PET (NMTCB) - Positron Emission Technology

Radiologic technologists (RT) are part of the interdisciplinary team performing diagnostics tests including X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound. The majority of RTs workin hospital settings. After completing an accredited program, additional certification and license are required and regulated by state and national agencies.

The Positron Emission Technology (PET) certification is offered by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB). This certification is relevant for the RT who has demonstrated experience working in the PET field. The PET-certified professional has expertise in the use of instrumentation, pharmaceuticals, and adjunct therapies related to the use of PET.

Cost: The online application fee for the PET certification is $225.

Exam Format

The NMTCB Positron Emission Tomography (PET) exam is delivered on a computer and consists of 225 multiple-choice questions. Of these, 200 questions are scored and 25 are unscored pretest items. Candidates are given 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete the examination.

To qualify for the NMTCB Positron Emission Tomography (PET) certification exam, candidates must provide documentation showing they meet the following requirements:

• Hold an active NMTCB, ARRT(N), or CAMRT(RTNM) certification.

• Have completed at least 700 hours of clinical practice as a certified/registered nuclear medicine technologist on a dedicated PET, PET/MR, or PET/CT scanner.

Applicants certified through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) must also demonstrate:

• A total of 1,000 hours of clinical PET experience, which must include all aspects of PET imaging such as radiopharmaceutical handling, injection (when permitted by state or institutional regulations), and image acquisition on PET, PET/MR, or PET/CT scanners.

Completion of at least 100 documented competencies, broken down as:

• 50 PET imaging competencies

• 10 daily scanner quality control (QC) competencies

• 10 dose calibrator QC competencies

• 10 daily survey and survey meter QC competencies

• 10 package receipt, disposal, and return competencies

• 10 radiopharmaceutical preparation competencies, including dose calculation and assay

Only one competency per category may be documented on any given day.

• All clinical activities must be supervised by a nuclear medicine physician or radiologist, with direct oversight by a technologist certified through NMTCB, ARRT(N), or CAMRT(RTNM).

Completion of at least 70 contact hours of coursework in the areas of:

• Radiopharmacy

• Nuclear medicine instrumentation

• Radiation safety

• Procedures

The PET certification must be renewed annually. The renewal fee is $15 with CNMT certification and $30 without CNMT certification.

The PET certification offered by the NMTCB is valid for seven years. Applicants seeking renewal must complete one of the following:

• Successful completion of the certification exam.

• Completion of 42 hours of CE specific to the certification speciality.

Certifications that have expired over five years ago cannot be renewed, and the RT must reapply through the initial application process.

The NMTCB offers a content outline.

The NMTCB also offers the following:

• Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT)

• Computed Tomography (CT)

• Nuclear Cardiology Technologist (NCT)

• Radiation Safety (RS)

• Nuclear Medicine Advanced Associate (NMAA)

The RT may also be required to obtain additional certification of skills such as:

• Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) Permit: DEXA scans are used to measure bone density.

• Nuclear Medicine Technology Certificate: Uses small amounts of radiopharmaceuticals to assess body system functions.