Medical Physics -Reply

[Charles Willis <CAW@nrc.gov>]

In the USA, the only credential for a radiation safety expert is certificdation by the
American Board of Health Physics.  Of course, a number of people are working in
the field without the credential.  

The regulators do not require certification but instead,  conduct a kind of
case-by-case assessment.  When Regulatory Guide 8.8, "Information Relevant to
Ensuring that Occupational Radiation Exposure at Nuclear Power Stations will be
As Low As is Reasonably Achievable," was first issued in 1973, it called for
Radiation Protection Managers to be "certified or equivalent."  In response to the
firestorm of protest from the industry, this criterion was modified to be the
equivalent of  "qualified to take Part 2 of the ABHP examination," plus other
qualifications. 

Charlie Willis
caw@nrc.gov