Sample Questions and Answers NMTCB-RADSAFE –
NRC Dose Limits, Radioactive Material Handling &
ALARA Principles
Here are 120 sample questions and answers for the NMTCB Radiation Safety
certification exam, based on 2026 exam preparation materials. These questions
cover the core domains of the exam, including NRC regulations, dose limits,
radioactive material handling, ALARA principles, transportation regulations, and
quality control procedures .
Section 1: NRC Occupational Dose Limits (Questions 1-15)
1. According to NRC regulations, what is the annual occupational dose limit for
the whole body?
A. 10 mSv (1 rem)
B. 30 mSv (3 rem)
C. 50 mSv (5 rem)
D. 100 mSv (10 rem)
Answer: C. 50 mSv (5 rem)
Rationale: The NRC sets the annual occupational dose limit for the whole body at
50 mSv (5 rem). This is the total effective dose equivalent (TEDE) allowed for
radiation workers per year .
2. What is the NRC annual occupational dose limit for the lens of the eye?
A. 50 mSv (5 rem)
B. 100 mSv (10 rem)
C. 150 mSv (15 rem)
D. 500 mSv (50 rem)
,Answer: C. 150 mSv (15 rem)
Rationale: The lens of the eye has a specific annual limit of 150 mSv (15 rem) due
to its sensitivity to radiation-induced cataract formation .
3. According to NRC regulations, what is the annual occupational dose limit for
the skin or any extremity?
A. 150 mSv (15 rem)
B. 250 mSv (25 rem)
C. 500 mSv (50 rem)
D. 750 mSv (75 rem)
Answer: C. 500 mSv (50 rem)
Rationale: The skin and extremities have a higher annual limit of 500 mSv (50 rem)
because they are less radiosensitive than internal organs and can tolerate higher
doses .
4. What is the NRC annual dose limit for members of the general public in
unrestricted areas?
A. 0.5 mSv (0.05 rem)
B. 1 mSv (0.1 rem)
C. 2 mSv (0.2 rem)
D. 5 mSv (0.5 rem)
Answer: B. 1 mSv (0.1 rem)
Rationale: The general public may not receive more than 1 mSv (0.1 rem) per year
from licensed operations. This is a fraction of the occupational limit .
5. What is the monthly dose limit for a declared pregnant worker?
,A. 0.5 mSv (0.05 rem)
B. 1 mSv (0.1 rem)
C. 2 mSv (0.2 rem)
D. 5 mSv (0.5 rem)
Answer: A. 0.5 mSv (0.05 rem)
Rationale: Once a worker declares pregnancy in writing, the dose limit to the
embryo/fetus is 0.5 mSv (0.05 rem) per month, with a total limit of 5 mSv (0.5 rem)
for the entire gestation period .
6. According to NRC, an unrestricted area is one in which a person would
receive a radiation dose of less than:
A. 0.02 mSv/hr (2 mrem/hr)
B. 0.05 mSv/hr (5 mrem/hr)
C. 0.10 mSv/hr (10 mrem/hr)
D. 0.20 mSv/hr (20 mrem/hr)
Answer: A. 0.02 mSv/hr (2 mrem/hr)
Rationale: An unrestricted area must have dose rates below 0.02 mSv/hr (2
mrem/hr) to ensure that members of the public are not exposed to levels exceeding
regulatory limits .
7. What is the total gestational dose limit for a declared pregnant worker?
A. 1 mSv (0.1 rem)
B. 3 mSv (0.3 rem)
C. 5 mSv (0.5 rem)
D. 10 mSv (1 rem)
Answer: C. 5 mSv (0.5 rem)
Rationale: The cumulative dose to the embryo/fetus during the entire pregnancy
must not exceed 5 mSv (0.5 rem) .
, 8. How many rem are equivalent to 50 mSv?
A. 0.5 rem
B. 5 rem
C. 50 rem
D. 500 rem
Answer: B. 5 rem
Rationale: 1 Sv = 100 rem, therefore 1 mSv = 0.1 rem. 50 mSv × 0.1 = 5 rem .
9. Which of the following organs has the lowest occupational dose limit?
A. Skin
B. Extremities
C. Lens of the eye
D. Thyroid
Answer: C. Lens of the eye
Rationale: The lens of the eye has a limit of 150 mSv (15 rem), while skin and
extremities have limits of 500 mSv (50 rem). The thyroid, as an organ, falls under the
"other organs" category with a limit of 500 mSv .
10. What is the NRC occupational dose limit for an individual organ or tissue
(excluding the lens of the eye)?
A. 150 mSv (15 rem)
B. 300 mSv (30 rem)
C. 500 mSv (50 rem)
D. 750 mSv (75 rem)
Answer: C. 500 mSv (50 rem)