NMTCB Report

The year 2002 was very hectic but productive for the NMTCB. In 2002, NMTCB certified 842 technologists, 122 more than in previous year, which is an increase of 17% over the number certified in 2001. A total of 1071 candidates, an increase of 21%, were qualified to sit for the test in 2002. The average pass rate in 2002 was 79% compared with 82% in 2001. The average pass rate of JRCNMT program graduates was 88% compared with 90% from the last year. The average pass rate for alternate eligibility examinees was 76% compared with 77% last year, and the average pass rate for repeaters was 36% compared with 44% last year. Except for the repeaters’ passing rate, which dropped by 8%, the overall passing rate of 2002 was lowered only by 1–3% compared with the passing rate from the previous year. This small percentage of fluctuation is not out-of-the-ordinary, but we will keep an eye on this trend.

The Board offered its second Nuclear Cardiology examinations in 2002 simultaneously in two locations. A total of 34 and 31 candidates sat for the examinations in Atlanta and Los Angeles, respectively. Thirty-nine of the 65 candidates (60%) passed the examinations with a scaled score of 75 or higher. The overall scaled score ranged from a low of 59 to a high of 92 with a standard deviation of 9 for overall test score. From all the statistical indices received, it is satisfying to say that the test was psychometrically sound and reliable.

The Board has already announced 11 sites besides Indianapolis, IN, the site of the eighth annual convention of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC), for the administration of its next examinations on September 13, 2003. Examinations locations include Tampa, FL; New Orleans, LA; Atlanta, GA; Washington, DC; Worcester, MA; Chicago, IL; Omaha, NE; Denver, CO; Seattle, WA; Las Vegas, NV; and Memphis, TN. However, the examinations will be offered at these locations only if there are at least five candidates registered for a given location. More detailed information will be posted on the NMTCB Web site (www.nmtcb.org) and in other publications. Please contact the NMTCB office if you need further information on the next cardiology examinations, and also let your colleagues who are interested in taking the examinations know about this date.

Task analysis is an important aspect of occupational certification and is done every 5 years to validate the certification examination by incorporating all the changes/developments which occurred in the field within the last 5 years. A comprehensive survey was mailed to 1800 technologists certified by the Board. A total of 746 individuals responded to the survey, a 41% response rate. Thank you to those members who completed the survey and mailed it on time to the office. Your input has been counted and you should be satisfied to know that you have made a difference in the field. All data crunching of this survey was completed in-house. The results of this survey will be published in the June issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology. It will be the basis of our entry-level examination effective March 2004.

The big project our Board is working on for 2003 is the development of a PET examination. Also, in this year the Board will be collaboratively working with the ARRT on a possible PET/CT examination. As general information to our members, the Board is vigorously working towards offering the cardiology examinations via computer for this year. Please visit us at www.nmtcb.org for updates.

One outstanding new director, Michele Beauvais, has been nominated to represent the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties (BPS) and the BPS Specialty Council on Nuclear Pharmacy. She is the current director of the nuclear pharmacy department at William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan. The NMTCB is proud to have this new member on board. We welcome her and look forward to working with her. We are currently awaiting word on the medical physicist nominee to replace Michael V. Yester, PhD, from the American Association of Physicists in Medicine to this Board.

Finally, the Board wishes to acknowledge and thank Dr. Yester, who represented the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, and Vivian Loveless, BCNP, who represented the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties Council on Nuclear Pharmacy. Dr. Yester has served on this Board since 1993, and he was one of the instrumental members in moving our paper and pencil examinations to computer-adaptive testing. Dr. Loveless served 2 terms beginning in 1995. She worked on many committees during her tenure with the Board. Both of them were inspiring, supportive, and easy to work with. They will be missed.

Please visit our Web page at www.nmtcb.org and send your comments or suggestions. We would like to hear from you. Thank you for your continued support.