NMTCB(RS) study plan
NMTCB(RS) · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
General Nuclear Medicine (CNMT)
Map the General NM domain into a written outline covering radiopharmacy, instrumentation, and radiation safety subtopics
Define and memorize the decay modes, half-lives, and energies of the most common diagnostic radionuclides
Build a one-page reference table of radiopharmaceuticals paired with their clinical indications
Solve 25 radiopharmacy and radionuclide calculation problems with written work shown
Your checkpoint
A completed radionuclide/radiopharmaceutical reference table plus a scored 25-question calculation set with corrections noted
General Nuclear Medicine (CNMT)
Explain the operation of the gamma camera from collimator through photomultiplier tube to image formation
Differentiate collimator types and predict how each affects resolution and sensitivity
Describe QC tests for the gamma camera and state the acceptance criteria for each
Perform and check dose-calibrator, well-counter, and survey-meter QC calculations
Your checkpoint
A written instrumentation and QC summary sheet listing each QC test, its frequency, and its passing criterion
General Nuclear Medicine (CNMT)
Apply ALARA principles to calculate dose, exposure, and shielding scenarios
Classify radioactive waste and describe proper handling, storage, and disposal per regulation categories
Interpret a decay-correction and patient-release scenario using standard regulatory limits
Complete 30 mixed general NM practice items under timed conditions
Your checkpoint
A timed 30-item practice set with a written error log categorizing each miss by subtopic
General Nuclear Medicine (CNMT) & Post-Primary Computed Tomography (NMTCB(CT))
Review the major clinical NM procedures by system and match each to its radiopharmaceutical, dose route, and patient prep
Identify normal biodistribution and common artifacts for each major study type
Begin CT foundations by outlining x-ray production and beam-interaction principles
Complete a cumulative 40-item General NM review and score at or above target
Your checkpoint
A cumulative General NM practice exam score with a remediation list of the three weakest subtopics
Post-Primary Computed Tomography (NMTCB(CT))
Describe CT scanner geometry and the sequence of data acquisition through image reconstruction
Explain window width and window level and predict how changing each alters displayed image contrast
Define CT dose metrics including CTDIvol, DLP, and effective dose and relate them to scan parameters
Calculate pitch, mAs, and dose-index relationships in worked practice problems
Your checkpoint
A worked problem set on CT dose metrics and scan parameters with all calculations shown and checked
Post-Primary Computed Tomography (NMTCB(CT))
Differentiate CT image artifacts by cause and describe the correction or mitigation for each
Explain the physics of Hounsfield unit assignment and verify HU values for air, water, and bone
Describe CT QC tests including water phantom, noise, uniformity, and slice thickness with acceptance limits
Compare filtered back projection with iterative reconstruction in terms of noise, dose, and image quality
Your checkpoint
A CT artifact-and-QC reference card mapping each artifact and QC test to its cause and acceptance criterion
Post-Primary Computed Tomography (NMTCB(CT))
Integrate CT with PET and SPECT by explaining attenuation correction and its failure modes
Identify hybrid-imaging artifacts specific to PET/CT and SPECT/CT and their causes
Apply CT protocols to attenuation correction, localization, and diagnostic interpretation contexts
Complete 40 mixed CT and hybrid-imaging practice items under timed conditions
Your checkpoint
A timed 40-item CT/hybrid practice set with a written explanation of every missed attenuation-correction item
General Nuclear Medicine (CNMT) & Post-Primary Computed Tomography (NMTCB(CT))
Take two full-length mixed practice exams simulating exam timing and conditions
Convert every missed item into a one-line fact card and review all cards to mastery
Re-drill the three weakest subtopics identified across the plan until each is answered correctly twice in a row
Finalize a one-page formula and normal-value sheet for last-day review
Your checkpoint
Two full-length practice exam scores with a completed fact-card deck and a final one-page review sheet
Milestones
Week 2: Score at least 75% on a 25-item instrumentation and QC self-quiz with all QC acceptance criteria recalled from memory
Week 4: Score at least 75% on a cumulative 40-item General NM exam and have a written remediation list for the three weakest subtopics
Week 6: Correctly solve 8 of 10 CT dose and parameter calculation problems and recall acceptance limits for the core CT QC tests
Week 8: Score at least 80% on both full-length mixed practice exams with no single domain below 70%