Establishing a Radiation Safety Credential for Nuclear Medicine Technologists.

A number of nuclear medicine technologists have specific responsibilities and considerable experience in radiation safety. In many instances, the technologist's level of knowledge regarding radiation safety goes beyond what is typically expected of them. The Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) performed a needs assessment for a radiation safety credential for nuclear medicine technologists. The assessment included the delivery and evaluation of 2 surveys which both indicated that there was interest among nuclear medicine technologists for a specific credential regarding radiation safety. Based on this information, the NMTCB decided to move forward on the development of a content outline and an examination in this regard. It also developed eligibility criteria for those interested in taking the examination. The first administration of the examination occurred in November 2017. This manuscript describes in detail the needs assessment performed prior to the decision to develop the credential as well as the process followed to generate the examination and an analysis of the results of its first administration.