What's New?
.	HPS and CRCPD Proclaim 8-14 November 2009 as National Radiation Protection Professionals Week
.	November Newsletter
.	NRC Academic Program Nuclear Education Grants, FY2010, Now Accepting Applications
.	November ORS
.	November Journal
.	EPA's STAR Graduate and GRO Undergraduate Fellowship Funding Now Accepting Applications

Upcoming Events
.	2010 HPS Midyear Topical Meeting Radiation Risk Communication to the Public 24-27 January 2010 Albuquerque, NM
.	2010 HPS Professional Development School Radiation Risk Communication: Issues and Solutions 27-29 January 2010 Albuquerque, NM

07 November 2009

Answer to Question #1705 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Radiation Safety Careers — Career Development and Certification

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

I have been a radiologic technologist for 20 years, with American Registry of Radiologic Technologists certificates in radiology, nuclear medicine, and computed tomography. I earned an MS in radiological sciences from the University of Washington in 1994. I really would like to pursue a career as a health physicist, but have been so far unable to locate any entry-level employment in this area (Puget sound), except for a few short-term assignments. I have had a few interviews, but I find that everyone wants a certified health physicist. Unfortunately it requires five years of full-time health physics employment to sit for the exam (or has that changed?) My wife claims health physics is a dying profession with no hope of getting in the door. Please say it isn't so!

The requirements for taking the CHP examination may be found on the American Board of Health Physics ABHP Web site. Briefly, my interpretation of the requirements are as follows:

At least a BS from an accredited university in physical science, engineering, mathematics, or in biological science with a minor in physical science, engineering, or mathematics. As an alternate the applicant can submit evidence of 20 semester hours of course work in physical science, engineering, or mathematics at an accredited college or university. (a) Evidence of this academic preparation is considered to be an original transcript from the university or college.
At least six years of responsible professional-level experience in health physics with at least three of the six years in applied health physics. With respect to Part II of the examination, this experience must document that the individual has been required to exercise judgement in various subareas of the discipline.
Reference statements from the applicant's supervisor and, if applying for Part II, at least two qualified individuals (one of whom is a CHP) evaluating the applicant's qualifications in health physics.
A written report is required for those applying for Part II that demonstrates professional Health Physics effort.

This outline is apparently quite brief and may be slightly ambiguous if one is not familiar with the requirements already. The official requirements are posted on the ABHP Web site. Please note, I in no way represent the ABHP as an individual with executive authority, nor does the outline I have provided above represent anything except my own summary of the ABHP requirements. Ultimately, any official and binding interpretations about the policies of the ABHP or the American Academy of Health Physics can only be provided by those organizations and their appropriate executive officers.

Your unfortunate job search experiences to date may be related to many different factors, including the exact expertise sought after by potential employers—as you have mentioned—and regional demand. The national availability of entry-level jobs is quite good. The data generated last year from a survey conducted by the Health Physics Society (HPS) Academic Education Committee indicates that the demand/supply ratio nationally is around 1.6. This means 1.6 jobs for every 1 known applicant. Demand, however, is quite regionalized. Another recent study conducted by Nuclear Energy Institute demonstrates an even larger demand.

There are several in the HPS who, based upon anecdotal information, have exclaimed that the demand is even much higher than we have indicated. My suspicion is that these folks are observing very intense regional demand. As an example, the University of California Systems have reportedly conducted a very large and long search for applicants without much success. I think this information would lead us to reject your wife's hypothesis. Unfortunately, to take advantage of job opportunities nationally, you may have to move to another location. There are several places where one might find job postings including: The HPS Newsletter—available to HPS members—you can join on the HPS Web site. There is also a job listing on the Members Only section of the HPS Web site. Good luck finding the job you desire.

Richard R. Brey, PhD, CHP

Answer posted on 4 March 2002. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.