Quick answer: To become a nuclear medicine technologist in the U.S., complete an accredited nuclear medicine technology program (a 12-month certificate if you’re already in a related health field, or an associate or bachelor’s degree), pass the NMTCB or ARRT certification exam, and get a state license where required. It’s one of the best-paid imaging careers: a median of $101,370 in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, though it’s a small field with about 800 openings a year.
What does a nuclear medicine technologist do?
Nuclear medicine uses small amounts of radioactive drugs, called radiopharmaceuticals or tracers, to show how organs and tissues are working. Technologists:
- Prepare and give radiopharmaceuticals, by injection, by mouth or by inhalation
- Operate gamma cameras, SPECT, SPECT/CT and PET/CT scanners
- Perform scans such as bone scans, cardiac stress tests, thyroid scans, HIDA scans and PET scans
- Follow strict radiation safety rules for patients, staff and the public
- In many centers, help with radionuclide therapies, such as radioactive iodine and newer targeted treatments
Step 1: Choose your path into the field
| Path | Length | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate program | About 12 months | People who already have a degree or credential in a related field, such as radiography, nursing or a science degree |
| Associate degree | About 2 years | Students starting after high school |
| Bachelor’s degree | 4 years | Students who want a broader science base and future leadership options |
Program prerequisites often include anatomy and physiology, chemistry, physics, algebra or statistics, and medical terminology.
Step 2: Make sure the program is accredited
Look for programs accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT). Graduating from a recognized program is required to take the NMTCB exam and is usually required for ARRT and state licensure.
As with radiography, ask each program for its exam pass rate, job placement rate and completion rate.
Step 3: Complete classes and clinical training
You’ll study radiation physics, instrumentation, radiopharmacy, radiation safety, patient care and clinical procedures, then complete supervised clinical rotations in hospitals and imaging centers. You’ll learn to prepare doses, perform quality control on equipment and run studies on real patients.
Step 4: Pass a certification exam
You have two main options:
- NMTCB (Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board): earns the CNMT credential. The exam has 90 multiple-choice questions, is taken on a computer, and covers clinical procedures, radiopharmaceuticals, instrumentation and quality control, radiation safety and radiation physics.
- ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists): earns the R.T.(N) credential.
Either is widely accepted. Many technologists choose based on their program’s advice or the requirements of the state where they plan to work.
Step 5: Get a state license
Some states require a license to work in nuclear medicine, and requirements vary. Certification usually meets most of the requirements. Check with your state’s health or radiation control board.
Step 6: Start working and keep learning
About 7 in 10 nuclear medicine technologists work in hospitals; others work in physician offices, imaging centers and labs. Expect some on-call work in hospitals.
To keep your credential, you’ll need continuing education, about 24 hours every two years, plus annual renewal.
Salary and job outlook
According to the BLS (May 2025):
- Median pay: $101,370 a year (about $48.74 an hour)
- Jobs: about 17,400
- Growth: about 4% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as average
- Openings: about 800 a year
Pay is often highest in outpatient care centers. Because the field is small, job availability depends a lot on where you live, so check local demand before you enroll.
Specializing and growing
- PET: NMTCB offers a PET specialty certification. PET/CT is one of the fastest-moving parts of the field.
- Nuclear cardiology: NMTCB’s NCT certification.
- CT: Many nuclear medicine technologists add CT certification (NMTCB or ARRT) because hybrid SPECT/CT and PET/CT scanners are now standard.
- Theranostics: Targeted radionuclide therapies for cancers such as neuroendocrine tumors and prostate cancer are growing and creating new roles.
- Other paths: lead technologist, radiation safety, education, applications specialist, research.
Is it safe to work with radiation every day?
Yes, when safety rules are followed. Technologists use shielded syringes and containers, distance and short handling times, and wear dosimeter badges to monitor their dose. Occupational doses for most nuclear medicine technologists are well below legal limits. Pregnant technologists can declare their pregnancy to get extra monitoring and dose limits.
From the scanner room
[TU EXPERIENCIA: tu día a día en medicina nuclear; cómo es preparar y administrar dosis; qué te gusta de la especialidad; cómo has visto cambiar el trabajo con PET/CT y las terapias (Lu-177); tu dosis laboral típica comparada con los límites, si quieres compartirla.]
Is nuclear medicine right for you?
It may suit you if you:
- Like chemistry, physics and technology as much as patient care
- Are precise and comfortable following strict protocols
- Want variety: diagnostic scans, cardiac studies, PET and therapies
- Are comfortable working with radioactive materials safely
FAQ
How long does it take to become a nuclear medicine technologist?
About 1 year with a certificate program if you already have a related degree or credential, about 2 years for an associate degree, or 4 years for a bachelor’s degree.
Do nuclear medicine technologists make more than X-ray techs?
Yes. In May 2025, the median was $101,370 for nuclear medicine technologists vs $80,110 for radiologic technologists.
Should I take the NMTCB or the ARRT exam?
Both are widely accepted. Ask your program and check your state’s licensing rules; some technologists hold both.
Can an X-ray tech become a nuclear medicine tech?
Yes. Many radiographers complete a 12-month nuclear medicine certificate program.
Is nuclear medicine a dying field?
No. It’s small, but PET/CT and new targeted therapies are expanding what nuclear medicine does.
This article is for general information only. Requirements, fees and pay change; check NMTCB, ARRT, JRCNMT and your state licensing board for current details.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Nuclear Medicine Technologists (May 2025 data).
- NMTCB. Certification FAQs; CNMT and specialty exams (PET, NCT, CT).
- ARRT. Nuclear Medicine Technology credential.
- JRCNMT. Accredited programs.
- SNMMI. Careers in nuclear medicine.
- OpenExamPrep. CNMT exam facts (independent summary of NMTCB information).