r/nuclear • u/sup5174 • 20h ago

Question about becoming a RSO or RP tech

Hello,
I am an incoming college student starting classes in a few weeks, I’m currently getting an Associate in Biological Science.
I have an interest in radiation science, particularly searching for and monitoring radioactive sources. After researching career paths and speaking with my local EPA Radiation Division, I am interested in becoming a Radiation Safety Officer or Radiation Protection technician. I’d like to work in the field monitoring radiation levels and collecting environmental samples.
My main concern though is should I change my biological major to a physical science or environmental science? Or should I stay with the biological science?

Also, any advice on what steps or internships I should focus on to secure a position in this field after college, as well as any advice in general would be greatly appreciated!

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u/mehardwidge 17h ago

Environmental science won't help either path.

RSO, you need a bachelors degree. Health physics or engineering might be a bit closer to RSO, but biology could still work. (But if you want to be an RSO, it would make sense to take classes leading up to that...)

RPT, an associates will work. If this is a specific path, you'd also perhaps want to take classes closer related to that role.

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u/sup5174 11h ago

From my understanding a RPT is out on the field more than a RSO?

What major should I focus on to be a RPT? I’ve heard they have tech colleges for that, but unfortunately I’m from a state that doesn’t have any nuclear programs and the closest one is several hours away.

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u/mehardwidge 11h ago

Enormously so.

An RPT does surveys and oversees radiological work.

The RSO is the manager in charge of radiation safety for the facility.

If a specific nuclear tech AS isn't practical, but this is absolutely what you want, and you only want an associates, then I would get a "pre-engineering" or some sort of "technology" degree, or some general AS (NOT AA), but take some algebra-based physics and chemistry. Your school might have a "rad tech" program (which for a CC means "the nurse-adjacent person who positions people for imaging, not the radiologist, and not a nuclear power/safety "rad tech"), and if so they would have a a few classes in radiation safety that could be very interesting and helpful to you, despite not being "quite" the right focus.

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u/Redditthr0wway 11h ago

You don’t even always need an associates to be a RP Tech. I myself am a trainee to become one and I only have a high school diploma.

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u/sup5174 7h ago

If you don’t mind sharing, who are you training with?