ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Division Spotlight
Aerospace Nuclear Science & Technology
Organized to promote the advancement of knowledge in the use of nuclear science and technologies in the aerospace application. Specialized nuclear-based technologies and applications are needed to advance the state-of-the-art in aerospace design, engineering and operations to explore planetary bodies in our solar system and beyond, plus enhance the safety of air travel, especially high speed air travel. Areas of interest will include but are not limited to the creation of nuclear-based power and propulsion systems, multifunctional materials to protect humans and electronic components from atmospheric, space, and nuclear power system radiation, human factor strategies for the safety and reliable operation of nuclear power and propulsion plants by non-specialized personnel and more.
Meeting Spotlight
2027 ANS Winter Conference and Expo
October 31–November 4, 2027
Washington, DC|The Westin Washington, DC Downtown
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
Latest Magazine Issues
Nov 2024
Jul 2024
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
December 2024
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
November 2024
Latest News
Disney World should have gone nuclear
There is extra significance to the American Nuclear Society holding its annual meeting in Orlando, Florida, this past week. That’s because in 1967, the state of Florida passed a law allowing Disney World to build a nuclear power plant.
The American Nuclear Society is developing a certification credential to help establish industry standards and bridge workforce gaps in the nuclear industry to address the growing demand for qualified professionals in the field.
The initiative was launched with the appointment of the ANS President's Special Committee on Certification in 2022. Following a six-month market analysis conducted in 2023, the committee recommended to the ANS Board of Directors that the Society should take a two-pronged approach to address the identified immediate workforce gaps, which includes the development of a Certified Nuclear Professional (CNP) credential and the creation of a certificate course professional development program.
The CNP credential is scheduled to launch in the summer of 2025 and the initial certificate course offerings will debut in the fall of 2024, starting with the Nuclear 101 Certificate Course, which will be held November 18-22 in Orlando (the course is SOLD OUT!).
What are the objectives of developing a certification credential for the nuclear field?
The three primary objectives of the new credential are:
1.) To provide nuclear professionals a means for learning and/or demonstrating their knowledge of the fundamentals of nuclear science and technology to assist in their professional and career development.
2.) To offer employers in the nuclear industry a means for helping to qualify candidates by establishing a benchmark level of expertise and experience in the nuclear science and technology field.
3.) To enhance ANS’s stature within the nuclear science and technology field, especially among the commercial nuclear utility industry.
Who is the intended audience?
There are several target audiences for the CNP. First, working professionals lacking in-depth nuclear industry knowledge. Examples include professionals with a degree in something other than nuclear engineering; workers new to the nuclear industry; or executives that might not have a nuclear background, but want to become familiar with concepts and terminology. Second, professionals that have degrees in nuclear engineering. The certification may be viewed as an intermediate step between a four-year engineering degree and a Professional Engineer (PE) license.
How will the certification be earned?
Individuals seeking the CNP credential will need to meet a specific set of eligibility requirements and will then be required to pass a comprehensive exam. Upon achieving the credential, individuals will need to maintain the certification by obtaining the specified number of continuing education hours over a particular period of time.
What topics will the certification cover?
A job task analysis determined the following key knowledge areas that individuals must demonstrate competency (i.e., pass an exam) to obtain the credential:
When will individuals begin to sit for the exam?
Applications to sit for the CNP exam will be available in the summer of 2025.
What types of preparatory/study materials will be available?
Examinees will have access to the exam specification, which provides the content distribution of the exam. ANS will also offer a Nuclear Energy Essentials certificate course that provides a condensed introduction/review of fundamental concepts for interested candidates that come from a non-nuclear engineering educational background.
What topics will the certificate courses cover?
The ultimate goal is an extensive catalog of courses on a variety of topics. However, it will take several years to develop a large catalog. The first two courses that are being developed are Nuclear 101 and Licensing and Regulations. The Nuclear 101 course will cover topics that range from the history and legacy of nuclear power to advanced reactor technologies, encompassing areas such as radiation safety, nonpower applications of nuclear, and ethics in nuclear. The Licensing and Regulations course will cover various regulatory frameworks, licensing processes, and international considerations.
The Nuclear 101 course will debut as an in-person course during the 2024 ANS Winter Meeting and Expo, November 18-22 in Orlando. The course is sold out but an online version of the course will be offered beginning in 2025. The Licensing and Regulations course will be available online in the fall of 2024.
ANS plans to launch 1-3 additional courses per year.
Are there any eligibility or maintenance requirements associated with the courses?
There will be no eligibility requirements or continuing education maintenance requirements. Upon completion of the course and exam, individuals will receive a certificate.
What will be the duration of the courses?
Course duration will vary by topic, ranging from 8-40 hours.
How will courses be delivered?
The courses will primarily be available as on demand, self-paced content. Some courses, such as Nuclear 101, will be available in-person. The courses may include live or livestream content or experience opportunities.
Last modified November 6, 2024, 11:18am CST
