-purity germanium (HPGe) detector
Explanation: High-purity germanium (HPGe) detectors offer superior energy resolution compared to other detector types, making them the standard for gamma spectrometry. Their excellent resolution (typically <2 keV FWHM at 1332 keV) allows precise identification of closely spaced gamma-ray peaks, which is essential for accurate energy calibration and radionuclide identification.

About the ABMP Medical Health Physics Exam

The ABMP Medical Health Physics Part II exam is the written specialty examination for Medical Health Physics certification from the American Board of Medical Physics. It tests competence across 9 domains including radiation instrumentation, shielding design, regulations, and quality assurance for radiation oncology, diagnostic imaging, and nuclear medicine. The MHP certification is recognized by the NRC for Radiation Safety Officer eligibility.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

4 hours

Passing Score

Pass/Fail (set by Board)

Exam Fee

$690 (ABMP)

ABMP Medical Health Physics Exam Content Outline

10%

Instrumentation

Ionization chambers, Geiger-Mueller counters, scintillation counters, liquid scintillation systems, multi-channel analyzers, gamma counting, personnel dosimeters, and neutron detection.

5%

Laboratory Design

Ventilation systems, hood design, contamination control, and radiopharmaceutical laboratory design including USP 825 requirements.

15%

Standards and Regulations

Risk estimates and communication, permissible doses, NRC regulations, DOT/OSHA/FDA/EPA requirements, ALARA principles, written directives, and medical events reporting.

15%

Structural Shielding

Radiation oncology room design, diagnostic radiology shielding calculations, nuclear medicine facility shielding, and PET/CT shielding considerations.

15%

Radiation Oncology

External beam therapy QA, treatment planning systems, calibration protocols, brachytherapy quality assurance, and radiation safety in therapy departments.

15%

Diagnostic Imaging

Diagnostic X-ray quality assurance, fluoroscopy safety, mammography QC, CT dose optimization, and patient dose management.

15%

Nuclear Medicine (Molecular Imaging)

Radiopharmaceutical handling, gamma camera QC, PET/CT quality assurance, radioactive materials safety, and waste management procedures.

5%

Radiation Biology

Biological effects of ionizing radiation, dose-response relationships, deterministic and stochastic effects, and radiation risks to occupational workers and patients.

5%

Non-ionizing Radiation

MRI safety considerations, RF exposure limits, laser safety, ultraviolet radiation protection, and non-ionizing radiation regulatory requirements.

How to Pass the ABMP Medical Health Physics Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Pass/Fail (set by Board)
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: 4 hours
  • Exam fee: $690

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

ABMP Medical Health Physics Study Tips from Top Performers

1Focus on the five 15%-weighted domains that account for 75% of the exam: Standards/Regulations, Shielding, Radiation Oncology, Diagnostic Imaging, and Nuclear Medicine
2Master NRC regulations thoroughly: know 10 CFR Parts 20, 35, and relevant state regulations for radioactive materials handling
3Study shielding calculation methods for all modality types: therapy vaults, diagnostic rooms, nuclear medicine hot labs, and PET/CT suites
4Review radiation oncology QA protocols: TG-51 calibration, IMRT commissioning, brachytherapy source checks, and treatment planning verification
5Understand diagnostic imaging QC: mammography MQSA requirements, CT dose metrics (CTDIvol, DLP), and fluoroscopy dose management
6Know nuclear medicine safety: radiopharmaceutical handling, spill procedures, waste disposal, and package receipt requirements
7Study radiation detection instrumentation: know operating principles, calibration methods, and appropriate use cases for each detector type
8Review radiation biology fundamentals: LNT model, deterministic vs. stochastic effects, and occupational dose limits

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ABMP Medical Health Physics Part II exam pass rate?

The ABMP publishes annual pass rates. Recent Part II Medical Health Physics pass rates were 44% (2023), 60% (2024), and 57% (2025). This exam is considered challenging due to its breadth across 9 content domains spanning instrumentation, regulations, shielding, and QA for multiple modalities.

Is ABMP MHP certification recognized for RSO eligibility?

Yes. The ABMP Medical Health Physics certification is recognized by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) eligibility. Candidates who meet NRC-related training requirements will receive recognition on their diploma. An MHP Training and Education Form documenting RSO training must be submitted with the Part II application.

What are the prerequisites for the ABMP Medical Health Physics exam?

MHP certification requires passing three parts: Part I (General Medical Physics), Part II (Medical Health Physics), and Part III (oral exam). Part I requires a graduate degree in physics, medical physics, health physics, or a related field. Part II requires professional experience (1-4 years depending on degree), two endorsement letters, and the MHP Training and Education Form. Certified Health Physicists (CHPs) may skip directly to Part III.

How much does the ABMP Medical Health Physics exam cost?

The 2026 ABMP exam fees are: Part I General Medical Physics $390, Part II Medical Health Physics $690, and Part III oral exam $790. PayPal payments add a convenience fee. The total cost for all three parts is approximately $1,870. Certified Health Physicists applying directly to Part III pay only the $790 oral exam fee.

What is the CHP pathway for ABMP MHP certification?

Certified Health Physicists (CHPs) from the American Board of Health Physics may apply directly to the ABMP Part III oral exam for Medical Health Physics, bypassing Parts I and II. They must possess a graduate degree, have acceptable medical health physics experience, and submit endorsements from a board-certified physicist and physician.

How long should I study for the ABMP Medical Health Physics exam?

Most candidates prepare over 3-6 months. Focus study time proportionally: Standards and Regulations, Structural Shielding, Radiation Oncology, Diagnostic Imaging, and Nuclear Medicine each carry 15% weight and together account for 75% of the exam. The remaining 25% covers Instrumentation (10%), Laboratory Design (5%), Radiation Biology (5%), and Non-ionizing Radiation (5%).