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Nuclear Medicine Technology Examination (ARRT, primary eligibility pathway)

The ARRT Nuclear Medicine Technology Examination is the computer-based primary-certification exam in nuclear medicine technology from The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists: 230 questions (200 scored, 30 unscored pilot) in 230 minutes, covering Patient Care, Safety, Image Production, and Procedures, delivered at Pearson test centers and required (with education and ethics requirements) for ARRT certification and registration as a nuclear medicine technologist.

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Questions230 total questions: 200 scored plus 30 unscored (pilot) items mixed in randomly and indistinguishable from scored items
Testing time230 minutes of test time (about one minute per question); total appointment length 250 minutes (4 hours 10 minutes), which adds an 8-minute tutorial, 2-minute nondisclosure agreement, and 10-minute post-exam survey
ScoringPassing requires a scaled score of 75 on the overall exam; the number of correct items needed for 75 varies by exam form
Exam feeUSD 225 primary-pathway application fee (Nuclear Medicine Technology is the 'N' primary discipline); USD 200 reapplication fee for each repeat attempt; fees are nonrefundable and not transferable between disciplines

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Study resources for ARRT Nuclear Medicine

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Exam overview

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Who runs it
ARRT
Category
Medical Imaging & Radiation Therapy
Current version
Nuclear Medicine Technology Examination Content Specifications — ARRT board approved January 2021, implementation date January 1, 2022; ARRT lists this edition as in effect 'through January 31, 2027' with a revised edition 'effective February 1, 2027'
Where it applies
United States — national
Exam languages
English
Score scale
Scaled scores 1–99; section scores 0.1–9.9 reported in tenth-point intervals
Testing provider
Pearson VUE (Pearson Professional Assessments)
Format
Computer-based at Pearson test centers; most questions multiple-choice with one best answer, some multi-select, sorting, image-selection, or video-based items; on-screen tutorial and nondisclosure agreement precede the exam
Availability
Year-round by appointment within a 365-day exam window that opens after ARRT processes the application; Pearson centers usually open Monday–Friday, some with evening or weekend hours
Results
Preliminary score shown on screen at the test center (unofficial, not retrievable after leaving); official score report posted to the ARRT online account after ARRT's post-exam analysis

Exam structure

One computer-delivered section of 200 scored questions across four content categories — Patient Care (24), Safety (25), Image Production (33), Procedures (118: Radionuclides and Radiopharmaceuticals 28, Cardiac Procedures 25, Endocrine and Oncology Procedures 25, Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary Procedures 18, Other Imaging Procedures 22) — plus 30 unscored pilot questions; both SI and conventional units of radiation measurement are used on the exam

Where rules vary

A single national exam specification is used nationwide; many states also use ARRT exams for state licensing (state.arrt.org), but that is a separate candidacy route and the exam content is uniform. Handbook notes ARRT exams are additionally offered at selected Canadian, European, Asian, and Australian test centers, but the credential/exam identity is U.S. national.

Eligibility

Before applying: complete an ARRT-verified educational program in Nuclear Medicine Technology, earn an associate (or higher) degree in any subject, and clear ARRT's ethics review; scheduling additionally requires the Candidate Status Report ARRT issues after processing the application

Retake policy

Three attempts to pass within three years of the first exam window opening; each attempt requires a new application and fee (reapplication USD 200), and state-licensing attempts in the same discipline count toward the limit