NRRPT a bachelors?

[sws]

I'm new to this field and Ive been told that the nrrpt is kinda like a bachelors in (rp, rct, hp)? As a rp or rct can the NRRPT help me out?

[Jr8black3]

What makes you a good RP? I've talked in lenth about seal tables with Marrssim they can get very nasty..Steam Generator platforms are nasty, RCP Work is nasty, under vessel pulling Control Rod Drives is nasty,  Cavity decon nasty job..

Some of the best RP's I ever worked for were deconners..I hope that I'm able to supply the same support some day..

NRRPT will come in time, I have many other hurrdles to jump over first..

Just my two sense

[thenukeman]

I agree with Jr8black3, I have a NRRPT and CHP part 1, But when it comes to field knowledge I cream the people with degrees, OH THE STORIES I CAN TELL!!!  Most sit dumbfounded and say I never seen that, I can say I have and this is why it is like that, so a stint as a deconner and maybe Jr HP at outages will be very beneficial!!

[Content1]

The NRRPT is just a test.  Until the association has essays, interviews, and written thesis it is just a test.   Should they give the additional reviews, it seems it would be like a masters degree.

[Marlin]

   Like other disciplines Health Physics/Radiation Protection/Radiation Safety/Radiological Controls is not a monolithic homogeneous entity.
  Let's start with Law Enforcement, what makes a good beat cop or patrolman may not make for a good lawyer and vise versa what makes a good lawyer does not necessarily translate to a good policeman. In the Law Enforcement community you can include Meter maids, Detectives, Attorneys, Judges, Prison Guards, Highway patrolmen, Parole Officers, etc. etc..
  There are similar divisions in the Medical world. When I certified as an EMT in Illinois I was surprised to learn that Nurses had to complete the EMT course prior to riding on an ambulance to respond to an emergency. We were taught that any doctor present was the overriding authority but that most would not interfere because the EMTs job was to stabilize and transport the Patient to an Emergency Room were a doctor could do his work in the environment he was primarily trained for.
  In the field of Health Physics these lines are little more blurred but still exist. The NRRPT although well respected is not a substitute for a degree in the field or CHP credentials. It works well with middle management and technical field positions. If you are looking to be an independent technologist, ALARA specialist, Supervisor, Radiation Safety Officer, or Radiological Engineer the NRRPT is normally very beneficial. If you want to go beyond that it is useful as credits toward a degree. In degreed positions that allow equivalent experience the NRRPT is also very beneficial as you must have 5 years of experience prior to applying for it and being registered shows some level of technical knowledge.

[Jr8black3]

Not trying to put anybody down, what I'am saying is there are alot of RP Techs, that get stuck in a job they can't handle, I seen it first hand up at Fermi last outage..I hated that outage.. Only reason I stayed is I have a gal pal there..

[HydroDave63]

OH THE STORIES I CAN TELL!!!  Most sit dumbfounded and say I never seen that,

                      I think they were dumbfound by the part in the story where you replied to the RPM " Ja, meine Befehlshaber!"   

[t_tarbox]

An NRRPT registration is not like a Bachelor's in anything.

For the few universities that give credit for NRRPT registration, the most you will receive is somewhere around 30 credit hours..give or take a few..(others here who have actually applied the registration toward college credit can give better details).

An average Bachelor's degree requires the completion of around 120 credit hours; around 156 for a Master's degree.

A Bachelor's degree is received from an accredited institution of higher learning. NRRPT registration is received from a private organization, based on their own standards. Their standards are not regulated by the Department of Education or any other entity..

Other than perhaps for a Radiation Protection Technician position, NRRPT registration is not likely going to be an acceptable substitution for a Bachelor's degree by a potential employer.

For example, It is not likely NRRPT registration would substitute for a Bachelor's degree if someone wanted to be a project manager in the nuclear field.

NRRPT is a "gold standard" for RP Techs because the industry has reviewed and accepted the organization's criteria for registration; should the industry ever take a new direction on the concept of what is a well-qualified RP Tech, the NRRPT would be much less valuable. I suspect this is partly why the NRRPT organization is continuously reviewing and refining the testing requirements..to remain current and relevant to the industry it serves..

This is not to say that those who have completed the registry requirements should not be respected for their accomplishments; they absolutely should..as the organization does not give the registration away; those that have it, have definitely put in some legitimate work to become registered.

It is very misleading for someone to tell you the registration is "kinda like a Bachelor's".

A Bachelor's degree, NRRPT Registration and CHP Certification are three "completely different animals"; they are all deserving of respect as they all represent a level of accomplishment, but they are not interchangeable.

[grantime]

I'm new to this field and Ive been told that the nrrpt is kinda like a bachelors in (rp, rct, hp)? As a rp or rct can the NRRPT help me out?

Back to your original question.  No it's not like a degree but it can help you.  Some sites pay premium for NRRPT.  That is just a bit of extra .  Main thing is that it shows that you have put the effort into trying to master the field that you are working in.  The effort that you put in will make you a more knowledgeable tech. 

[Content1]

I got the NRRPT disk from nukeworker, it is very useful with over a 1,000 practice questions.

[sws]

Well someone seems to have a over indulged sense of self worth. Even to begin to be a knowledgable tech you have to have a healthy curiosity and to take the initiative to learn. Why else would I go straight to the source where I know there are people who have all the answers to the questions I have and could help me take the right path. I'm sorry that my questions are below what you consider to be acceptable. If you didn't like my curiosity you didn't have to look nor respond. Just remember even you had to start somewhere.....
Thank you everyone for your help! It may seem monotonous for some but I just want to be the best tech I can.

Great answers.

Reasonable commentaries.

sws is, at best, five years away from being NRRPT eligible.

By the time sws is NRRPT eligible , sws will have been exposed to all these answers.

If the curiosity is just overwhelming look here;

http://www.nrrpt.org/

It's a quick, easy google and the website is well laid out. (Some would say going to the source is easier than posting numerous questions here and trying to glean the relevant facts out of the nefarious or helpful responses.)

As to sws, welcome to nukeworker, good luck in your endeavours, keep us posted.

[UncaBuffalo]

For the few universities that give credit for NRRPT registration, the most you will receive is somewhere around 30 credit hours..give or take a few..(others here who have actually applied the registration toward college credit can give better details).

http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,261.msg24309.html#msg24309

I used the NRRPT for college credit a couple of years ago...if you click on the above thread, you can follow that saga.  (Note:  it got mixed in with another NRRPT thread, so you have to kind of pick thru the posts, but...)

[RDTroja]

Well someone seems to have a over indulged sense of self worth. Even to begin to be a knowledgable tech you have to have a healthy curiosity and to take the initiative to learn. Why else would I go straight to the source where I know there are people who have all the answers to the questions I have and could help me take the right path. I'm sorry that my questions are below what you consider to be acceptable. If you didn't like my curiosity you didn't have to look nor respond. Just remember even you had to start somewhere.....
Thank you everyone for your help! It may seem monotonous for some but I just want to be the best tech I can.

Wow. Bad response to a mostly helpful post. It appears that the 'over indulged sense of self worth' has been mis-assigned. He did not say anything about his worth and he presented good information including an observation that you are getting ahead of yourself (which is OK.) He even welcomed you and wished you luck. The reason you go directly to the source is to be able to distinguish good information (which most of us, including Marssim like to give) and bad, which despite our best efforts, still gets in. He didn't say anything about not posting here, he just offered a very good idea, to get some information from the people that really know.

The first thing I could recommend, is to let your skin get a little thicker very quickly... it will serve you well if you want to survive in this industry. Don't look for bad intent where it doesn't exist. Take advice even if it is given in a way you don't expect it. Most of the people here have some significant experience and are willing to share it but we all get a little more quiet when presented with an attitude. Marssim has been around a long time It would serve you well to listen to his advice. So has Marlin (I can vouch for that having worked with him over 30 years ago) and a lot of the others. Open your ears and eyes often and your mouth rarely and you will learn and gain a reputation that others will respect. Take shots at the people trying to help you and will will never survive.

Just friendly advice. Naturally, you will do and say as you please. Welcome, again, to Nukeworker.

[Touche]

SWS, things I wish I had known...

The NRRPT is not equal to a Bachelors, however, it can be equal to 30 semester hours of credit (the amount you receive would be up to each college) 6 of which are limited to the lower level; 24 to the upper level.

The American Council of Education (A.C.E.) initially recommended the above credits with one significant difference...if you already have a B.A./B.S. you could apply the 24 upper level credits to a masters degree (again if the college accepted them). Usually, you must "use" these credits within 7 years of becoming registered. The A.C.E. did not continue this recommendation after its first revision because they chose to focus on undergraduate level recommendations, not graduate level.

As to the NRRPT's value, it varies within the industry...IMO the civilian nuclear power industry really doesn't reward NRRPT registrants (both contractors and house); however they would like for all their house HP's to pass the test...conversely, the federal government considers it to be an indicator of being a "professional" HP for hiring purposes. Go figure...

From an educational standpoint, if you can get a bachelors while completing your 5 years to take the NRRPT and pass, you could then possibly use the 24 upper level hours for a masters; which would put you about 16 hours short of a Masters in Health Physics. I would check with each college to see if they would recognize the earlier A.C.E. recommendation...it would saves a lot of time and money towards a Masters.

I hope this helps

[sws]

 Everyone Thank you deeply for information, it will aide me in saving time and money to make the most of my career!


Marssim - Thank you for your welcome, best wishes, input and time to comment. I apologize for causing a stir and miss interpreting your response. Your right, I am better off with all the criticism I can get. I do have to disagree again with your believing this is unproductive, I learned more from this thread than I did looking at the nrrpt web sight. For most of the old guard has at one point or another thought "I wish I would have know or someone would have told me" thats why I felt it was important to ask from those people for guidance!

[thenukeman]

To me a NRRPT is more important than any bachelors for a Technician, Unless its in health physics or closely related.  Art, History, Biology, Chemistry, etc. mean Jack Squat to me if I am looking at a resume and see a NRRPT<  Just my opinion.  And Yes I have a Bachelors in History, And the George C. Marshall award for Military History,  If I seen that on somebodies resume I would stick it under a NRRPT.  I also Have a Bachelors in Biology,  But what Is a A in Microbiology or Genetics compared to A NRRPT?  to me Jack Squat, especially with field experience.  Did I just Dis Myself??  LOL  Okay I did go back to college and took Health Physics courses,  That I am proud of, since I do work in the field, And do not want to be the person saying  A NRRPT and college mean nothing.

[Deep'n the Swamps]

To me a NRRPT is more important than any bachelors for a Technician, Unless its in health physics or closely related.  Art, History, Biology, Chemistry, etc. mean Jack Squat to me if I am looking at a resume and see a NRRPT<  Just my opinion.  And Yes I have a Bachelors in History, And the George C. Marshall award for Military History,  If I seen that on somebodies resume I would stick it under a NRRPT.  I also Have a Bachelors in Biology,  But what Is a A in Microbiology or Genetics compared to A NRRPT?  to me Jack Squat, especially with field experience.  Did I just Dis Myself??  LOL  Okay I did go back to college and took Health Physics courses,  That I am proud of, since I do work in the field, And do not want to be the person saying  A NRRPT and college mean nothing.

Um....How do you feel about expository writing classes?     

[HydroDave63]

To me a NRRPT is more important than any bachelors for a Technician, Unless its in health physics or closely related.  Art, History, Biology, Chemistry, etc. mean Jack Squat to me if I am looking at a resume and see a NRRPT<  Just my opinion.  And Yes I have a Bachelors in History, And the George C. Marshall award for Military History,  If I seen that on somebodies resume I would stick it under a NRRPT.  I also Have a Bachelors in Biology,  But what Is a A in Microbiology or Genetics compared to A NRRPT?  to me Jack Squat, especially with field experience.  Did I just Dis Myself??  LOL  Okay I did go back to college and took Health Physics courses,  That I am proud of, since I do work in the field, And do not want to be the person saying  A NRRPT and college mean nothing.

http://redwing.hutman.net/~mreed/warriorshtm/bong.htm

[mostlyharmless]

Glad to see sws and Marssim made up. There are many on this site,Marssim and others on this thread that often have thoughtfull and usefull information and opinion, often earned at the expense of years and decades. These folks are bright.
As for me, I am on my twenty first year in the business,one as a deconer and twenty as an radiation protection tech. Many years ago, before I was eligible I applied to sit the nrrpt test. I was not eligible and was refused,twice. So, last year,my,twentieth,I began to feel like I was becoming one with the office chair and wanted to distinguish myself from said chair, and recalling my long ago promise to become registered, I reapplied ,was accepted,took and passed the test and there was much rejoicing. Where I work very few give a rats ass about my accomplishment.(I work at a doe site,srs,the flagship). I am none the less proud. I studied like a mad bastard for a few months and passed. I did it because I wanted to know if I still could think. I honestly worried about atrophy of my mind. Stuck on back shift with little professionally to think about,little to challenge me technically, and to young,46,to be put out to pasture I needed something to relieve the frustration. NRRPT worked. Almost a year later, now what?  Always learn,always grow or you will find yourself twenty years gone standing out in the field bitching about the sour grass with the rest of the herd. In short, self satisfaction was what I got,not to mention a more broad understanding of my craft. The rest is up to me. It always has been. MH

[HAIRDUDE]

Well ... Guess I'll weigh in on this one as well. I've been pretty much everything from the dude who mopped the floors to the HMFIC. 25 years + when you add it all up. I've seen just about everything/everyone that's out there and IMHO, good is good. A degree (Yup ... Got one ... WhoopDeeDoo) is something that tells people you accomplished something ... Lets them know you have a little "sticktoitiveness" ... Some gigs even require a sheepskin of some kind to even qualify to apply. But ... It's a chunk of paper when it comes right down to it. I've seen degreed techs who were awesome and degreed techs who couldn't pour piss out of a boot if the directions were on the heel. I've seen ex-deconners (Yup ... I'm one of those too) who were awesome techs and I've seen others with the same boot-related issues as the degreed folks. There are five things you really need to be a really good tech. Here they are:

1. Common Sense
2. Experience
3. Experience
4. Experience
5. Experience

Did I mention Experience?

Just my humble opinion. Find a seasoned GOOD Senior Tech, hook your index finger into one of the beltloops on his/her jeans and hang on for the ride of your friggen life!
And have fun for Christ's sake.

HAIRDUDE

[sws]

Its hard to gain experience when companies are all looking for seniors! I'm on with a very small company in (DOE) oak ridge its a start.
That was my intent the whole time was to try and better myself by the NRRPT. That was at least before I learned about the time restriction. Its been said before that I was a little over eager, but I just didn't want to be sitting idle.
Thanks for your input!

[Nuclear NASCAR]

Sounds to me like you've already got a good plan to get steps 2-5 of Hairdude's 5 step program.  Make sure you don't hurt your index finger following his last tip and you'll be surprised how quickly those 5 years go by.

Best of luck,
Tom

[thenukeman]

Deep N TheSwamps, I ain't no English Major!!! LOL    Just NRRPT, CHP 1 and 2 Bachelors degree ain't none in English.  Seriously Though I wish I paid more attention to My English classes instead of taking them because I had to. I think this has hurt me some.  Point being try hard in everything you do. I could have done better in English.

[Deep'n the Swamps]

I think potential employers view potential employees with a degree as trainable, nothing more.    

For me, it has meant employers hiring me for professional positions where I make 2-3 times the hourly rate of a contract Sr. RP.
For the benefit of the original poster: There is an educational glass ceiling in modern society and it isn't going to get any easier, it's only going to get more competitive. If a person wants to advance, or become competitive in the modern job market, they need to strive to obtain higher credentials. This is why the NRRPT is an excellent certification to have, but it doesn't take the place of formal education and doesn't pay near as much, if you have higher goals. Try getting into senior management without a degree: It's rare if not impossible. It also doesn't mean that person without a degree is less intelligent, talented, or capable.

The world is full of educated derelicts... and who hasn't worked with a PhD lacking in common sense? But, I simply cannot find any redeeming value in arguing against earning a degree. If the person starting this post has an opportunity, go for the degree if you are considering it. Once you have it, and then acquire the experience, you will be in a much better position to profit from your credentials for the remainder of your career.

Have a degree?  Great.  That means you have an attention span that I can manipulate to our mutual benefit.

I think fairly broad assumptions are being made.

[RDTroja]

I also have been in 'professional positions' making significantly more than contract technicians for a while now. The difference is, I don't have a degree and no one has ever required me to have one for the positions I have sought. I honestly don't even remember anyone ever asking if I had one (except someone that was considering me for middle management against my will.) Granted, I have studiously avoided supervisor positions (my choice, don't like the job) so lack of a degree has not been an obstacle in that respect. I have held the title of Radiological Engineer (whatever that really means) and a few others, including Radiation Safety Officer and still no degree. I am currently an Instructional Technologist (I train Instructors) without a degree.

If you want to be a PE or hold most Engineering positions, you will need a degree -- in Engineering. Management positions are normally the same, but the actual degree usually doesn't matter, which indicates that 'trainable' and 'good attention span' are real if not advertised qualities that employers seek for at least some positions.

It is true (and I have advocated often) that if you have the desire and ability to get a degree, it is a good idea to do so. Not having one will not preclude a very comfortable career with a wide variety of experiences. If you want to be Plant Manager or Site VP, get one. I personally wouldn't take those jobs if they begged me (they won't) but everyone has their own aspirations.