
The Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) is celebrating its 25th Anniversary. In 1976 the SNM Technologist Section implemented the NMTCB, and in 1977 the first NMTCB examination was offered. So much has happened since then. The number of NMTCB certified technologists now exceeds 15,000. As the world of nuclear medicine and the nuclear medicine technology changes, the NMTCB mirrors those changes.
One of the changes at the NMTCB is the expansion of examination offerings. In addition to offering the entry-level nuclear medicine technologist examination, the NMTCB also offers a specialty examination in Nuclear Cardiology (NC). The NC examination is now in its third year and will be offered for the first time this year by computer. The paper and pencil examinations will be offered at the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) meeting in Indianapolis on September 13. At the same time at LaserGrade Testing Centers around the country, the examinations will be offered via computer. Since the examination is still relatively new, it can only be offered once a year. An expansion of test offerings will be considered as the item bank grows.
PET and PET/CT examinations are on the horizon. The examination for the hybrid equipment is of immediate importance because in certain parts of the country, there are regulation and licensure issues that prevent nuclear medicine technologists from operating this equipment. If an examination were available that could provide verification of the relevant knowledge base of individuals wishing to operate the hybrid equipment, it might ease the restraints put on those who are currently prohibited from practice. The hybrid examination is being developed in conjunction with the ARRT. It is anticipated that the development process of the PET/CT examinations will serve as an example for development of future examinations on varying types of hybrid equipment.
The NMTCB is also considering changes with respect to requirements for maintaining certification. The annual survey that was conducted with the certification renewals this year resulted in 13,000+ responses out of the 15,000+ surveys distributed. The majority of respondents indicated that they would like to have the NMTCB develop a code of ethics and a discipline procedure for violations of that code. After much investigation and discussion, the NMTCB Board of Directors is developing such a policy. It is anticipated that a draft ethics policy and disciplinary procedure will be presented at the fall meeting of the Board.
In addition to the ethics policy, the NMTCB Board of Directors is developing a continuing education requirement policy. It is anticipated that this requirement will be finalized and notification of the policy will be publicized in time for the billing cycle of 2005. Any changes to requirements will be made available in numerous places but will always be available on the NMTCB Web site. We also encourage you to stop at the NMTCB booth at the SNM Annual Meeting in New Orleans, June 21–25, should you need additional information.
As always, the NMTCB is in need of item writers. Now that there are 4 examinations to develop, the need for examination items is even greater. I encourage each of you to write at least 1 item (examination question) for any or all of the examinations for which you feel comfortable. The items along with the reference should be sent to the NTMCB office. If you have any questions regarding format, please contact the office, and an informational packet will be sent to you.
As the NMTCB celebrates its 25th anniversary, we at the NMTCB wish the Society of Nuclear Medicine a happy 50th anniversary.
CONTACT US
For further information on the NMTCB and its activities, please visit our website at www.nmtcb.org, or contact the NMTCB offices at 2970 Clairmont Rd., Suite 935, Atlanta GA 30329-1634; phone: 404-315-1739; e-mail: board{at}nmtcb.org.