Answer to Question #6587 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Q

I am working in a nuclear plant as a health physicist. I have 16 years of experience in the radiation protection area. I have completed my bachelor's degree in physics followed by a one-year health physics course conducted by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in India. I am interested in working internationally in the health physics area. Is any accreditation certificate required to get a job in the United States or any other country? In that case, how do I apply for such a certificate?

A

Both your education and experience are positive items with respect to employment in the United States or other countries. The employment outlook in the United States for those seeking jobs is very good right now and this is predicted to continue for a great deal of time into the future. Your credentials are currently appropriate for a professional position in health physics in the United States. However, if you would like to enhance your credentials it would certainly be beneficial. I would recommend seeking certification as a health physicist by the American Board of Health Physics. You may find out more about the process of becoming certified at the ABHP Web site.

Having provided the good news first, you should be aware that enhanced security measures mandated by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), coupled with more strict emigration and foreign work regulations, may make a jump into the United States employment market more difficult than it was prior to 9/11.

In order for anyone to have unescorted access to radiation sources above the NRC "quantity of concern" they must have been either continuously employed by the licensee for at least three years and the licensee must be able to demonstrate that the individual in question is trustworthy and reliable. Or, if they have not been employed for at least three years, the licensee must have an independent background investigation conducted on that individual which can demonstrate that the individual is trustworthy and reliable.

Further, in order for persons to hire a foreign national they must demonstrate a need which can not be fulfilled. This typically requires that they post a particular open job for a period of time at several locations before they extend the offer of employment to the foreign national. Further, they must undertake all the paperwork to obtain the correct visa and a "green card" for the individual whom they wish to hire. All of this effort may be expensive for the potential employer and implicitly discourages employers from seeking foreign nationals to fill positions in the United States unless they have substantial expertise and unique qualifications which the employer is willing to pay for in advance. Obtaining such clearance in a United States nuclear power plant may be difficult.

I hope you do not find this discouraging but rather a complete and honest answer to your question.

Richard R. Brey, PhD, CHP