NRRPT--A CHP Pipeline

Kevin J. Collins, CHP, RRPT

Recently, I took the time to conduct some research to determine how many individuals who have become Certified Health Physicists (CHPs) were previously Registered (RRPTs) with the NRRPT (National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists). I obtained this information from past NRRPT News articles, NRRPT Handbooks, articles from the Health Physics Society's Newsletter, and review of the Health Physics Society's Radiation Protection Professional's Directory & Handbooks. I reviewed information for the years 1993 through 1998.

As of 1998, there were 1,093 Active CHPs. The 140 RRPTs who are CHPs represent 13 percent of the total active CHPs. A respectable percentage (96 out of 450, ~21 percent) of CHPs who have become certified since 1993 have been previously registered with the NRRPT. Since 1993, the percentage of RRPTs who have passed the Part I CHP exam (AAHP Associates) has also been very good (141 out of 624, ~23 percent).

Based on this review, it is clear to see that the NRRPT has provided a continuous supply of personnel who have become CHPs. The percentages have been higher in the last six years than in the previous years. This review supports the need to continue to promote the NRRPT. It also validates that the NRRPT has been aggressive in pursuing its mission of promoting the knowledge, training, and expertise of radiation protection personnel. The HPS and the Academy should continue their past support of NRRPT endeavors.

Notes and Considerations:

1. Column Information: 1. Year researched, 2. Number of personnel becoming CHPs that year who were RRPTs, 3. Percent total of RRPTs who became CHPs that year, 4. Total number of personnel becoming CHPs that year, 5. Number of RRPTs who passed Part I CHP exam that year, 6. Percentage of RRPTs who passed Part I CHP exam that year, 7. Total number of personnel who passed Part I CHP exam that year.

2. Some RRPTs who are CHPs may not have maintained Active CHP status. If so, the above numbers are understated.

3. Percentage of people currently ABHP Associates (passed either part of CHP exam) is not totaled since a large percentage has subsequently become CHPs.

4. The numbers above may be understated if personnel passed the NRRPT exam after taking either part of the CHP exam.

All Certified Health Physicists are invited to participate in a two-day Workshop being organized for the American Board of Health Physics by Morgan Cox, a past Part I Panel Chair, and Mark Hoover. The objective of this Workshop is to improve or strengthen existing questions in the current Part I exam question bank, and to develop new Part I and possibly Part II questions. The organizers will provide guidance and instruction for generating useable questions. The Board will award 4 continuing education units to participants, who must be current CHPs.

The workshop will be held from 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 26 and from 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 27, 1999, at the Lovelace North Facility, 2425 Ridgecrest SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico. (This is one block south of Gibson off of San Pedro.) If you have any questions, please contact:

Morgan Cox 505-471-1370, e-mail: morgancx@swcp.com, or
Mark Hoover 505-845-1040 e-mail: mhoover@lrri.org.

Interested participants should provide their name, address, phone, fax, and e-mail contacts to Nancy Johnson, 1313 Dolley Madison Boulevard, Suite 402, McLean, VA 22101 or fax to her at 703-790-2672. One of the organizers will then contact you with additional local arrangements information.