APPLY NOW! (secure) We recommend using a personal computer to complete the application online or download the application pdf file.

Introduction

Since its introduction in 2001, more than 1,200 candidates have taken the Nuclear Cardiology Technology examination.  62.5% have passed and earned the right to use the credentials "NCT".

The Nuclear Cardiology exam is available "on demand". This means that once you are notified that your application has been approved, you may choose when you'd like to take it, as opposed to a designated one-time examination date. Click here to download the Nuclear Cardiology Technology Specialty Examination Application Form.

The cardiology specialty exam will be administered nationally by IQT, Inc. Once your application has been approved, you will be notified of your eligibility and the locations of testing centers in your area. Please note that there are currently no testing centers in Canada or Puerto Rico.

The NMTCB Nuclear Cardiology Technology Specialty Examination processing fee is $225.00.

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 examination, you will receive an authorization letter listing available test sites and their telephone numbers. You will then have a six (6) month window in which to schedule your examination. To schedule, you must call no later than noon of the second business day prior to the preferred date. If a candidate fails to appear for a scheduled day and time, the candidate must reactivate his or her authorization and pay the current examination fee. If a candidate fails to make an appointment for the examination within the six (6) month scheduling window, the candidate must reactivate his or her authorization and pay one-half of the current examination fee to initiate another testing cycle.

SNMMI VOICE credits are awarded for passing the Nuclear Cardiology Exam. If you are not a member of the SNMMI, contact them at 703-708-9000 or www.snmmi.org to join.

Examinees who pass the NMTCB cardiology examination are eligible for 24 Category A Continuing Education Credits through the ARRT.

Eligibility Requirements

A candidate for examination must show documented evidence of the following:

1. Active NMTCB, ARRT(N), or CAMRT nuclear medicine certification
2. A minimum of two years full-time (4,000 hours) clinical experience as a certified/registered nuclear medicine technologist; OR
   a minimum 700 hours of documented clinical experience performing all aspects of nuclear cardiology imaging including radiopharmaceutical handling, injection if permitted by state and/or institutional regulations) and imaging. Supervision must be performed by a board certified nuclear cardiologist, nuclear medicine physician or radiologist AND direct supervision must be performed by a certified NMTCB, ARRT(N) or CAMRT nuclear medicine technologist respectively. (After March 15, 2013, the mimimu two-year requirement will no longer be accepted.)

Content Outline

The following is a list of the content for the NMTCB's Nuclear Cardiology Specialty Exam.

• Nuclear Medicine Imaging Procedures (~50%)
  
  • myocardial perfusion (~38%)
  • equilibrium radionuclide angiogram, first pass studies (~8%)
  • Cardiac PET (~4%)
• Anatomy/Physiology/Pathology (~10%)
  
• Radiopharmaceuticals and Interventional Drugs (~15%)
  
• Non-pharmacologic (Exercise) Stress Testing (~15%)
  
• Patient Care (~10%)
  

Click here to see the more detailed exam content specifications.

THE APPLICATION FORM
Read all instructions listed here carefully before completing the application form. Incomplete applications delay processing and may affect eligibility. You must print the application form from the web page, and submit it by fax or postal mail to the NMTCB office.

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 of 1990. 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. Upon receipt of a request for modifications in the testing environment, the NMTCB office will provide detailed guidelines concerning the required documentation to be submitted. 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.

REACTIVATION OF APPLICATION
If you have previously unsuccessfully taken the NMTCB Nuclear Cardiology Technology Specialty Examination, your application will remain on file with the NMTCB. Eligible candidates may repeat the examination by reactivating their eligibility with a written request to the NMTCB along with the current processing fee. A candidate may take the exam a maximum of two times within a 12 calendar month period. For re-examination, the eligibility criteria must still be met (current NMTCB, ARRT(N) or CAMRT nuclear medicine certification). It may be necessary for you to document that you have completed additional preparation if deemed by the NMTCB to be in the best interest of all concerned. 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.

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

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

Send your completed application with a check or money order, or credit card information (Visa or MasterCard) for the examination processing fee of $225.00 to:

NMTCB
Cardiology Exam
3558 Habersham at Northlake, Building I
Tucker, GA 30084

If you are a NMTCB Certificant, and are paying by credit card, you may fax the application form to (404) 315-6502.

Applications are processed in the order received.