The NEO Authorized User Training for Physician program satisfies the NRC requirement for the minimum number of classroom and laboratory training of 80 hours for 35.290 & 35.396 and 200 hours for 35.390. Physicians can meet the didactic training requirements for both the NRC Authorized User License requirement or agreement state equivalent.
Note: Supervision of an authorized user physician is required to obtain the full experiential hours outside the scope of an online program. This program requires authorized user attestation to basic handling in a “laboratory” format prior to granting of the certificate.
This is NOT the same as 500 hours supervised experience under the preceptor authorized user.
Curriculum
NEO combines the web-based curriculum with experiential training at their local institution or nuclear pharmacy to provide students with hands-on experience.
80 Hour
1. Physics & Instrumentation
2. Radiation Biology
3. Radiation Chemistry
4. Radiation Safety and Regulations
200-Hour
1. Nuclear Physics
2. Nuclear Instrumentation
3. Radiation Biology & Protection
4. Radiochemistry & Regulations
What is the time frame for completion of the course?
The online learning environment provides scheduling flexibility. The student is responsible for their own learning process. This course is designed to fit into the learner’s schedule. Each of the course blocks can be completed independently, offering maximum flexibility. For example, one module could be assigned during each nuclear medicine rotation in a fellowship program.
Students have access to lecture notes and course materials presented within the learning management system. Within each course block, there are a number of learning modules. The learning modules contain review questions to help reinforce the information presented. At the end of the course block, students are required to take the final exam to demonstrate comprehension of the material presented. As the student successfully completes the course block by scoring a 70% or better on the final exam, they will proceed to the next course block.
What does the experiential portion of the program entail?
The NEO program is modeled after the education and training requirements of the NRC. It contains the 80-hour or 200-hour of didactic education with an accompanying workbook for the experiential component. The experiential “lab” portion is intended to help reinforce the didactic coursework. It will help the student to become more familiar with different aspects of nuclear medicine, besides reading scans. The experiential component of the program can be completed in the nuclear medicine department at the hospital or at the local nuclear pharmacy.
Note: The experiential component of NEO is NOT The same as the preceptor attestation of the full experiential hours required by the NRC. More information on authorized user preceptor attestation can be found on the NRC’s website or by consulting the institutional RSO.
What kind of computer do I need to take this course?
NEO does not recommend any particular brand of computer. The student must have access to a computer that is connected to the internet and allow the student to browse the web. With the assigned UserID and password, students can log in to any computer, anywhere and access all of the course materials. Students can access the information and print out the study materials to be study off-line if desired.
Tuition
- Physician: 200 hr program $4200
- Physician: 80 hr program $2500
- Residents: 200 hr program $3200
- Residents: 80 program $1500
- Other AU: 200 hour program $6300 (non-pharmacist authorized user)
| Participants | 80 hours | 200 hours |
| Fellows | $1500 | $3200 |
| Physicians | $2500 | $4200 |
Are there required textbooks or reference materials?
Much of the educational material is available online for students. Most textbooks available in the fellowship/residency programs will be helpful, however there are some recommendations posted.
Course Recognition
The Nuclear Education Online program is generally recognized by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory commission (NRC) and agreement states. The course fulfills the didactic training required by the NRC. The program is also accepted by the CBNC to satisfy eligibility requirements for the 80 hours of training that meets the NRC topic requirements.
Students completing the entire structured program will receive a certificate of completion that can be used to show proof of completion of 80 or 200 didactic hours of authorized user training. This would be coupled with authorized user preceptor attestation of experiential training to be added to a radioactive materials license.