Current Training Pathways for Nuclear Medicine in United States
| Pathway | NRC-authorized user* | ABNM eligibility | ABR eligibility | Duration of nuclear medicine training | Duration of radiology training | Duration of other medical specialty training |
| Traditional nuclear medicine pathway | Yes | Yes | No | 2 y 8 mo | 4 mo | |
| Research nuclear medicine pathway | Yes | Yes | No | 20 mo (+1 y of research) | 4 mo | |
| Traditional radiology pathway | Yes | No | Yes | 4 mo | 3 y 8 mo | |
| Nuclear radiology â16-moâ pathway | Yes | Yes | Yes | 16 mo | 2 y 8 mo | |
| New combined radiology/nuclear medicine pathway | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2 y | 3 y | |
| Radiation oncology | Yes | No | No | 4 mo | 3 y | |
| Other medical specialties | Yes | Yes | No | 2 y | 3â4 y |
âµ* Can practice diagnostic or therapeutic nuclear medicine.
ABNM = American Board of Nuclear Medicine; ABR = American Board of Radiology; NRC = Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
All programs require 1 y of internship that must be completed before residency program commences.