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ARRT Updates Passing Standard for Nuclear Medicine Technology Examination 

Published on Oct 19, 2026

ARRT has approved an updated passing standard for the Nuclear Medicine Technology examination. This update will apply to candidates who take the exam on or after Feb. 1, 2027. 

If you're planning to take the exam, be sure to use the content specifications that are in effect at the time of your exam.  The reported passing score will continue to be 75. 

WHY IS ARRT UPDATING THE PASSING STANDARD? 

The health care profession continues to evolve, and ARRT regularly reviews professional practice, technology, patient care, exam content, and entry-level expectations. 

These reviews help ensure ARRT exams continue to measure the knowledge and skills needed for safe, effective entry-level practice. Based on the results of this review, ARRT determined that the Nuclear Medicine Technology examination passing standard should be updated. 

WHAT IS A PASSING STANDARD? 

A passing standard is the level of performance candidates must demonstrate to pass an exam. On ARRT’s reporting scale, that standard is represented by a scaled score of 75. 

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR CANDIDATES? 

  • Candidates testing before Feb. 1, 2027, will be evaluated using the current passing standard. 
  • Candidates testing on or after Feb. 1, 2027, will be evaluated using the updated passing standard. 
  • The reported passing score will remain 75. 
  • Candidates should prepare using the content specifications that apply to their testing date. 

This update doesn’t require you to reschedule your exam appointment. If your exam date remains the same, simply prepare using the content specifications that apply to that date. 

The goal of this update is to keep the passing requirement aligned with current entry-level expectations. It’s not intended to make the exam easier or harder, nor is it designed to achieve a particular pass rate. 

WHICH EXAM CONTENT SPECIFICATIONS SHOULD I USE?  

Is the Passing Score Still 75? 

Yes. ARRT reports exam scores on a scale from 1 to 99, and candidates must earn a scaled score of 75 or higher to pass the Nuclear Medicine Technology examination. 

It's important to know that a scaled score of 75 does not mean answering 75% of the questions correctly. The number of correct answers needed to earn a scaled score of 75 can vary slightly because different exam forms may vary slightly in difficulty. 

Beginning Feb.1, 2027, a reported score of 75 will represent the updated passing standard. 

HOW IS THE PASSING STANDARD ESTABLISHED? 

ARRT follows a structured process based on widely accepted credentialing and testing practices: 

  • A practice analysis provides evidence about current entry-level professional practice. 
  • Examination content specifications define what the exam measures. 
  • A panel of subject matter experts reviews the exam content and recommends the level of performance required to pass. 
  • The ARRT Board of Trustees reviews the recommendation and supporting psychometric evidence before establishing the passing standard. 
  • ARRT's scoring procedures account for small differences in difficulty among exam forms to ensure candidates are evaluated consistently and fairly. 

This process helps ensure that exam content remains relevant, scores are interpreted consistently, certification decisions are fair, and ARRT continues to support patient safety.