Program Graduate Application Instructions

Introduction to Application Instructions

This information will familiarize you with the NMTCB's application and examination administration procedures. It is important that you understand and follow the procedures outlined in this web page. Read the entire application instructions carefully before completing and submitting your application. You are responsible for knowing its contents. Retain these instructions for reference and contact the NMTCB office at the address on the home page if you have any questions. The NMTCB application and instructions are revised and printed annually to reflect changes in policies and eligibility requirements. Please contact the NMTCB office if you would like to receive a printed copy of the application and instructions booklet.

The NMTCB does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, physical impairment, marital status, or national origin.

The NMTCB follows current policy on eligibility requirements. For current policy see Eligibility Requirements.

Introduction to the NMTCB

A new era for nuclear medicine technologist certification began September 15, 1978 with the administration of the first NMTCB examination to 652 candidates at 24 test sites across the United States. This examination has been updated and re-administered at least annually since 1978. The NMTCB examination has been designed to test the application of knowledge necessary for competent performance at entry-level into nuclear medicine technology.

In 1977, the NMTCB was established as an independent certifying board primarily because two important needs were not being satisfied by the credentialing mechanisms then available to nuclear medicine technologists. The first need was one of identity. Nuclear medicine technology was not recognized as a distinct and separate professional entity, partly because nuclear medicine credentials were offered by other professional organizations mainly focused on other specialties. It became apparent during the 1970’s that the knowledge and skills required in nuclear medicine technology necessitated a unique background and training. The second need was for an examination that reflected current practice and the entire scope of practice for nuclear medicine technology.

Charged to satisfy these two needs of our profession, the NMTCB was founded and dedicated to the development and administration of a certification examination. Recognizing the need for professional psychometric expertise, the NMTCB contracted with a nationally recognized computerized test administration service for examination development and administration services. Based on their recommendations and other pertinent information, the NMTCB committed itself to developing a competency-based, criterion-referenced certification examination.

As testing theory evolved, the NMTCB became aware of the advantages of Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT). Scheduling flexibility, higher quality images, faster results, and a shorter examination while maintaining a high standard of testing were the primary reasons that the NMTCB chose to implement CAT in 1996. The NMTCB examination is available year-round.

Introduction to CAT & CCT

Testing theory has evolved to a high degree in recent years. Although some of the theory behind the new testing mechanisms has been in existence for a number of years, the prevalence of computers has made it possible to use these new techniques in a more global manner. A primary benefit of computerized tests is to provide a greater flexibility to the examinee in scheduling.

Since nuclear medicine is image oriented, it has always been a goal of the Board to employ more and better images as part of the testing procedure. The use of computers presents a good vehicle for accomplishing this goal. In addition, computer testing permits faster scoring and reporting results.

A newer type of testing is Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT). In essence the computer adapts to the knowledge of the individual and asks a sufficient number of questions to determine how well the candidate knows the material. The computer selects the questions in a random fashion, so two individuals taking the exam at the same time will not see the same questions. Likewise, an individual taking the exam at a later date will not see the same exam. This makes it possible to have a variable schedule of examinations, and yet maintain a high standard of testing. The NMTCB employs a particular form of CAT, called Computerized Classification Testing or CCT, which aims to make a single accurate decision on the examinee’s pass/fail status.

In CCT, an individual whose performance is significantly above or below the passing score will require fewer questions for classification. On the other hand, an individual whose performance is not clearly identified will need to answer more questions to demonstrate the required knowledge to pass the exam. The classification process will not be obvious to the examinee since there will be a certain number of unscored pretest questions that will be asked to obtain statistics on new questions for future use. The time for the examination process using CAT is shorter than the standard paper-and-pencil exams but the variable length of the exam allows for a sufficient number of questions to accurately classify a candidate.

One of the benefits of the computer examination is that the examinee’s test results will be available at the test site upon completion of the exam. The official notification of results, conferral of CNMT Certification, annual certification card, and Exam certificate will be mailed to the successful examinee by the NMTCB office. Another benefit is that the Board offers the CAT certification exam year-round in order to provide the maximum scheduling flexibility and convenience for examinees. Application for the examination may be submitted at any time, but must be submitted at least two (2) months prior to the desired testing date. Once a candidate has been approved, three (3) months will be allowed in which to take the exam. When determined eligible, the applicant will receive a letter listing available test site locations and the telephone numbers to call to schedule an individual testing appointment at a convenient time and location.

At the test site, each examinee is assigned a testing station which consists of an individual carrel with a computer, keyboard, mouse, monitor with an adjustable screen and chair. The monitors are checked according to a quality control checklist. Thus, another advantage in computerized testing is the ability to provide a uniform environment.

After being checked in at the test site, the examinee will complete a short tutorial on the computer that explains the test taking process. The examinee will have as much time as is needed to go through the tutorial to be certain that the process is understood. The candidate will then have the full time allotted for the exam. Test site personnel are available to assist as needed. A complete history file of all candidates is maintained and it is possible to verify score responses upon request within a reasonable time.

Application Procedures

Examination Dates, Fees, Times, and Deadlines

The NMTCB Examination is offered year-round. The examination processing fee is $200.00. Applications and the required fee must be received two (2) months before the desired test date. Application receipt dates are used to determine the beginning of the application cycle.

Once you have been found eligible to sit for the exam, you will receive a confirmation email that you need to take with you to your test. Please print this email and bring with you to the test site. If you misplace this email, you may login to the IQT site where you registered and print another copy. If you need to change your appointment, you may login to your account and change your appointment within the existing (3) month window you were assigned. Please note that if you need to reschedule an existing appointment, you will be charged a processing fee by IQT at the time you reschedule.

To schedule, you must follow the instructions you receive via the confirmation email. During the summer and fall heavy testing months, early appointment scheduling prior to your preferred date is strongly recommended. If a candidate fails to appear for a scheduled day and time, the candidate must reactivate his or her authorization and pay another $200.00 fee. If a candidate fails to make an appointment for the examination within the three (3) months, the candidate must re-activate his or her authorization and pay $100.00 to initiate another testing cycle.

Example Dates

Application Received	Processed	Testing Period
April 22	Authorization email sent by June 22	June 22 to September 22

The Application Form

Read all instructions in this web page carefully before submitting an application. Incomplete applications delay processing and may affect eligibility.

NMT Training Program Graduate Applicants

NMT Program graduates must complete the "Program Graduate Section" of the online application or complete and mail to us the printable application. Graduates of approved nuclear medicine technology programs are eligible to take the NMTCB Certification Examination. Refer to the NMTCB recognized nuclear medicine technology program table to find your school. Enter the name of the school and the school code in the appropriate section on the application form. If your school is not listed in this table, contact the NMTCB office.

If you have not graduated at the time of completing the application, please be reminded that you will not receive your authorization letter until we verify that you have completed all clinical and didactic requirements for graduation. Your program director has the option to allow students to apply under the “Early Scheduling” rules, which allows the student to set up the exam appointment prior to graduation (although the actual exam date must be after graduation). Early Scheduling requires the following:

1. The Program Director must send in all students applications together (one mailing) with the completed “early scheduling form” at least two months prior to their program completion date.
2. The Program Director must contact NMTCB immediately if any student fails to meet the requirements for program completion.

Applicants with a Disability

The NMTCB will make every reasonable effort to accommodate applicants for the Certification Examination who have a disability as that term is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

An applicant who wishes to request modifications in the environment because of a disability must notify the NMTCB in writing at the time of application and provide appropriate documentation about the disability and the needed modification. Applications received without appropriate documentation will be processed without testing accommodations.

To ensure that the appropriate accommodations are provided for your disability, you must provide current documentation of your condition as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants must show documentation containing a recommendation of reasonable accommodation(s) that has been obtained from an appropriate licensed medical professional or qualified diagnostician within the past 5 years. Applications received without appropriate documentation will be processed without testing accommodations.

The supporting documentation must be submitted in sufficient time to make proper arrangements to take the examination under conditions which will accurately reflect the applicant's achievement level. Requests for modifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Requests for testing accommodations will be reviewed and decision will be made to approve or deny the request within 20 business days. If NMTCB denies a request for accommodations, applicants will be given the reason(s) for denial in writing and will be provided an opportunity to appeal or to discuss alternative accommodations.

Reactivation of Application

In order to be deemed eligible to sit for the examination, candidates must meet the current eligibility requirements. Eligible candidates may repeat the examination by reactivating their eligibility with a written request to the NMTCB along with the current processing fee.

The following policies apply when an examinee fails the entry-level examination :

• After the first failure, you may apply to retake the exam as soon as two weeks following the date of the first failure.
• After a second failure, you may apply to retake the exam as soon as two weeks following the date of the second failure.
• After a third failure, you must document satisfactory completion of a minimum of fifteen (15) contact hours of coursework in each of the following areas: radiopharmacy, nuclear medicine instrumentation and radiation safety. Only coursework from an accredited college or university, accredited nuclear medicine program or approved continuing education credits recognized by NMTCB, such as VOICE/ECE, will be accepted. See Didactic Coursework.
  The examinee may then go through the three steps above again (i.e., three additional attempts to pass the exam).
• After a total of six unsuccessful attempts to pass the exam, you must successfully complete an approved nuclear medicine technology training program to become eligible to retake the examination.

Applicants who were determined ineligible to take the examination, but who later meet the current eligibility requirements, may reapply, pay the current processing fee and reactivate their application.

Candidates who fail to make an appointment within the three (3) month testing cycle allowed may reactivate their eligibility by paying a reactivation fee of $100.00, based on meeting current eligibility requirements. Candidates who failed to appear for an appointment at a testing center may reactivate their eligibility by paying the full processing fee of $200.00, based on meeting current eligibility requirements. The full processing fee is required because the testing center charges the full fee to the NMTCB if a candidate fails to appear for the appointment or fails to change the appointment within the allowable time.

When reactivating your eligibility, your request should include your current name, the name used on your original application (if changed), NMTCB file number, address and phone number, and date of last examination in your request.

Name, Address, or Email Change

If you change your name, address or email address after submitting your application, you must inform the NMTCB in writing immediately. Documentation is required for name changes. If the NMTCB is not promptly notified, you may not receive your authorization letter to take the examination, your official score report and certification card may be delayed or your certificate may be incorrectly prepared, resulting in a replacement cost. Your cooperation will ensure the most expeditious receipt of your NMTCB certificate.

Replacement of Authorization Letter

If you lose your printed candidate admission email you may reprint it by logging in to your account with the username and password that is provided in your confirmation email. Please note that the username and password are case sensitive.

Submitting Your Application

Apply online, or send your completed application with a check or money order for the examination processing fee of $200.00 to:

NMTCB
Examinations Manager
3558 Habersham at Northlake, Bldg. I
Tucker, GA 30084

Please submit your application well before your desired testing date. Applications are processed in the order received.

Application Processing

Acknowledgement of Application

Once the NMTCB has received your completed application and fees, an acknowledgement email will be sent to you. Please be certain that we have a current email address that you will continue to maintain throughout the examination process.
Acknowledgement does not imply eligibility to sit for the examination. If you have not received this email within three weeks after you submitted the application, please contact the NMTCB office for instructions.

Credentials Verification

Once the NMTCB has received a complete application, it is processed. Verification of graduation status of NMT program applicants is determined by a letter sent to their program director. All verifications must be returned by the program director. You MUST have fulfilled all graduation requirements to sit for the certification examination and the NMTCB will not mail your authorization letter until the verification has been received. Early scheduling applicants will receive their authorization letters 3-4 weeks prior to graduation.

Discrepant Information

You will be notified by letter, telephone, or facsimile of any discrepancies between the information provided on your application and the information the NMTCB is able to verify. Any unresolved discrepancies may cause you to be determined ineligible to sit for the examination and result in postponement of your examination or permanent disqualification.

Eligible Applicants

You will be emailed a username, password and instructions for scheduling your examination upon verification of your credentials. This email will contain a link to IQT where you will login and schedule your appointment. You will be provided with a list of test sites and available examination times. Once you have scheduled your appointment, you will be able to print your admission letter. Take your admission letter and a currently valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, etc.) to the test site when reporting for your appointment. Eligible candidates will have three (3) months in which to schedule an individual appointment and take the examination at one of the test sites. Preliminary test results will be available at the test site following the exam. Failure to take the exam within the three (3) months eligibility period will invalidate your eligibility and you will be required to reactivate your eligibility with an additional reactivation fee described above. If you have not received the admission letter from IQT within one week of scheduling the date of your exam please log into your account through IQT to download and print this admission letter or contact IQT directly at 1-866-773-1114 to request another admission letter be emailed to you.

Ineligible Applicants

You will be notified in writing of any item(s) necessary to complete your file. All materials must be completed and received by the NMTCB office in a timely manner or you will be determined ineligible. Ineligible applicants will be notified of the circumstances regarding the ineligibility determination. No refunds are given. It is to your advantage to submit your application prior to your desired test date in case clarification is required.

Withdrawal from the Examination

The application fee is nonrefundable. If you fail to show up for your examination at the scheduled time, do not have the proper identification, or do not have your admission document, you will not be allowed to sit for your exam. You will be considered a "No-Show", your examination fees will be forfeited, and you will be required to re-register and pay all fees prior to sitting for the exam. However, if an issue arises that prohibits you from making it to your scheduled exam, you may reschedule prior to (5) calendar days before your scheduled exam date by contacting IQT at 1-866-773-1114. You may be required to pay a rescheduling fee to process your request. If it is less than (5) calendar days, you will not be allowed to cancel or reschedule your exam unless one of the following 4 situations have occurred:

• Jury Duty
• Death in the immediate family
• Military Deployment
• Sickness

The immediate family is defined as a person's grandparents, parents, spouses, siblings and children.

If you experience any of the above, you MUST provide IQT with proper documentation before being rescheduled to a new date. Documentation must be submitted to IQT within 10 calendar days of your missed examination or it will not be considered for a reschedule.  If none of the above are the reason for wanting to reschedule or cancel your exam less than 5 days prior to your exam date, then you will not be allowed to reschedule or cancel your exam.

If your area is experiencing inclement weather, it is your responsibility to contact your testing center to confirm if it is closed or delayed in opening. Most likely there will be a voice message on the testing center’s phone system to notify candidates of any change in business hours during the inclement weather. If you are unable to take your examination due to the inclement weather, you must contact IQT directly at 1-866-773-1114 or 1-727-733-1110 to reschedule your examination for a later date.

It is your responsibility to cancel the appointment within the guidelines. Keep a record of the date, time and the name of the person handling the call.

Candidates who fail to make an appointment during the eligibility period may extend the eligibility period by an additional three calendar months one time for a fee of $100.00 USD. This request must be submitted in writing to NMTCB. Candidates who fail to sit for the exam within one calendar year of eligibility approval will be required submit the full application fee in order to be reactivate the application based on meeting eligibility criteria.

RETURNED CHECKS

Checks returned by the bank to the NMTCB office for any reason are subject to a $45.00 returned check fee. The returned check fee and the replacement fee must be submitted in certified funds only (money order, cashier’s check, etc.). A personal check cannot be accepted as replacement. All NMTCB financial obligations must be met before the authorization letter is sent.

NMTCB ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

All eligibility standards required to sit for the entry-level examination must be completed within the 5 year period immediately after the candidate’s program completion. A candidate must show documented evidence of having completed ONE of the following in the previous five years:

1. Completion of a NMTCB recognized nuclear medicine technology program
2. Completion of an accredited nuclear medicine technology program culminating in a Certificate, Associate, Baccalaureate, or Master's degree. Educational programs must have structured clinical training sufficient to provide clinical competency in radiation safety, instrumentation, clinical procedures, and radiopharmacy. The NMTCB currently recognizes the following organizations responsible for programmatic oversight:
   • Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT)
   • Armed Forces Military Training Commands
   • Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT)
   • Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine (ANZSNM)

Examination Content

To ensure the relevancy of the examination to career-entry practice, the NMTCB has developed and maintains a comprehensive task analysis that defines those tasks which are expected to be performed during the first year of practice. The comprehensive list of tasks generated through task analysis is divided into five groups. Each group is assigned a percentage by the expert opinion of the Board of Directors. The five groups and the percentages are as follows: I. Radiation Physics & Detection (7%), II. Radiation safety and Regulations (13%), III. Pharmaceutical and Radiopharmaceutical Agents (25%), IV. Instrumentation Operation & Quality Control (15%), and V. Clinical Procedures (40%) . This task analysis is an ongoing activity and is validated to determine current practice. Based on the results of the validation study, tasks may be added or deleted from the entry-level domain, and the examination matrix (blueprint) and item bank are revised and updated accordingly.

The purpose of the NMTCB’s nuclear medicine exam is to determine whether a candidate has sufficient knowledge to perform the duties and responsibilities required of an entry level nuclear medicine technologist. The objective of the examination is to distinguish those individuals that are minimally competent to perform all the routine tasks in a nuclear medicine department from those that are not.

Examination Format

The NMTCB certification examination consists exclusively of 4-5 option multiple choice items. Each item includes a keyed (correct) response and 3-4 distractors (incorrect responses). Examination items are submitted by members of the NMTCB Board of Directors and nuclear medicine Subject Matter Experts. NMTCB Certificants are allowed to voluntarily submit potential exam items they author via the Item Writer Online Submission portal. Once items are submitted to the Board, each item undergoes a series of quality control measures. Board of Directors thoroughly review newly written items for appropriateness and accuracy of the content, potential candidate bias, the quality of any images used, and other psychometric issues related to the language/grammar and test-wiseness. Sample questions can be viewed on the NMTCB web site Sample Questions.

The test is offered on computers at IQT Testing Centers located throughout the country as well as many other parts of the world. When taking the test, examinees see items in a random content order. Candidates may not skip a test question, and are not permitted to return to an item. Candidates are permitted to change their answers before the moving on, at which time the item is scored by the computer.

Preparation

Applicants frequently ask for assistance in preparing for the NMTCB examination. While it is not possible for the NMTCB to recommend specific study materials, the following information may help in your preparation.

The NMTCB examination is task-oriented. This means that the examination does not test the recall of basic knowledge but tests the application of such knowledge to nuclear medicine technology practice. For example, the mode of radioactive decay and interactions of radiation and matter are not tested. Knowledge of these two areas, however, can be applied in choosing appropriate shielding for radioactive materials or selecting the optimum collimator for imaging. The job-related tasks included on the NMTCB examination are outlined in the Components of Preparedness (COP) Statements.

Copies of this document are provided to program directors and are available from the NMTCB office upon request. Applicants should review these documents carefully.

Applicants can best prepare for the NMTCB examination by:

• Reviewing their practical experience and comparing it to those tasks outlined in the Task Analysis to identify strengths and weaknesses.
• Reviewing a current textbook of nuclear medicine technology and issues of recent nuclear medicine technology journals. [While the NMTCB does not address research topics, teaching editorials and continuing education articles appearing in a recent journal may provide a useful review of current clinical practice.]
• Reviewing all tasks that make up the NMTCB Examination Matrix.
• Reviewing the Components of Preparedness (COP) statements that relate to each task.

Examination Administration Procedures

Test Sites

The NMTCB certification examination is offered through IQT Testing Centers. These centers are managed by Iso-Quality Testing (IQT). A list of the testing centers and their locations is available to NMTCB candidates on the IQT website www.isoqualitytesting.com/locations.aspx.

Admission to the Test Site

Procedures have been established to ensure that examination integrity and security are maintained:

1. You must show your candidate admission letter to the examination supervisor and have your signature verified by the examination supervisor;
2. You must provide current, valid photo identification bearing your signature. Examples are a valid driver's license, government (including state) issued identification card or passport;
3. Your name and social security number will be verified against the examinee roster and the examination supervisor will assign you a computer carrel.
4. All computer carrels are clearly visible by test site personnel. You will be monitored as you take the examination. If you have questions during the tutorial, test site personnel can assist you. Once the examination has started, test site personnel cannot answer any questions.
5. Computer experience is NOT necessary for an individual to be able to complete the examination. A practice tutorial will guide the candidate in answering sample questions. The candidate will be able to use the keyboard or a mouse to signify an answer.
6. You cannot skip an answer to a question. You may change your answer but once you choose to move on, you may not return to the question.

Examination Security

Examination security includes sign-in rosters, lockers, and proctoring but may also include, but not limited to, sleeve checks, metal detecting, pocket checks, and spyware checks (e.g. cameras in glasses). Failure to follow candidate instructions will result in your application being voided and forfeiture of your application fee. Conduct that results in violation of security or disrupts the administration of the examination could result in cancellation of your examination and dismissal from the testing center. In addition, your examination will be considered void and will not be scored. Examples of misconduct include, but are not limited to, the following: writing on anything other than the IQT Authorized Scratch Paper provided to you, looking at another candidate's computer monitor, or talking with other candidates anytime during the entire examination period. Do not bring notes, books, or papers of any kind. Cellular phones and beepers are prohibited in the testing area. The use of headphones inside the testing area is prohibited. Electrical outlets will not be available for any reason. Earplugs for sound suppression are allowed. Any candidate who is observed violating test center rules will be subject to dismissal from the examination, may be barred from future examinations and may be required to forfeit his/her current examination fee(s). Refer to the Authorized Materials List in the candidate admission letter for authorized materials allowed during the examination.

The NMTCB Examination is copyrighted and owned by the NMTCB. Any attempt to reproduce any portion of the examination is prohibited by law and violators will be vigorously prosecuted.

Use of Calculators

Examinees will not be provided with a calculator at the test site and are responsible for bringing their own device to their appointment. Calculators are allowed only if they are noiseless and battery or solar-powered. No provisions or time will be allowed or given to repair or replace broken calculators. You may not share calculators. Calculators capable of storing text (i.e., a key for every letter in the alphabet) will not be allowed by test site personnel. You will be observed at all times while taking the examination. This will include direct observation by test site personnel.

Examinee Comments

The NMTCB values and welcomes your opinions and comments on the examination facilities, examination application and administration procedures, and the examination itself. Following the examination, you will be given an opportunity to make comments. All comments are later summarized and presented to the Board of Directors. In addition, you may send a letter of concern by writing the NMTCB office directly and referring to the examination date, examination site, and specific issue(s) of concern. If you have comments about particular examination questions, please try to restate the question as accurately as possible in the letter to the NMTCB office. The Board of Directors will review all comments and send a reply, if possible.

Guessing

Results on the NMTCB Examination are based on the number of questions answered correctly. No points are subtracted for incorrect responses; there is no penalty for guessing. You must answer every question even if you are not sure of the answer. The computer will not allow you to continue to the next question without answering the question on the screen. If you are not sure of the correct answer, make your best guess and move on to the next question.

The Passing Standard

The NMTCB uses a criterion-reference standard to ensure a consistent standard of competency. A criterion-reference standard means that passing or failing depends solely upon a candidate’s level of performance on the particular questions that are presented by the design of the test. The test design includes the coverage of specific content. Because of the test design, the computer does not always select a harder question when you answer a question correctly and an easier one when you miss it. The number of questions on the exam from each group is based on the percentage of tasks each of the five groups is of the total number of tasks. Once the minimum number of questions has been answered, testing stops when: (1) a candidate’s performance is determined as being either above or below the passing standard with a predetermined level of certainty: (2) the maximum number of questions have been asked; or, (3) the time limit has been reached. Pre-test questions are seamlessly incorporated into the examination. It is important to understand that each candidate has ample opportunity to demonstrate true competence and is given an examination that conforms to the NMTCB test plan. Your official test results letter will include a scaled score along with other performance measures.

Exam Results

Preliminary test results (Pass/Fail) will be available at the test site following the exam. Your final score will be mailed to you approximately three weeks after the examination. No examination results will be given over the telephone under any circumstances.

If you move after taking the examination, notify the NMTCB office promptly to ensure timely receipt of your results. Be sure to file a forwarding order with the post office.

Rescoring

Strict quality control procedures are performed to ensure the accuracy of the examination results reported. You may have your examination manually rescored for a fee. Any requests for rescoring must be made in writing within two (2) months of receipt of the original official score report and must include the rescoring fee of $50.00 (made payable to the NMTCB). Rescoring very seldom changes reported score results.

Confidentiality/Release of Information

Candidate application status and examination results are held confidential. Without the prior approval of candidates, no score results or examination status is released to the public. However, to assist program directors and medical directors to better evaluate the effectiveness of nuclear medicine technology programs, examination results will be sent to program officials. These results assist in further strengthening curriculum and clinical experiences provided. The NMTCB will verify, upon request from employer and state licensing agencies, whether or not an individual has an active certificate.

Taking the Examination

1. To schedule, the candidate must login online with the username and password that is provided to you by email. Scheduling your appointment well in advance of your desired date is strongly recommended during the summer and fall heavy testing periods. Take your authorization letter with you. Bring at least one current (not expired) piece of photo identification with your signature, such as a driver's license, Government Issued ID Card, Military ID card, or passport. No examination candidate will be admitted to the examination site without proper identification and will forfeit the entire exam fee. The name on your photo ID must match the name on your admission letter.
2. You will have one hour and fifty-five minutes to complete a total of 90 questions. Plan your time carefully. You are encouraged to bring a wristwatch. You will be notified 15 minutes before the end of your time. The examination includes a number of non-scored pre-test questions which are seamlessly incorporated into the exam. You cannot skip a question. You can change an answer but once you move on, you cannot return to a question. Testing stops when 90 questions have been asked, or the time limit is reached.
3. Scratch paper will be provided at the test center for the use of making notes during the exam. Do not bring notes, books, or papers of any kind.
4. Calculators are permitted only if they are noiseless and battery or solar-powered. No provisions or time will be allowed or given to repair or replace broken calculators. You may not share calculators. Calculators capable of storing text (i.e., a key for each letter of the alphabet) will not be permitted by test site personnel.
5. You must contact the testing company no later than noon of five business days prior to your appointment to be able to change your appointment. You may reschedule by logging into your account and pay the $25 rescheduling fee at that time. If you wait longer than five business days, additional fees will apply. If you do not schedule an appointment within the three (3) month eligibility period, you will have to reactivate your authorization, apply and pay an additional examination fee.
6. A comment section is provided at the end of the examination. After you have finished, we encourage you to comment on the examination, examination site, test site personnel, or any aspect of our credentialing program.
7. If you need to leave the room during the examination, all examination materials must be surrendered to the test site supervisor until your return. You may not make up lost time. Only one examinee at a time may leave the room.
8. Notify the test site supervisor in case of sudden illness. If you withdraw from the examination due to illness, your examination will be scored.
9. At the end of the examination, you will have the option of viewing your preliminary results on the screen. If you finish the examination early, you may leave early. Written preliminary examination results will be given to you before you leave the test site.
10. If your examination attempt is successful, a certificate packet will be mailed to you after the NMTCB receives your examination results. Included in the packet will be a pocket card that is good for three months after your examination date. You will also receive a renewal in your certification packet. Once you complete the renewal and return it to the NMTCB, your certification will be good through your next birth month.
11. If your examination attempt is unsuccessful, a score report and a ranking of your relative performance by content area will be mailed to you after the NMTCB receives your e xamination results. If you are eligible for another attempt to retake the examination, a Reactivation Form will be mailed to you along with the score report at that time.
12. No examination results will be given over the telephone under any circumstances. If you move after taking the examination, notify the NMTCB office promptly to ensure timely receipt of official notification of results, conferral of CNMT Certification, annual certification card, and certificate. Be sure to file a forwarding order with the post office.

See Sample Questions

Privileges and Responsibilities

Privileges of Certification

Passing the NMTCB Certification Examination entitles you to certain privileges and obligates you to fulfill certain responsibilities. These are summarized below:

CERTIFICATE: The most immediate benefit of certification is your certificate which will be mailed to you in approximately three (3) weeks after successful completion of the examination.
CREDENTIALS: Upon certification, you will also be granted the right to use the title, Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist and the credential CNMT after your name.
ANNUAL CARD AND YEAR SEAL: A personalized pocket-size annual identification card and year seal will be mailed to you after you receive your examination results. Most certificants attach the year seal to their certificate and carry the pocket identification card with them. The pocket identification card is a convenient method to provide your employer, governmental agencies and others with documentation that you are certified and registered in nuclear medicine. An updated pocket identification card and year seal will be mailed to you annually upon payment of the annual registration fees.
DIRECTORY LISTING: The names of all currently registered certificants are listed in the "NMTCB Directory of Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologists", on the NMTCB website. The directory is made available only to other NMTCB certificants.
NMTCB NEWSLETTER: The NMTCB NEWS, published semi-annually, is provided to all certificants. NMTCB NEWS covers topics of concern to certified technologists, trends in NMT education, developments in health care, nationwide salary comparisons, and other professional information.

Responsibilities of Certification

ANNUAL REGISTRATION: Perhaps the greatest responsibility of certification is annual registration. Once you are certified by the NMTCB, you remain certified and certification cannot be revoked without due process. It is necessary for you to register your certification annually with the NMTCB. Your annual registration fee pays for the privileges you enjoy as an NMTCB Certificant. More importantly, your annual registration fee supports the certification process for nuclear medicine professionals, thereby enhancing the profession of nuclear medicine technology.

NMTCB Policies

The following NMTCB policies are available in their entirety online.

Continuing Competence Policy

The Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) was founded in 1977 to establish and maintain a voluntary program for certification of nuclear medicine technologists by nuclear medicine technologists. The standards established by the NMTCB include educational requirements, practical experience, and successful completion of an appropriate competency-based examination.

The NMTCB certifies individuals whom have developed the requisite body of knowledge to practice nuclear medicine technology, and registers those individuals who meet these criteria. A certificate granted by the NMTCB signifies recognition that an individual has met certification qualifications set forth by the NMTCB, including, but not limited to education, experience, examination, and good moral character.

The NMTCB's ongoing purpose is to establish and maintain professional standards of practice which assure that nuclear medicine technologists who hold a Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT) credential from the NMTCB are properly educated, hold valid/current certifications, practice within their scope of practice, and continue to receive ongoing training throughout their careers. Through the certification process, a certificant is responsible to the certification board for the services and care that he or she provides while employed or practicing as a CNMT.

The NMTCB entry-level examination for CNMTs is a test of knowledge. There is a common set of core knowledge, skills, and abilities consistent with contemporary practice that all nuclear medicine technologists should be able to demonstrate as a part of continuing competence. However, the knowledge base for nuclear medicine technology continues to change. Therefore, persons certified by the NMTCB must also demonstrate a continued accumulation of knowledge about the field. The purpose of this requirement is to assist in assuring safe and effective practices in the provision of nuclear medicine technology to the public.

Knowledge and skills required for competent and professional performance in nuclear medicine technology evolve and change over time. The purpose of recertification is to:

1. Encourage continued professional development and
2. Ensure continuing competence in the field of nuclear medicine technology.

NMTCB approaches continuing competence with a multi-step approach. NMTCB ensures an active CNMT's continuing competence by requiring a recertification process that includes prescriptive amounts of continuing education. Twenty-four continuing education hours are required from each CNMT certificant over the course of every two years. The annual renewal statement requires certificants to attest to their current CE status. Excess CE credits (more than the number of hours required for the current CE Cycle) may not be carried over into the next CE Cycle.

Continuing Education Rationale

Certificants must document involvement in educational activities in order to demonstrate continued competence in the field of nuclear medicine and/or the specialty area in which they are certified by the NMTCB. Continuing competence is defined as the ability to provide service at specified levels of knowledge and skill, not only at the time of initial certification, but throughout an individual's professional career.

Continuing competence of health care professionals is of the utmost importance to a diverse range of stakeholders including the public, health care providers, regulatory bodies, employers, insurers, and professional associations. These individuals rely on the NMTCB certification to denote that the technologist who is credentialed as a CNMT has been assessed in terms of their competence to practice the profession of nuclear medicine technology.

Methods:

Nuclear Medicine Technologists (CNMT)

NMTCB certificants will be required to demonstrate continued competence by completing a combination of the following in order to achieve a total of 24 hours of acceptable Continuing Education:

• Obtaining continuing education (CE) credits from NMTCB approved CE organizations related to nuclear medicine; equivalent to one (1) hour of CE for each month of the CE Cycle (i.e., 24 CE credits per 2 year CE cycle). Excess credits may not be carried over into the next reporting cycle.
• Taking and passing an additional examination offered by the NMTCB (NCT, PET, NMAA, NMTCB(RS), or NMTCB(CT) exam), the ARRT (MRI, CT, or Quality Management exams), or AHRA (management exam). Successful completion of one of these examinations will be recognized as equivalent to 24 hours of CE.
• Obtaining a grade of C or better from academic courses approved by accredited post-secondary institutions that are relevant to the radiological sciences, patient care, business/ management, education, or technology. The equivalent of sixteen CE hours will be recognized for successful completion of one semester college credit or 12 CE hours per quarter college credit.
• Successful completion of Advanced Cardiac Life Support (6 CE hours per two-year cycle)/Pediatric Advanced Life Support (6 CE hours per two-year cycle). Both Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (maximum of 9 CE hours per two-year cycle). Note: Successful completion of Basic Life Support (BLS)/CPR training or BLS/CPR instructor training is NOT recognized as meeting the CE requirements of the NMTCB.

Mechanisms:

The NMTCB uses a biennial (two year) CE Cycle based on the certificant's birth month and shall use an odd year-even year system based on the initial certification year for assigning CE Cycles. The NMTCB requires certificants to record the hours of CE obtained during the CE Cycle. The annual renewal statement requires certificants to attest to their current CE status. Excess CE credits (more than the number of hours required for the current CE Cycle) may not be carried over into the next CE Cycle.

Certificants are responsible for keeping records of CE hours obtained.

Biennial CE Requirements:

1. New Certificants
   • The first CE Cycle for new certificants in an even numbered year begins on the first day of the month of certification and is pro-rated to the last day of the month immediately preceding their birth month in the next even numbered year. The CE requirement of this first CE Cycle is equivalent to one CE per month of the cycle as described.
   • The first CE Cycle for new certificants in an odd numbered year begins on the first day of the month of certification and is pro-rated to the last day of the month immediately preceding their birth month in the next odd numbered year. The CE requirement of this first CE Cycle is equivalent to one CE per month of the cycle as described.
2. Subsequent CE Cycles will run from the first day of the certificant's birth month to the last day of the month immediately preceding the birth month in the next even or odd year. As this period is 24 months, 24 hours of CE must be obtained during this cycle.
3. Certificants are permitted to make a one-time change to their CE Cycle (i.e. from Even to Odd or from Odd to Even)
4. Certificants are responsible for keeping records of involvement in educational activities. The following documentation of CE activity is required:
   • For sponsoring organizations on the NMTCB's annual list of approved CE organizations, the date, title, reference number, and number of hours of each CE activity.
   • For academic courses, a grade transcript from an accredited post-secondary school must be submitted indicating the course title, number of credits, and the grade received (must be a C or better).
   • For ACLS and/or PALS certification, a dated, signed copy of the ACLS and or PALS card(s).
5. The certificant must verify biannually the appropriate number of CE hours have been obtained for renewal.

Military Waiver:

The NMTCB will waive the requirement for active duty military service personnel to obtain CE hours while deployed overseas. To apply for this waiver a military waiver form must be completed and sent it along with a copy of the deployment orders to the NMTCB office.

Audits:

Audits of CE hours shall be conducted as follows:

• A certificant who checks that he/she will not meet the CE requirements by the date specified will be automatically audited and will not receive a card.
• Every year, a random sampling of reporting certificants shall be randomly chosen for an audit. These individuals will be asked to provide documentation of their educational activities. The audited individuals must submit their documentation within 60 days of the postmark on the letter from the NMTCB.
• Falsification of CE documents may result in revocation of one's certification(s), monetary fines, and/or disqualification from NMTCB examinations.
• The NMTCB reserves the right to require that those selected for CE audit must submit a copy of original documentation of participation in CE activities.

Certificants who are unable to document their educational activities shall be on probation for six months, during which time they must obtain additional CE hours to meet 24 hours for the audited cycle. The certificant must obtain 24 new CE hours for the next cycle (those earned to meet probation requirements do not count for the next cycle as well). The certificant will also be charged a $65 reinstatement fee in addition to any outstanding renewal fees.

Six months after being notified of non-compliance with the CE policy, if the NMTCB does not receive necessary documentation, a certificant's credential(s) shall be suspended. If documentation is not received within six months after suspension occurs, the certificant's credential(s) can be reinstated only by meeting the current eligibility requirements for and successfully completing the entry-level examination.

In addition, NMTCB also requires those participating in the CNMT credentialing process to answer certain ethics questions during each annual renewal. The NMTCB monitors each adherence to legal and ethical standards, including but not limited to the Code of Ethics of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Technologist Section.

The NMTCB Continuing Competence policy has been developed to include a list of core competencies that all nuclear medicine technologists, regardless of specialty or setting, are expected to acquire and maintain throughout their careers. The NMTCB's Continuing Competence Policy has been tailored so CNMT certificants are required to take part in planned learning experiences that must relate to the following areas of the practice, whether the certificant is currently working in an imaging practice, research setting, education, management, or some other professional area.

Disciplinary Policy

The NMTCB is dedicated to the promotion of safe, competent medical care for any and all individuals. To that end, the NMTCB processes and evaluates applications for NMTCB certification, and monitors adherence to legal and ethical standards, including but not limited to the Code of Ethics of the Society of Nuclear Medicine Technologist Section. The NMTCB therefore requires those participating in these credentialing processes to ascribe to the following standards.

The certificant or applicant shall comply with all existing and future rules, regulations and ethical standards established by the NMTCB and the nuclear medicine community and will bear responsibility for demonstrating compliance with these standards of behavior. Failure to do so may lead to administrative action by the NMTCB against the certificant, including but not limited to the denial of an application, non-renewal of a certificate, revocation, probation, or suspension of any and all NMTCB credentials or applications. The full details of these expectations may be read in our DISCIPLINARY POLICY

Privacy Policy

The Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) is committed to respecting your privacy, and recognizes your need for appropriate protection and management of the personally identifiable information that you share with us. Our Privacy Policy summarizes our current practices related to information gathering and dissemination.

Appeals Procedure

Every effort is made to ensure that the NMTCB examination procedures are reasonable and that fair and equitable treatment is accorded to all applicants. To ensure fairness and a right of redress in the evaluation and processing of applications, examination procedures, and certification activities, the Directors of the NMTCB have established a formal appeals procedure which you must follow for appeal of any NMTCB policy, requirement, or decision.