Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board

Marcia Hess Smith

Marcia Hess Smith, CNMT

Congratulations, CT technologists!

The NMTCB recently offered the first CT exam for NMTs. CT has been an integral part of nuclear medicine imaging for many years now, and this new exam provides a pathway to have those skills properly recognized. This exam helps ensure that CT is performed by competent, well-trained NMTs.

On November 15, a total of 102 individuals passed the first exam, with an average passing scaled score of 81.75 (a scaled score of 75 was needed to pass). They now hold the credential of NMTCB(CT).

Of the 102 new CT-credentialed individuals, 94 are certified as CNMTs and 8 are registered ARRT(N)s. Thirteen individuals hold the PET credential, and 6 hold the nuclear cardiology technologist (NCT) credential. Seven individuals hold 4 NMTCB certifications (CNMT, NCT, PET, and NMTCB(CT)).

The next CT exam will be offered April 17, 2015. The application deadline is March 1. As with the other NMTCB exams, we have high standards for eligibility to sit for the NMTCB(CT) exam. All examinees must show proof of education specific to CT. Fortunately, most new NMT graduates meet these educational requirements. All others are required to have a minimum of 35 educational contact hours specific to CT. There must be at least 4 hours in each of the following categories: contrast administration, cross-sectional anatomy, x-ray physics, and CT radiation safety. In addition to classroom hours, examinees must also have 500 clinical hours.

For maintenance of certification, anyone holding the NMTCB(CT) credential must earn 12 continuing education hours specific to CT every 2 years. This is in addition to the 24 hours required to maintain the CNMT credential.

The NMTCB is working with the American College of Radiology, the Joint Commission, and the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission to incorporate the NMTCB(CT) credential into their respective accreditation standards. We are also working with individual states and the Conference of Radiation Control program directors.

Many NMT educational programs have adjusted their curriculum to meet the educational and clinical requirements for students to be eligible to sit for the NMTCB(CT) exam upon graduation. The NMTCB will be offering a $30 discount (from the $180 application fee) for new graduates who apply to take the NMTCB(CT) exam at the same time as the CNMT exam.

The vision of the NMTCB is to be recognized as the certification organization of choice for nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. We currently offer 5 examinations for nuclear medicine professionals: CNMT, PET, NCT, NMTCB(CT), and nuclear medicine advanced associate (NMAA). We work hard to keep our finger on the pulse of the profession to create examinations that are both relevant and necessary for nuclear medicine professionals.