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Studies & Degrees in Nuclear Medicine Technology

Nuclear medicine technology is the health profession that uses small amounts of radioactive drugs, called radiopharmaceuticals, to produce images of how organs work and to treat some diseases. The technologist prepares the radioactive drug, gives it to the patient, operates the scanner or camera that detects the radiation and keeps the records of each procedure. A physician interprets the images. PET scans, bone scans and nuclear cardiology studies are typical examples, and the same techniques are used to deliver radiation to tumours.

Programmes combine science with supervised work in a hospital. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, they often include human anatomy and physiology, physics, chemistry, radioactive drugs and computer science, plus clinical experience under a certified nuclear medicine technologist and a physician who specialises in nuclear medicine. Radiation protection runs through the whole course: technologists wear badges that measure radiation levels, and their exposure is recorded over their working life.

Qualifications and levels

Most of the schools in this directory are in the United States, where formal programmes lead to a certificate, an associate degree or a bachelor's degree. Technologists typically need an associate degree from an accredited programme, and bachelor's degrees are also common. People who already hold a degree in a related health field, such as radiologic technology or nursing, can add a 12-month certificate in nuclear medicine technology.

Accreditation is the first thing to check. The Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT) evaluates nuclear medicine technology programmes in the United States, and its directory shows the award of each accredited programme. Among the schools listed here, it records:

  • Ferris State University (Big Rapids, Michigan): bachelor's degree
  • Bellevue College (Washington) and Delaware Technical & Community College: associate degree
  • Broward College (Florida) and Gateway Community College in New Haven, now part of CT State Community College: associate degree and certificate
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham: a Master of Science in Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Sciences, with three semesters of mentored clinical practice

After graduating, most technologists take a certification exam. The Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) awards the CNMT credential, and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certifies technologists in nuclear medicine technology as ARRT(N). Some US states also require a licence, and the requirements vary by state. Specialty certificates exist for PET, nuclear cardiology and computed tomography.

In Spain the route is vocational. The official qualification is Técnico Superior en Imagen para el Diagnóstico y Medicina Nuclear, a higher vocational training programme (FP de grado superior) of 2,000 hours in the health family. It covers X-ray, CT, magnetic resonance and nuclear medicine imaging and radiopharmacy, and includes a training period in a workplace. Holders work under the supervision of the specialist physician, with accreditation as operators of radioactive installations from the Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear (CSN).

Where to study it

The directory lists 13 active schools for this subject: 11 in the United States, one in the Netherlands and one in Russia. The US schools are community colleges and universities, and they teach in English. The JRCNMT points out that this is a small field, so there is not a programme in every state, and that online programmes are not the norm. Students should expect to study on site and possibly to move for the course or for the clinical placement.

Class sizes are small: the JRCNMT directory gives a student capacity of 9 at Delaware Technical & Community College and 30 at Ferris State University. Programmes start in different months and set their own admission criteria, so each one has to be checked separately. International applicants should also ask whether the clinical placement is open to them and whether the qualification allows them to sit the NMTCB or ARRT exam.

Careers

Nuclear medicine technologists held about 17,400 jobs in the United States in 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics; 71% worked in hospitals and 14% in physicians' offices. The same source projects employment growth of 4% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations, with about 800 openings a year. Most technologists work full time, some work evenings or weekends, and those in hospitals may be on call.

In Spain, the official description of the vocational qualification lists posts such as specialist technician in nuclear medicine or in diagnostic radiology, in public and private health services, research centres and veterinary centres.

Frequently asked questions

What degree do you need to become a nuclear medicine technologist?

In the United States technologists typically need an associate degree from an accredited nuclear medicine technology programme; bachelor's degrees and 12-month certificates for graduates of related health fields are also common. In Spain the qualification is a higher vocational training title of 2,000 hours.

How do I know whether a US programme is accredited?

The JRCNMT publishes a directory of accredited nuclear medicine technology programmes by state, with the award, start month and student capacity of each one.

Is certification compulsory?

Most nuclear medicine technologists in the United States become certified, through the NMTCB or the ARRT, and some states require a licence. Some employers ask for certification whatever the state rules are.

Can nuclear medicine technology be studied online?

Rarely. The JRCNMT describes the programmes as very traditional in format, and they include supervised clinical experience.