The first administration of the NMTCBs PET Specialty exam is scheduled for Saturday, September 18, 2004. The exam will be administered nationally by LaserGrade Computer Testing, Inc.

Eligibility to sit for the 2004 exam includes the following:

• Active membership in the NMTCB, ARRT (N) or CAMRT and
• 700 hours of clinical experience on a dedicated PET scanner.

Detailed exam information including content outline, LaserGrade testing locations and instructions for obtaining an application booklet can be found on the NMTCB website www.nmtcb.org (select Specialty Exams from the pull-down menu, then select PET Exam).

Beginning in 2005, an augmented version of the PET Specialty exam will be offered. Eligibility for the exam will be expanded to include those technologists that meet the following qualifications:

• Active membership in the ARRT (R) or (T), and
• 700 hours of documented clinical experience on a dedicated PET scanner under the direct supervision of a certified NMTCB, ARRT(N) or CAMRT technologist and a nuclear medicine physician or radiologist, and
• 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.

The augmented exam will be based on an updated content outline that includes information on topics that are pertinent to the practice of PET, but are not part of the entry-level exams for radiology or radiation therapy including the safe handling of unsealed radioactive sources, radiopharmaceutical preparation, regulations, etc.

The NMTCB is proud to be a part of the ongoing collaboration between professional organizations affected by fusion imaging. Through this collaborative effort, imaging technologists and therapists will have an opportunity to expand their professional expertise to include the rapidly developing technology of fusion imaging.