Form 0920-24IK Physicians reporting outcomes of B Reader Examinations

April 10, 2024

Dear Doctor

:

The NIOSH proficiency examination for classifying radiographs for lung diseases, in which you recently
participated, has been graded. I am sorry to inform you that you did not receive a passing score. A copy of the
examination report is enclosed. The results of your examination have no bearing on any existing authorization as an
A Reader or on any application you may make to become an A Reader.
Based on our current policy, you may repeat the proficiency examination 90 days after the date of your last try. This
examination is available once a month at our Morgantown, West Virginia, facility. A copy of the examination
schedule is enclosed.
Before attempting the examination again, it is recommended that you review the NIOSH Study Syllabus available
online at https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/learning/b-reader/
We no longer use the Social Security Number as your identifier. Your unique NIOSH Reader ID number is:
Please make note of it and use it on all NIOSH-related work that you do.

.

The staff at NIOSH appreciates your interest in occupational health issues, and encourages you to review the
guidance provided at our web site: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/chestradiography/. If you have any questions,
please do not hesitate to contact this office. We will be pleased to assist in any way possible.

Sincerely,

Jennifer L. Orrahood
Health Assessment Specialist
Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program
Surveillance Branch
Respiratory Health Division
NIOSH Reader ID #:
Enclosures

R02.03:C041024A

April 10, 2024

Dear Doctor
The NIOSH proficiency examination for recertification as a NIOSH B Reader, in which you recently participated,
has been graded. I am sorry to inform you that you did not receive a passing score. A copy of the examination
report is enclosed.
On October 31, 2024, your current certification expires and your name will be removed from the CDC Internet
listing of NIOSH-certified B Readers. The results of your examination have no bearing on any existing approval you
may have as an A Reader or on any application you may make to become an A Reader.
We encourage you to reapply for B Reader certification by repeating the B Reader initial examination. This
examination is available once a month at our Morgantown, West Virginia, facility. A copy of the examination
schedule is enclosed. Based on our current policy, you may take the examination as soon as you wish.
Before attempting the examination again, it is recommended that you review the NIOSH Study Syllabus available
online at https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/learning/b-reader/.
We no longer use the Social Security Number as your identifier. Your unique NIOSH Reader ID number is:
Please make note of it and use it on all NIOSH-related work that you do.
The staff at NIOSH appreciates your interest in occupational health issues, and encourages you to review the
guidance provided at our web site: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/chestradiography/. If you have any questions,
please do not hesitate to contact this office. We will be pleased to assist in any way possible.
Sincerely,

Jennifer L. Orrahood
Health Assessment Specialist
Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program
Surveillance Branch
Respiratory Health Division
NIOSH Reader ID #:
Enclosures

R04.03:C041024A

March 11, 2024

Dear Doctor SICO:
You recently took the NIOSH proficiency examination for classifying radiographs for occupational lung
diseases. I am pleased to inform you that your score was sufficient for you to be certified by NIOSH as a
B Reader. A copy of your examination report and your certificate are enclosed. Certification will remain
in effect through the time period noted (five years from date of examination).
As a successful examinee, your name and contact information will be listed on the CDC Internet. You
will be notified of the availability and times of the recertification examination prior to the expiration of
your current certification.
We no longer use the Social Security Number as your identifier. Your unique NIOSH Reader ID number
is:
Please make note of it and use it on all NIOSH-related work that you do.
If you classify chest radiographs under a NIOSH-approved coal mine operator plan for the Coal Workers'
Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP), make sure you read the regulations governing that Program very
carefully (42 CFR Part 37). They are available on our website:
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/cwhsp/default.html
Several key responsibilities concerning CWHSP radiographs are:
1. Only radiographs of coal miners made in compliance with CWHSP regulations should
be sent to NIOSH.
2. Radiographic findings, occupational history, and any other health-related information
obtained about a miner for the CWHSP after they begin employment at a coal mine are
not to be disclosed in a manner which will permit identification of the miner. The only
exceptions to this disclosure are your reports to this office, to the miner, and to the
miner's designated personal physician.
3. There is a strict prohibition against making duplicate radiographs under the CWHSP.
"Retakes" may be done only to replace a substandard radiograph, and all substandard
radiographs are to be sent to NIOSH for destruction. The prohibition against duplicates
also extends to making copies.

R01.05:C031124A

SICO -- Page 2

4. If you are included on an approved coal mine operator plan as a first reader, you will be
the first physician to interpret the radiograph. As such, in addition to completing the
Chest Radiographic Classification Form, you also must contact the miner directly of any
findings, other than pneumoconiosis, which you consider to be of immediate clinical
significance. The date of your notification must be recorded on the Chest Radiographic
Classification Form under Section 4E.
If you classify radiographs for other purposes or programs (non-CWHSP), please be mindful that
recognition of pneumoconiosis can provide an opportunity for preventive interventions, not only for the
affected worker but also for the associated industry, process, agent, or workplace. Physicians and other
health care providers are encouraged, and in some states required, to notify their state of diagnosed or
suspected cases of pneumoconiosis. A chest radiograph classified or otherwise interpreted as consistent
with pneumoconiosis is often considered sufficient evidence to require reporting. If you are not already
aware of your state reporting requirements, you should contact your state to be apprised of any reporting
requirements that are required. I also recommend that you advise individuals who have requested
classifications from you (e.g., professional colleagues or administrators of medical surveillance
programs) about their possible reporting responsibilities.
The staff at NIOSH appreciates your interest in occupational health issues, and encourages you to review
the guidance provided at our web site: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/chestradiography/. If you have
any questions, please do not hesitate to contact this office. We will be pleased to assist in any way
possible.

Sincerely,

Jennifer L. Orrahood
Health Assessment Specialist
Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program
Surveillance Branch
Respiratory Health Division

Certification period: 04/01/2024 to 03/31/2029
NIOSH Reader ID #:
Enclosures

R01.05:C031124A

June 10, 2024

Dear Doctor
You recently took the NIOSH proficiency examination for recertification as a B Reader. I am pleased
to inform you that your score was sufficient for you to be recertified by NIOSH as a B Reader. A copy
of your examination report and your certificate are enclosed. Certification will remain in effect
through the time period noted (five years from date of examination).
As a successful examinee, your name and contact information will be listed on the CDC Internet. You
will be notified of the availability and times of the recertification examination prior to the expiration
of your current certification.
We no longer use the Social Security Number as your identifier. Your unique NIOSH Reader ID
number is:
Please make note of it and use it on all NIOSH-related work that you do.
If you classify chest radiographs under a NIOSH-approved coal mine operator plan for the Coal
Workers' Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP), make sure you read the regulations governing that
Program very carefully (42 CFR Part 37). They are available on our website:
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/cwhsp/default.html
Several key responsibilities concerning CWHSP radiographs are:
1. Only radiographs of coal miners made in compliance with CWHSP regulations should
be sent to NIOSH.
2. Radiographic findings, occupational history, and any other health-related information
obtained about a miner for the CWHSP after they begin employment at a coal mine are
not to be disclosed in a manner which will permit identification of the miner. The only
exceptions to this disclosure are your reports to this office, to the miner, and to the
miner's designated personal physician.
3. There is a strict prohibition against making duplicate radiographs under the CWHSP.
"Retakes" may be done only to replace a substandard radiograph, and all substandard
radiographs are to be sent to NIOSH for destruction. The prohibition against duplicates
also extends to making copies.

R03.05:C061024A

DELCLOS -- Page 2

4. If you are included on an approved coal mine operator plan as a first reader, you will be
the first physician to interpret the radiograph. As such, in addition to completing the
Chest Radiographic Classification Form, you also must contact the miner directly of any
findings, other than pneumoconiosis, which you consider to be of immediate clinical
significance. The date of your notification must be recorded on the Chest Radiographic
Classification Form under Section 4E.
If you classify radiographs for other purposes or programs (non-CWHSP), please be mindful that
recognition of pneumoconiosis can provide an opportunity for preventive interventions, not only for
the affected worker but also for the associated industry, process, agent, or workplace. Physicians and
other health care providers are encouraged, and in some states required, to notify their state of
diagnosed or suspected cases of pneumoconiosis. A chest radiograph classified or otherwise
interpreted as consistent with pneumoconiosis is often considered sufficient evidence to require
reporting. If you are not already aware of your state reporting requirements, you should contact your
state to be apprised of any reporting requirements that are required. I also recommend that you advise
individuals who have requested classifications from you (e.g., professional colleagues or
administrators of medical surveillance programs) about their possible reporting responsibilities.
The staff at NIOSH appreciates your interest in occupational health issues, and encourages you to
review the guidance provided at our web site: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/chestradiography/. If
you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact this office. We will be pleased to assist in
any way possible.

Sincerely,

Jennifer L. Orrahood
Health Assessment Specialist
Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program
Surveillance Branch
Respiratory Health Division
Certification period: 09/01/2024 to 08/31/2029
NIOSH Reader ID #:
Enclosures

R03.05:C061024A