How to Become an NRRPT Radiation Protection Technologist
The National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists provides certification to qualified individuals who are experienced in the field of radiation protection. All candidates must also pass the NRRPT exam to get certified.
All applicants for the NRRPT certification must have at least a high school diploma and be 21 years old. While there are no specific educational requirements, college classes, military schools, or other radiation-related training can add up to at least 2 years of work experience. The Board will decide on a case-by-case basis how much work credit to award for radiation education or training.
With that said, all applicants must also have at least 5 years of experience as a technician or technologist in the field of radiation protection. Those in school may not count work experience gained at the same time they are in school.
The last requirement will affect some applicants. To take the NRRPT exam, all applicants must have the physical and mental ability to conduct operations as a radiation protection technologist. Individuals with certain disabilities may not be able to perform the job. See the application for further information on this requirement.
After qualifying, candidates apply and pay a fee of $250 for the first NRRPT test and $125 if they have to take it again. $50 of this is a nonrefundable application fee. Radiation protection technicians may take the test as many times as they wish at the $125 rate. You may view the exam calendar by using the link below.
In terms of preparing for the exam, do not assume that your normal work duties will be sufficient to fully prepare you for the NRRPT radiation protection technologist certification test. The Registry provides a list of exam references that you can use to study. Purchase those, making sure you study for each content area. The page with the NRRPT exam references and the test content outline is linked to below.
There are also some CFR citations on that page. CFR is the Code of Federal Regulations, the national rules and regulations passed by the Department of Energy and other federal US agencies. Get these from your employer or look them up online and study them, as well.
National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists: Exam Calendar, Fees, and Certification Requirements
NRRPT: Exam Content Outline and References