CNP details: ANS created the CNP credential to support both individuals and organizations in the field by addressing a critical gap in industry accreditation.
“When we looked at the industry as a whole, there were a lot of different credentials that require a really high level of education and a long number of years of experience in order to be eligible to even sit for the exam,” said Rebecca Steinman, senior manager of corporate licensing at Constellation and chair of the ANS President’s Special Committee on Certification, which created the CNP program.
As she explained, the largest component of the nuclear workforce is made up of thousands of people who don’t have four-year STEM degrees. So the CNP exam serves as a national benchmark for that currently underserved part of the industry, creating a pathway for the majority of the workforce to demonstrate their knowledge and skill sets.
The CNP credential also shows employers that a candidate has been tested successfully on a standard set of criteria and has a guaranteed level of relevant knowledge. This benefit is especially important considering the rapid growth of the nuclear industry. With many newcomers transferring into the sector from other fields or entering as new graduates of educational programs, a standardized benchmark is now more important than ever.
The webinar: The “How to Become a Certified Nuclear Professional” webinar, on September 19 from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m, will be moderated by Steinman. It will feature Ryan Bechtel, a member of the ANS certification Subcommittee, and Joshua Vajda, subcommittee chair.
The webinar will walk attendees through the eligibility requirements, exam requirements, and application process and will include a Q&A. Click here to register for the webinar. After its conclusion, a recording of the talk will be available at the same link.
Eligibility requirements: The CNP credential is tailored to early- to mid-career professionals working across diverse areas in the sector, including nuclear operations, regulatory compliance, quality assurance, safety, and project management.
The following are eligibility criteria for the exam:
- A high school diploma or a GED equivalent as a minimum.
- Demonstration of nuclear education or work experience:
Two years of nuclear on-the-job work experience or
80 hours of continuing professional education that is offered by any professional entity if the education is directly related to the domains covered by the CNP exam or
Two years of nuclear education at an associate degree level or above.
Alternative options to fulfill the nuclear education requirement include the following:
A senior reactor operator license or reactor operator license.
Completion of the U.S. Navy’s Nuclear Power School (enlisted or officer).
Other forms of nuclear education or coursework will be considered on a case-by-case basis.