Certification

["Les Slaback, Health Physics" <SLABACK@micf.nist.gov>]

I find the number of suggestions for more levels of certification interesting,
if not amazing.  The HP community is small potatoes.  We are talking about
an HPS membership of less than 7000, with maybe twice that working in health
physics (compared to 100x that of engineers).  While there can be lots of
reasons for multiple levels of certification, for specialty certifications,
 etc. the ultimate practical issue is the volume of business.

Numbers are the ulimate constraint, and the numbers are not there.
But ignoring that, NRC at one time or another has considered licensing HP's
like reactor operators are licensed.  That is even less likely in the
current regulatory climate, but it presents a different flavor of
certification that some might like.  Related to this is the AIHA efforts at
the state level for kinds of licensure control for industrial hygienists.  If
this movement gains steam then this might force the HP community into a
similar action, regardless of 'numbers'.

Lastly, the ABHP and the AAHP are always looking for new talent interested in
improving the certification process.  This thread clearly shows that there is
lots of interest out there.  I hope some of this translates to more direct
involvement.  Perhaps some of the non-US readers would like to start up an
IRPA relatedeffort?

SLABACK@MICF.NIST.GOV
   ...a little risk, like a bit of spice, adds flavor to life