NMTCB Report

Kathy Thomas

I am writing this report at the conclusion of a very productive spring meeting of the NMTCB’s Board of Directors. Multiple topics were addressed or discussed by the Board including SPECT/CT, ethical guidelines, continuing education criteria, task analysis for the entry-level and specialty exams, and the review of qualifications to sit for the specialty exams.

The Board also reviewed the 2004 summary report for the entry-level exam. A record number of candidates sat for the entry-level exam in 2004. Table 1 summarizes the statistics for the entry-level exam in 2003 and 2004.

The number of candidates taking the exam increased 26% between 2002 and 2003, while the percentage increase between 2003 and 2004 was 14%. Although the total number of candidates sitting for the exam continues to rise, the percentage increase shows a decline when comparing 2002 with 2003 and 2003 with 2004. Because the number of Board-recognized nuclear medicine training programs increased from 115 in 2003 to 123 in 2004, it is anticipated that the number of candidates sitting for the entry level exam will remain high and that the NMTCB will continue to certify more qualified and highly trained technologists in coming years.

In 2004, the overall pass rate of our candidates was 83% compared with an 80% overall pass rate for 2003. Table 2 breaks down the overall pass rate by candidate type: regular program graduates, alternate eligibility candidates, and repeaters. The average pass rate of program graduates was 92%, which was a significant increase from the last year’s passing rate of 87%. The average pass rate for alternate eligibility examinees was 78%, a decline from the last year’s passing rate of 82%, and the average pass rate for those taking the exam after a previous failure was 38%, also a slight decline from last year’s pass rate of 41%. These statistics and more have been included in the Annual Program Report and mailed to all program directors.

Exam dates for the 2005 NCT and PET exams have been set for the first 2 weekends in October. The PET exam will be offered on Saturday, October 1, and the NCT exam will be offered the following Saturday, October 8. The exams will be administered simultaneously across the country at ACT testing sites and will begin at 1:00 pm. EDT, 12:00 pm. CDT, 11:00 am. MDT, and 10:00 am. PDT. Visit the NMTCB Web site at www.nmtcb.org for additional information.

The NMTCB continues to receive requests for study guides for the NCT and PET exams. As the accrediting organization, the NMTCB cannot recommend or create study materials for any examination. The SNM, ASNC, and AMI have available resources including reference lists and continuing education programs that will assist you in your studies. Perhaps the best advice that the NMTCB can offer technologists sitting for specialty exams is to download a current copy of the appropriate content outline from the NMTCB Web site at www.nmtcb.org and use that document to develop your study plan. The content outline contains all topics that may be included on the examination. Item writers create questions from the topics on the content outline. If you use that document as your study guide, you will be successful on your examination.

Reporting continuing education credits is voluntary in 2005. If you attend a continuing education program from a professional organization that is not on the NMTCB’s “approved” list, you can request that that organization contact the NMTCB office and ask to be added to the approved list. The process for approval is simple; however, the requesting organization must make the initial request for inclusion. For further information, contact the NMTCB office at board@nmtcb.org or 2970 Clairmont Road, Suite 935, Atlanta, GA 30329, 404-315-1739, fax: 404-315-6502.

The quality of the entry-level and specialty exams is dependent on the dedication and commitment of nuclear medicine professionals that volunteer to write items (questions) for the general nuclear medicine, cardiology, and PET exams. If you would like to help the NMTCB create clinically relevant exams that are reflective of the current practice of nuclear medicine, nuclear cardiology, or PET, please contact the NMTCB office for further information.

Serving as a director of the NMTCB is a very rewarding experience and an excellent opportunity for you to become involved in one of the more challenging areas of your profession—establishing standards of competency. The NMTCB is seeking applicants to serve on the NMTCB Board of Directors. If you are interested in serving as an NMTCB Director, please contact the NMTCB’s Executive Director, Dr. Bhaskar R. Dawadi, at 800-659-3953 or drdawadi@nmtcb.org, for an application. Completed applications received by August 1 will be reviewed at the fall Board of Director’s meeting. The new 4-year term of office will begin January 1, 2006.

I’m always available to answer your questions or discuss your comments or suggestions. Please feel free to contact me at ksthomas@earthlink.net.