Information Notice 2023-05, Discontinuation of U.S. NRC Recognition of the American Board of Radiologys Certification Processes: Difference between revisions

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{{#Wiki_filter:UNITED STATES
{{#Wiki_filter:ML23304A144 UNITED STATES


NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
Line 20: Line 20:
OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDS
OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDS


WASHINGTON, DC  20555-0001
WASHINGTON, DC  20555-0001  


November 30, 2023
November 30, 2023  


NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 2023-05:  DISCONTINUATION OF THE U.S. NUCLEAR
NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 2023-05:  DISCONTINUATION OF THE U.S. NUCLEAR
Line 33: Line 33:


==ADDRESSEES==
==ADDRESSEES==
All U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) medical use licens ees and NRC master
All U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) medical use licensees and NRC master


materials licensees. All Agreement State Radiation Control Prog  ram Directors and State Liaison
materials licensees. All Agreement State Radiation Control Program Directors and State Liaison


Officers.
Officers.


==PURPOSE==
==PURPOSE==
The NRC is issuing this information notice (IN) to inform addre ssees about the discontinuation
The NRC is issuing this information notice (IN) to inform addressees about the discontinuation


of the NRCs recognition of the American Board of Radiology (AB R) certification processes and
of the NRCs recognition of the American Board of Radiology (ABR) certification processes and


to remind addressees about the existing pathways for authorizat  ion under Title 10 of the Code
to remind addressees about the existing pathways for authorization under Title 10 of the Code


of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 35, Medical Use of Byproduct Material. The NRC
of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 35, Medical Use of Byproduct Material. The NRC


expects that recipients will review the information for applica  bility to their facilities and consider
expects that recipients will review the information for applicability to their facilities and consider


actions, as appropriate. Information contained in this IN are n  ot new requirements and no
actions, as appropriate. Information contained in this IN are not new requirements and no


specific action or written response is required. The NRC is pro viding this IN to the Agreement
specific action or written response is required. The NRC is providing this IN to the Agreement


States for their information and for distribution to their lice  nsees, as appropriate.
States for their information and for distribution to their licensees, as appropriate.


==DESCRIPTION OF CIRCUMSTANCES==
==DESCRIPTION OF CIRCUMSTANCES==
Recently, the ABR, a major specialty board recognized by the NRC, informe d the NRC of its
Recently, the ABR, a major specialty board recognized by the NRC, informed the NRC of its


intention to stop maintaining NRC recognition and requested tha t the NRC stop recognizing its
intention to stop maintaining NRC recognition and requested that the NRC stop recognizing its


certification processes after December 31, 2023. The ABR requested the discontinuation in a
certification processes after December 31, 2023. The ABR requested the discontinuation in a


letter to the NRC dated April 6, 2022 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management
letter to the NRC dated April 6, 2022 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management
Line 67: Line 67:
System Accession No. ML22091A272). The ABR issues NRC-recognized certificates to many
System Accession No. ML22091A272). The ABR issues NRC-recognized certificates to many


individuals (including physicians, physicists, and radiation sa  fety officers (RSOs)). Its NRC-
individuals (including physicians, physicists, and radiation safety officers (RSOs)). Its NRC-
recognized certificates enable individuals to become authorized   and listed as Authorized Users
recognized certificates enable individuals to become authorized and listed as Authorized Users


(AUs), Authorized Medical Physicists (AMPs), and Radiation Safe  ty Officers (RSOs) or
(AUs), Authorized Medical Physicists (AMPs), and Radiation Safety Officers (RSOs) or


associate RSOs on medical use radioactive materials licenses us  ing a board certification
associate RSOs on medical use radioactive materials licenses using a board certification


training pathway in accordance with criteria outlined in 10 CFR   Part 35.
training pathway in accordance with criteria outlined in 10 CFR Part 35.


The NRC has recognized the ABRs certification processes (with certificates that include
The NRC has recognized the ABRs certification processes (with certificates that include


authorized individual designations, i.e., AU-Eligible, AMP-Elig  ible, and RSO-Eligible), since
authorized individual designations, i.e., AU-Eligible, AMP-Eligible, and RSO-Eligible), since


2005 and will discontinue this recognition as requested.   After December 31, 2023, the NRC will
2005 and will discontinue this recognition as requested. After December 31, 2023, the NRC will


no longer recognize certification processes offered by the ABR   as complying with the NRC
no longer recognize certification processes offered by the ABR as complying with the NRC


training regulations in 10 CFR Part 35. Any ABR certificates is  sued after December 31, 2023, will not be acceptable for authorization for medical use throug  h the board certification pathway.
training regulations in 10 CFR Part 35. Any ABR certificates issued after December 31, 2023, will not be acceptable for authorization for medical use through the board certification pathway.


This discontinuation is the result of ABRs request and is not   a result of NRC-identified
This discontinuation is the result of ABRs request and is not a result of NRC-identified


insufficiencies in the certification processes. The NRC staff w ill update the Specialty Board
insufficiencies in the certification processes. The NRC staff will update the Specialty Board Certifications Recognized by NRC Under 10 CFR Part 35 public website
 
ML23304A144 Certifications Recognized by NRC Under 10 CFR Part 35 public we  bsite


(https://www.nrc.gov/materials/miau/med-use-toolkit/spec-board-cert.html) and will share the
(https://www.nrc.gov/materials/miau/med-use-toolkit/spec-board-cert.html) and will share the


termination letter and associated supporting information with t  he public and the medical
termination letter and associated supporting information with the public and the medical


community through the NRC medical list server (https://www.nrc. gov/materials/miau/med-use- toolkit.html#mls) and the NRC Medical Uses Licensee Toolkit web site
community through the NRC medical list server (https://www.nrc.gov/materials/miau/med-use- toolkit.html#mls) and the NRC Medical Uses Licensee Toolkit website


(https://www.nrc.gov/materials/miau/med-use-toolkit.html).
(https://www.nrc.gov/materials/miau/med-use-toolkit.html).


The regulations in 10 CFR Part 35 continue to offer an alterna  te training pathway for
The regulations in 10 CFR Part 35 continue to offer an alternate training pathway for


individuals affected by the ABRs discontinuation and who may s  eek to become authorized
individuals affected by the ABRs discontinuation and who may seek to become authorized


individuals on an NRC or Agreement State license or permit in t he future. The NRC is not
individuals on an NRC or Agreement State license or permit in the future. The NRC is not


undertaking any rulemaking to revise the existing training and   experience requirements as a
undertaking any rulemaking to revise the existing training and experience requirements as a


result of the ABRs decision.
result of the ABRs decision.


==BACKGROUND==
==BACKGROUND==
The ABR is one of the NRC-recognized specialty boards listed on   the Specialty Board
The ABR is one of the NRC-recognized specialty boards listed on the Specialty Board


Certifications Recognized by NRC Under 10 CFR Part 35 public we  bsite, with certification
Certifications Recognized by NRC Under 10 CFR Part 35 public website, with certification


processes for certain specialty areas that meet the NRCs train ing and experience requirements
processes for certain specialty areas that meet the NRCs training and experience requirements


under 10 CFR Part 35. On April 24, 2002, the NRC published in the Federal Register (FR) (67 FR 20249) a final rule to 10 CFR Part 35 that provided, among o  ther things, a pathway for
under 10 CFR Part 35. On April 24, 2002, the NRC published in the Federal Register (FR) (67 FR 20249) a final rule to 10 CFR Part 35 that provided, among other things, a pathway for


physicians to become authorized user s if certified by a medical or specialty board whose
physicians to become authorized users if certified by a medical or specialty board whose


certification process is recognized by the Commission. On Mar  ch 30, 2005 (70 FR 16335), the
certification process is recognized by the Commission. On March 30, 2005 (70 FR 16335), the


NRC also published a final rule, 10 CFR Part 35Medical Use of                               Byproduct Material
NRC also published a final rule, 10 CFR Part 35Medical Use of Byproduct Material


Recognition of Specialty Boards, that provided, among other th  ings, the updated criteria that
Recognition of Specialty Boards, that provided, among other things, the updated criteria that


specialty boards must meet to be recognized by the NRC or the A greement States.
specialty boards must meet to be recognized by the NRC or the Agreement States.


Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) Office Procedure MSST-70-03, Procedures for Recognizing, Monitoring, and Terminating the Ce  rtification Process of Specialty
Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) Office Procedure MSST-70-03, Procedures for Recognizing, Monitoring, and Terminating the Certification Process of Specialty


Boards, dated January 7, 2021 (ML20351A389), provides guidance   to the NRC staff and
Boards, dated January 7, 2021 (ML20351A389), provides guidance to the NRC staff and


Agreement States on how to request and evaluate applications fr  om specialty boards to
Agreement States on how to request and evaluate applications from specialty boards to


determine whether their certification processes satisfy the req  uirements for recognition. The
determine whether their certification processes satisfy the requirements for recognition. The


procedure also provides instructions on posting recognized boar  d certifications on the NRC
procedure also provides instructions on posting recognized board certifications on the NRC


Medical Uses Licensee Toolkit website.
Medical Uses Licensee Toolkit website.


On March 30, 2022, the ABR hosted a webinar to share information about i  ts decision to
On March 30, 2022, the ABR hosted a webinar to share information about its decision to


discontinue its NRC recogniti on and stop including individual authorization designations for AUs, AMPs, and RSOs on ABR certificates issued after December 31, 2023. The recording of the
discontinue its NRC recognition and stop including individual authorization designations for AUs, AMPs, and RSOs on ABR certificates issued after December 31, 2023. The recording of the


session as well as answers to frequently asked questions are av  ailable on the ABR website
session as well as answers to frequently asked questions are available on the ABR website


(https://www.theabr.org/blogs/authorized-user-eligibility-webin  ar-recording-and-faqs-available).
(https://www.theabr.org/blogs/authorized-user-eligibility-webinar-recording-and-faqs-available).


The NRCs Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes (A CMUI) Subcommittee on
The NRCs Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes (ACMUI) Subcommittee on


Training and Experience for All Modalities reviewed and evaluat  ed the impacts of the ABRs
Training and Experience for All Modalities reviewed and evaluated the impacts of the ABRs


request to discontinue NRC recognition. The subcommittee provid  ed its feedback and
request to discontinue NRC recognition. The subcommittee provided its feedback and


recommendations in a report presented to the full committee dur  ing the ACMUI 2022 Fall Public
recommendations in a report presented to the full committee during the ACMUI 2022 Fall Public


Meeting on December 5, 2022. The report was unanimously approved by the full committee
Meeting on December 5, 2022. The report was unanimously approved by the full committee


during its public meeting on May 15, 2023. The subcommittee rep  ort (ML23136A459) and
during its public meeting on May 15, 2023. The subcommittee report (ML23136A459) and


transcripts from the meeting can be accessed on the ACMUIs web  site
transcripts from the meeting can be accessed on the ACMUIs website


(https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/acmui/meetings/ 2022.html). On September 12, 2023, the NRC held a public meeting on the ABRs decision   to eliminate its
(https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/acmui/meetings/2022.html). On September 12, 2023, the NRC held a public meeting on the ABRs decision to eliminate its


NRC-recognized certification processes and discontinue or stop   issuing all NRC-recognized
NRC-recognized certification processes and discontinue or stop issuing all NRC-recognized


ABR certificates after December 31, 2023. The NRC staff also re  sponded to questions and
ABR certificates after December 31, 2023. The NRC staff also responded to questions and


provided information on how affected individuals seeking to bec  ome authorized individuals in
provided information on how affected individuals seeking to become authorized individuals in


the future can apply for authorization. The meeting summary (ML  23283A056), meeting
the future can apply for authorization. The meeting summary (ML23283A056), meeting


transcript, and NRC staff presentation can be accessed on the NRC Medical Uses   Licensee
transcript, and NRC staff presentation can be accessed on the NRC Medical Uses Licensee


Toolkit website.
Toolkit website.


==DISCUSSION==
==DISCUSSION==
The NRCs regulations require that individuals complete trainin  g and meet experience criteria to
The NRCs regulations require that individuals complete training and meet experience criteria to


be authorized for the medical use of byproduct material and to   independently fulfill the
be authorized for the medical use of byproduct material and to independently fulfill the


radiation-safety-related duties of an authorized individual. Th  e regulations in 10 CFR Part 35 provide three main pathways for individuals seeking to become a  uthorized and listed on a
radiation-safety-related duties of an authorized individual. The regulations in 10 CFR Part 35 provide three main pathways for individuals seeking to become authorized and listed on a


medical use radioactive materials license to satisfy the traini  ng and experience requirements
medical use radioactive materials license to satisfy the training and experience requirements


and be initially approved and listed as an authorized individua  l for uses identified on a license:
and be initially approved and listed as an authorized individual for uses identified on a license:


(1)                                                                     approval of an individual who is certified by a medical spe cialty board that has a
(1)  
approval of an individual who is certified by a medical specialty board that has a


certification process recogniz ed by the NRC or an Agreement State as meeting the
certification process recognized by the NRC or an Agreement State as meeting the


NRCs requirements for training and experience, also known as t he board certification
NRCs requirements for training and experience, also known as the board certification


pathway;
pathway;


(2)                                                                     approval based on an evaluation of an individuals training   and experience, including
(2)  
approval based on an evaluation of an individuals training and experience, including


completion of hours of classroom and laboratory training and ho  urs of supervised work
completion of hours of classroom and laboratory training and hours of supervised work


experience (including patient casework), as well as a preceptor   written attestation; also
experience (including patient casework), as well as a preceptor written attestation; also


known as the alternate training pathway; and
known as the alternate training pathway; and


(3)                                                                     approval based on previous identification as an authorized   individual on an NRC or
(3)  
approval based on previous identification as an authorized individual on an NRC or


Agreement State license or permit.
Agreement State license or permit.


The regulations in 10 CFR Part 35 provide a training pathway th  rough NRC-recognized
The regulations in 10 CFR Part 35 provide a training pathway through NRC-recognized


specialty boards for possible identification on a license as an   authorized individual, by which a
specialty boards for possible identification on a license as an authorized individual, by which a


recognized board reviews and approves the individuals training   and work experience. Once a
recognized board reviews and approves the individuals training and work experience. Once a


boards certification process for a specialty area meets the NR  C training and experience
boards certification process for a specialty area meets the NRC training and experience


regulations in 10 CFR Part 35 and is recognized by the NRC or r  elevant Agreement State, a
regulations in 10 CFR Part 35 and is recognized by the NRC or relevant Agreement State, a


licensee may submit a licensing action request for any individu  al certified by that recognized
licensee may submit a licensing action request for any individual certified by that recognized


specialty board to become an authorized individual on a radioac  tive materials medical use
specialty board to become an authorized individual on a radioactive materials medical use


license, and NRC and Agreement State license reviewers may grant these approvals.
license, and NRC and Agreement State license reviewers may grant these approvals.


Additionally, the NRC requires that an individual meet the prov isions of 10 CFR 35.59, Recentness of training, which require that an individual must   have (1) completed their training
Additionally, the NRC requires that an individual meet the provisions of 10 CFR 35.59, Recentness of training, which require that an individual must have (1) completed their training


and experience within 7 years preceding the date of the applica  tion or (2) had related continuing
and experience within 7 years preceding the date of the application or (2) had related continuing


education and experience since completion of the required train  ing and experience. This means
education and experience since completion of the required training and experience. This means


that individuals who have received the ABR certificates with AU /AMP/RSO-Eligible designations
that individuals who have received the ABR certificates with AU/AMP/RSO-Eligible designations


before December 31, 2023, can use those certificates to obtain   authorized individual status
before December 31, 2023, can use those certificates to obtain authorized individual status


through the board certification pathway, if authorized individu  al status is requested within
through the board certification pathway, if authorized individual status is requested within


7 years from the certificates date of issuance.
7 years from the certificates date of issuance.


The NRC staff maintains the Specialty Board Certifications Reco gnized by NRC Under
The NRC staff maintains the Specialty Board Certifications Recognized by NRC Under


10 CFR Part 35 public website that lists the specialty boards a  nd specialty areas recognized by
10 CFR Part 35 public website that lists the specialty boards and specialty areas recognized by


the NRC. As part of the NRC recognition process, the specialty boards submit a sample
the NRC. As part of the NRC recognition process, the specialty boards submit a sample


certificate for each recognized specialty area. Recertification   certificates are not recognized or used in this process. This website also provides samples of board certificates to all  ow license
certificate for each recognized specialty area. Recertification certificates are not recognized or used in this process. This website also provides samples of board certificates to allow license


reviewers to compare the sample certificates to the certificate  s submitted as part of a licensing
reviewers to compare the sample certificates to the certificates submitted as part of a licensing


action.
action.


Effective January 1, 2024, the ABRs certification processes an  d certificates will no longer be
Effective January 1, 2024, the ABRs certification processes and certificates will no longer be


recognized by the NRC or Agreement States, and the NRC Specialty Board website and the
recognized by the NRC or Agreement States, and the NRC Specialty Board website and the


ABR sample certificate effective dates will be updated to refle  ct the new recognition status and
ABR sample certificate effective dates will be updated to reflect the new recognition status and


date of discontinuation. Individuals with valid NRC-recognized   ABR certificates issued before
date of discontinuation. Individuals with valid NRC-recognized ABR certificates issued before


December 31, 2023, may use these certificates to request author  ization through the board
December 31, 2023, may use these certificates to request authorization through the board


certification pathway. Individuals with ABR certificates that a  re not NRC recognized have the
certification pathway. Individuals with ABR certificates that are not NRC recognized have the


option to seek authorization through an alternate NRC training and experience pathway as
option to seek authorization through an alternate NRC training and experience pathway as


provided for in 10 CFR Part 35. This alternate training pathway   is for individuals without an
provided for in 10 CFR Part 35. This alternate training pathway is for individuals without an


NRC-recognized certificate to have their training documentation   reviewed and approved directly
NRC-recognized certificate to have their training documentation reviewed and approved directly


by the NRC or Agreement States to allow for possible authorizat  ion. Potential applicants are
by the NRC or Agreement States to allow for possible authorization. Potential applicants are


reminded of the importance of maintaining appropriate documenta  tion to facilitate the approval
reminded of the importance of maintaining appropriate documentation to facilitate the approval


process for becoming an authorized individual.
process for becoming an authorized individual.


==CONTACT==
==CONTACT==
This IN requires no specific action or written response. If you   have any questions about the
This IN requires no specific action or written response. If you have any questions about the


information in this notice, please contact the technical contac  t listed below or the appropriate
information in this notice, please contact the technical contact listed below or the appropriate


regional office.
regional office.


/RA/                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 /RA/
/RA/  
/RA/  


Kevin Williams, Director                                                                                          Russell Felts, Director
Kevin Williams, Director


Division of Materials Safety, Security,                                                                           Division of Reactor Oversight
Division of Materials Safety, Security, State, and Tribal Programs
 
State, and Tribal Programs                                                                                       Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation


Office of Nuclear Material Safety
Office of Nuclear Material Safety


and Safeguards
and Safeguards
Russell Felts, Director
Division of Reactor Oversight
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation


===Technical Contact:===
===Technical Contact:===
Maryann Ayoade, NMSS
(301) 415-0862
Email: Maryann.Ayoade@nrc.gov
Note: NRC generic communications may be found on the NRC public website, www.nrc.gov, under NRC Library/Document Collections.
ML23304A144
EPIDS No. L-2023-GEN-0011 OFFICE Tech Editor
NMSS/MSST/MSEB
NMSS/MSST/MSEB NMSS/MSST/MSEB OE
OCIO
NAME JDougherty
MAyoade
CValentin-Rodriguez CEinberg
JPeralta
DCullison
DATE  11/02/2023
10/31/2023
  11/01/2023
    11/07/202311
    11/14/2023
  11/17/2023 OFFICE NRR/DRO/IOEB
NRR/DRO/IOLB


===Maryann Ayoade, NMSS===
NRR/DRO/IOEB
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        (301) 415-0862 Email: Maryann.Ayoade@nrc.gov


Note: NRC generic communications may be found on the NRC public  website, www.nrc.gov, under NRC Library/Document Collections.
NMSS/MSST


ML23304A144                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  EPIDS No. L-2023-GEN-0011
NRR/DRO


OFFICE          Tech Editor                                                                                                                            NMSS/MSST/MSEB                                      NMSS/MSST/MSEB                      NMSS/MSST/MSEB                      OE                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            OCIO
NAME PClark


NAME                      JDougherty                                                                                                                                      MAyoade                                                                                                                                                                                                    CValentin-Rodriguez                CEinberg                                                                                                                                                                                      JPeralta                                                                                                                                                                                                                      DCullison
IBetts


DATE                          11/02/2023                                                                                                                                10/31/2023                                                                                                                                                                          11/01/2023                                                                                                                                          11/07/202311                                                                                      11/14/2023                                                                                                                                        11/17/2023
LRegner


OFFICE          NRR/DRO/IOEB                                                              NRR/DRO/IOLB                                                                                                  NRR/DRO/IOEB                                                                              NMSS/MSST                                                                                                                          NRR/DRO
KWilliams


NAME                      PClark                                                                                                                                                                                                          IBetts                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          LRegner                                                                                                                                                                                                KWilliams                                                                                                                                                                              R Felts
R Felts


DATE                         11/06/2023                                                                                                                                         11/21/2023                                                                                                                                                                           11/29/2023                                                                                                                                       11/30/2023                                                                                                                                                         11/30/2023}}
DATE 11/06/2023  
11/21/2023  
  11/29/2023  
11/30/2023  
11/30/2023}}


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Latest revision as of 08:03, 25 November 2024

Discontinuation of U.S. NRC Recognition of the American Board of Radiologys Certification Processes
ML23304A144
Person / Time
Issue date: 11/30/2023
From: Russell Felts, Kevin Williams
Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, NRC/NRR/DRO/IOEB
To:
References
IN-2023-05
Download: ML23304A144 (5)
v • d • e


ML23304A144 UNITED STATES

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDS

WASHINGTON, DC 20555-0001

November 30, 2023

NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 2023-05: DISCONTINUATION OF THE U.S. NUCLEAR

REGULATORY COMMISSIONS RECOGNITION OF

THE AMERICAN BOARD OF RADIOLOGYS

CERTIFICATION PROCESSES

ADDRESSEES

All U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) medical use licensees and NRC master

materials licensees. All Agreement State Radiation Control Program Directors and State Liaison

Officers.

PURPOSE

The NRC is issuing this information notice (IN) to inform addressees about the discontinuation

of the NRCs recognition of the American Board of Radiology (ABR) certification processes and

to remind addressees about the existing pathways for authorization under Title 10 of the Code

of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 35, Medical Use of Byproduct Material. The NRC

expects that recipients will review the information for applicability to their facilities and consider

actions, as appropriate. Information contained in this IN are not new requirements and no

specific action or written response is required. The NRC is providing this IN to the Agreement

States for their information and for distribution to their licensees, as appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF CIRCUMSTANCES

Recently, the ABR, a major specialty board recognized by the NRC, informed the NRC of its

intention to stop maintaining NRC recognition and requested that the NRC stop recognizing its

certification processes after December 31, 2023. The ABR requested the discontinuation in a

letter to the NRC dated April 6, 2022 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management

System Accession No. ML22091A272). The ABR issues NRC-recognized certificates to many

individuals (including physicians, physicists, and radiation safety officers (RSOs)). Its NRC-

recognized certificates enable individuals to become authorized and listed as Authorized Users

(AUs), Authorized Medical Physicists (AMPs), and Radiation Safety Officers (RSOs) or

associate RSOs on medical use radioactive materials licenses using a board certification

training pathway in accordance with criteria outlined in 10 CFR Part 35.

The NRC has recognized the ABRs certification processes (with certificates that include

authorized individual designations, i.e., AU-Eligible, AMP-Eligible, and RSO-Eligible), since

2005 and will discontinue this recognition as requested. After December 31, 2023, the NRC will

no longer recognize certification processes offered by the ABR as complying with the NRC

training regulations in 10 CFR Part 35. Any ABR certificates issued after December 31, 2023, will not be acceptable for authorization for medical use through the board certification pathway.

This discontinuation is the result of ABRs request and is not a result of NRC-identified

insufficiencies in the certification processes. The NRC staff will update the Specialty Board Certifications Recognized by NRC Under 10 CFR Part 35 public website

(https://www.nrc.gov/materials/miau/med-use-toolkit/spec-board-cert.html) and will share the

termination letter and associated supporting information with the public and the medical

community through the NRC medical list server (https://www.nrc.gov/materials/miau/med-use- toolkit.html#mls) and the NRC Medical Uses Licensee Toolkit website

(https://www.nrc.gov/materials/miau/med-use-toolkit.html).

The regulations in 10 CFR Part 35 continue to offer an alternate training pathway for

individuals affected by the ABRs discontinuation and who may seek to become authorized

individuals on an NRC or Agreement State license or permit in the future. The NRC is not

undertaking any rulemaking to revise the existing training and experience requirements as a

result of the ABRs decision.

BACKGROUND

The ABR is one of the NRC-recognized specialty boards listed on the Specialty Board

Certifications Recognized by NRC Under 10 CFR Part 35 public website, with certification

processes for certain specialty areas that meet the NRCs training and experience requirements

under 10 CFR Part 35. On April 24, 2002, the NRC published in the Federal Register (FR) (67 FR 20249) a final rule to 10 CFR Part 35 that provided, among other things, a pathway for

physicians to become authorized users if certified by a medical or specialty board whose

certification process is recognized by the Commission. On March 30, 2005 (70 FR 16335), the

NRC also published a final rule, 10 CFR Part 35Medical Use of Byproduct Material

Recognition of Specialty Boards, that provided, among other things, the updated criteria that

specialty boards must meet to be recognized by the NRC or the Agreement States.

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) Office Procedure MSST-70-03, Procedures for Recognizing, Monitoring, and Terminating the Certification Process of Specialty

Boards, dated January 7, 2021 (ML20351A389), provides guidance to the NRC staff and

Agreement States on how to request and evaluate applications from specialty boards to

determine whether their certification processes satisfy the requirements for recognition. The

procedure also provides instructions on posting recognized board certifications on the NRC

Medical Uses Licensee Toolkit website.

On March 30, 2022, the ABR hosted a webinar to share information about its decision to

discontinue its NRC recognition and stop including individual authorization designations for AUs, AMPs, and RSOs on ABR certificates issued after December 31, 2023. The recording of the

session as well as answers to frequently asked questions are available on the ABR website

(https://www.theabr.org/blogs/authorized-user-eligibility-webinar-recording-and-faqs-available).

The NRCs Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes (ACMUI) Subcommittee on

Training and Experience for All Modalities reviewed and evaluated the impacts of the ABRs

request to discontinue NRC recognition. The subcommittee provided its feedback and

recommendations in a report presented to the full committee during the ACMUI 2022 Fall Public

Meeting on December 5, 2022. The report was unanimously approved by the full committee

during its public meeting on May 15, 2023. The subcommittee report (ML23136A459) and

transcripts from the meeting can be accessed on the ACMUIs website

(https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/acmui/meetings/2022.html). On September 12, 2023, the NRC held a public meeting on the ABRs decision to eliminate its

NRC-recognized certification processes and discontinue or stop issuing all NRC-recognized

ABR certificates after December 31, 2023. The NRC staff also responded to questions and

provided information on how affected individuals seeking to become authorized individuals in

the future can apply for authorization. The meeting summary (ML23283A056), meeting

transcript, and NRC staff presentation can be accessed on the NRC Medical Uses Licensee

Toolkit website.

DISCUSSION

The NRCs regulations require that individuals complete training and meet experience criteria to

be authorized for the medical use of byproduct material and to independently fulfill the

radiation-safety-related duties of an authorized individual. The regulations in 10 CFR Part 35 provide three main pathways for individuals seeking to become authorized and listed on a

medical use radioactive materials license to satisfy the training and experience requirements

and be initially approved and listed as an authorized individual for uses identified on a license:

(1)

approval of an individual who is certified by a medical specialty board that has a

certification process recognized by the NRC or an Agreement State as meeting the

NRCs requirements for training and experience, also known as the board certification

pathway;

(2)

approval based on an evaluation of an individuals training and experience, including

completion of hours of classroom and laboratory training and hours of supervised work

experience (including patient casework), as well as a preceptor written attestation; also

known as the alternate training pathway; and

(3)

approval based on previous identification as an authorized individual on an NRC or

Agreement State license or permit.

The regulations in 10 CFR Part 35 provide a training pathway through NRC-recognized

specialty boards for possible identification on a license as an authorized individual, by which a

recognized board reviews and approves the individuals training and work experience. Once a

boards certification process for a specialty area meets the NRC training and experience

regulations in 10 CFR Part 35 and is recognized by the NRC or relevant Agreement State, a

licensee may submit a licensing action request for any individual certified by that recognized

specialty board to become an authorized individual on a radioactive materials medical use

license, and NRC and Agreement State license reviewers may grant these approvals.

Additionally, the NRC requires that an individual meet the provisions of 10 CFR 35.59, Recentness of training, which require that an individual must have (1) completed their training

and experience within 7 years preceding the date of the application or (2) had related continuing

education and experience since completion of the required training and experience. This means

that individuals who have received the ABR certificates with AU/AMP/RSO-Eligible designations

before December 31, 2023, can use those certificates to obtain authorized individual status

through the board certification pathway, if authorized individual status is requested within

7 years from the certificates date of issuance.

The NRC staff maintains the Specialty Board Certifications Recognized by NRC Under

10 CFR Part 35 public website that lists the specialty boards and specialty areas recognized by

the NRC. As part of the NRC recognition process, the specialty boards submit a sample

certificate for each recognized specialty area. Recertification certificates are not recognized or used in this process. This website also provides samples of board certificates to allow license

reviewers to compare the sample certificates to the certificates submitted as part of a licensing

action.

Effective January 1, 2024, the ABRs certification processes and certificates will no longer be

recognized by the NRC or Agreement States, and the NRC Specialty Board website and the

ABR sample certificate effective dates will be updated to reflect the new recognition status and

date of discontinuation. Individuals with valid NRC-recognized ABR certificates issued before

December 31, 2023, may use these certificates to request authorization through the board

certification pathway. Individuals with ABR certificates that are not NRC recognized have the

option to seek authorization through an alternate NRC training and experience pathway as

provided for in 10 CFR Part 35. This alternate training pathway is for individuals without an

NRC-recognized certificate to have their training documentation reviewed and approved directly

by the NRC or Agreement States to allow for possible authorization. Potential applicants are

reminded of the importance of maintaining appropriate documentation to facilitate the approval

process for becoming an authorized individual.

CONTACT

This IN requires no specific action or written response. If you have any questions about the

information in this notice, please contact the technical contact listed below or the appropriate

regional office.

/RA/

/RA/

Kevin Williams, Director

Division of Materials Safety, Security, State, and Tribal Programs

Office of Nuclear Material Safety

and Safeguards

Russell Felts, Director

Division of Reactor Oversight

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical Contact:

Maryann Ayoade, NMSS

(301) 415-0862

Email: Maryann.Ayoade@nrc.gov

Note: NRC generic communications may be found on the NRC public website, www.nrc.gov, under NRC Library/Document Collections.

ML23304A144

EPIDS No. L-2023-GEN-0011 OFFICE Tech Editor

NMSS/MSST/MSEB

NMSS/MSST/MSEB NMSS/MSST/MSEB OE

OCIO

NAME JDougherty

MAyoade

CValentin-Rodriguez CEinberg

JPeralta

DCullison

DATE 11/02/2023

10/31/2023

11/01/2023

11/07/202311

11/14/2023

11/17/2023 OFFICE NRR/DRO/IOEB

NRR/DRO/IOLB

NRR/DRO/IOEB

NMSS/MSST

NRR/DRO

NAME PClark

IBetts

LRegner

KWilliams

R Felts

DATE 11/06/2023

11/21/2023

11/29/2023

11/30/2023

11/30/2023


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