NRC ISSUES AMENDMENTS TO SPECIALTY MEDICAL BOARD
CERTIFICATION CRITERIA
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The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is amending the criteria used by the NRC and Agreement States to recognize certifications conferred by professional specialty boards on applicants for various medical radiation safety positions.

In a final rule to be published shortly in the Federal Register, the NRC implements several changes to 10 CFR Part 35, "Medical Use of Byproduct Material," based upon recommendations by the NRC’s Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes (ACMUI) and the Agreement States. The changes should make the process of recognizing boards by the NRC or Agreement States more efficient. ("Agreement States" are the 33 states that have agreed with the NRC to regulate the medical and industrial uses of byproduct material.)

"These changes to the certification criteria will continue to ensure the safe use of radioactive material by medical licensees while improving the process of recognizing board certifications," said Jack Strosnider, director of the NRC’s Office of Nuclear Materials Safety and Safeguards.

The final rule provides specialty boards more latitude in making the determination that an individual is fully trained and capable of performing duties related to radiation safety. The revised requirements include a degree from an accredited college or university, professional experience, passing an examination conducted by the specialty board, and specialized training. The specific degree level and amount of training and experience required vary depending on the position.

The NRC will publish the procedures for recognizing specialty boards, as well as the list of those whose certifications meet the criteria, on its Web site instead of in its regulations. This will make it easier to change the list to add or remove boards.

A proposed rule outlining the changes was published Dec. 9, 2003, in the Federal Register. The agency received 27 comments on the proposed rule; those comments and the agency responses are summarized in the forthcoming Federal Register notice. The changes become effective 30 days after publication.

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Thursday, February 22, 2007