History
In the early 1970s, the Society of Nuclear Medicine, the American College of Nuclear Physicians, and the American College of Nuclear Medicine were concerned about the important role of the Nuclear Medicine Scientist in the routine delivery of nuclear medicine and this promoted their review of the need for certifying of health care specialists in the field of Nuclear Medicine Science. Committees were established, and intensive study indicated that a certifying board for Nuclear Medicine Science should be established. In 1976, the three organizations agreed to co-sponsor a board -- The American Board of Science in Nuclear Medicine (ABSNM). The ABSNM board was established to develop procedures and standards to examine candidates and issue certification to those individuals who satisfy the requirements established by the board.
The American Board of Science in Nuclear Medicine was incorporated on September 9, 1976. The Board of Directors of the ABSNM currently consists of 14 sponsored members and one public member. Current Board composition consists of four members from the American College of Nuclear Medicine (ACNM), two members from the World Molecular Imaging Society (WMIS), and eight members from the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI). Four of the eight members from SNMMI represent the following Councils or Centers of Excellence: the Radiopharmaceutical Sciences Council; the Physics, Instrumentation, and Data Sciences Council; the Therapy Center of Excellence, and the Center of Excellence in Molecular Imaging Innovation and Translation. Members of the ABSNM serve for a limited time. The Board submits to each organization a lists of nominees deemed by the Board to be qualified and competent who have a major interest and experience in nuclear medicine from which list the sponsoring organization shall select individuals to serve as members representing the sponsoring organization. The Board members elect officers: a Vice-President Elect, Vice-President, President, and Immediate Past President, who serve two-year terms in succession. In addition, the Board members elect a Secretary/Treasurer for a two-year term.
The Board appoints a Credentialing Committee to review the applicants for candidacy to the certifying examinations. Also, the Board appoints an Examination and Grading Committee to administer the general and subspecialty examinations and to develop appropriate examination questions.
The Board meets annually during the SNMMI Annual Meeting.
The American Board of Science in Nuclear Medicine was incorporated on September 9, 1976. The Board of Directors of the ABSNM currently consists of 14 sponsored members and one public member. Current Board composition consists of four members from the American College of Nuclear Medicine (ACNM), two members from the World Molecular Imaging Society (WMIS), and eight members from the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI). Four of the eight members from SNMMI represent the following Councils or Centers of Excellence: the Radiopharmaceutical Sciences Council; the Physics, Instrumentation, and Data Sciences Council; the Therapy Center of Excellence, and the Center of Excellence in Molecular Imaging Innovation and Translation. Members of the ABSNM serve for a limited time. The Board submits to each organization a lists of nominees deemed by the Board to be qualified and competent who have a major interest and experience in nuclear medicine from which list the sponsoring organization shall select individuals to serve as members representing the sponsoring organization. The Board members elect officers: a Vice-President Elect, Vice-President, President, and Immediate Past President, who serve two-year terms in succession. In addition, the Board members elect a Secretary/Treasurer for a two-year term.
The Board appoints a Credentialing Committee to review the applicants for candidacy to the certifying examinations. Also, the Board appoints an Examination and Grading Committee to administer the general and subspecialty examinations and to develop appropriate examination questions.
The Board meets annually during the SNMMI Annual Meeting.
Objectives
The objectives and purposes of the American Board of Science in Nuclear Medicine include the following:
- To elevate the standards of graduate education in nuclear medical science. For the purposes of the Board, the practice of nuclear medical science is defined as dealing with diagnostic, therapeutic (exclusive of sealed radiation sources) and investigative uses of radionuclides.
- To establish and determine qualifications of voluntary candidates requesting examination for certification in nuclear medical sciences.
- To arrange, control, and conduct examinations to test the competence of the candidates for certification.
- To grant and issue certificates in nuclear medical science to applicants who have been found qualified by the Board. No certificates granted or issued by the Board shall confer or purport to confer upon any person any legal qualification, privilege, or license to practice nuclear medicine or any other specialty or branch of medicine, nor shall it purport to be used under, in pursuance of, or by virtue of any statutory governmental authority.
- To maintain a registry of holders of such certificates, and serve the medical and lay public by preparing and furnishing lists of practitioners who have been certified by the Board.
- In general, to encourage the study and improve the practice of nuclear medical science.