The American Board of Nuclear Medicine gave its first certifying examination in 1972 to 1,096 candidates. It was established with the support of the Society of Nuclear Medicine amid considerable conflict involving the American Board of Radiology, the American Board of Internal Medicine, and the American Board of Pathology. As a result of the numerous parties involved, the initial formation of the Board was as a conjoint Board that required the approval of one of its sponsoring Boards for the acceptance of candidates for certification. Conflicting certifications were subsequently established, including the subspecialty certification in Nuclear Radiology by the American Board of Radiology and subspecialty certification in Radioisotopic Pathology by the American Board of Pathology. In 1985, the American Board of Nuclear Medicine was finally relieved of the burden of conjoint Board status and became one of the primary Boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties. There are presently 12 active members of the American Board of Nuclear Medicine, 40 living life members who serve the Board, and 3 deceased life members. As of this date, the Board has certified 4,236 specialists in nuclear medicine and continues to grow and thrive.