AU Training FAQs

AU status allows you to:

• Independently prescribe and supervise radiopharmaceutical therapies.
• Be listed on your institution's radioactive materials license.
• Expand your practice by offering radiopharmaceutical treatment services.
• Meet regulatory requirements for administering therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals

Parenteral administration refers to delivering a radiopharmaceutical by injection or infusion rather than by an oral route.

Not necessarily. Eligibility depends on your training pathway, board certification, prior experience, and the specific medical uses you intend to perform. Many practicing radiation oncologists will need additional structured education and supervised clinical cases to satisfy AU requirements.

No. AU status for brachytherapy does not automatically qualify a physician to administer radiopharmaceutical therapies by injection or infusion. These are separate medical uses with different NRC training and experience requirements.

Radiation oncologists who are authorized for brachytherapy may need additional education and supervised clinical experience to obtain AU status for parenteral administration of radiopharmaceuticals under 10 CFR 35.390. ASTRO's AU Training Program is designed to help physicians meet these requirements.

Yes. Most Agreement States have requirements similar to NRC regulations. However, physicians should confirm specific requirements with their state's regulatory authority.

No. Completion of the program alone does not grant AU status.

Physicians must still satisfy all applicable NRC or Agreement State requirements, complete the required supervised training and experience, and obtain the appropriate documentation needed for AU applications.

Yes. Through ASTRO's AU Training Program, participants can complete the supervised case experience required under the NRC training and experience pathway.

ASTRO's program is designed to align with NRC training and experience requirements. However, AU approval decisions are made by the NRC or the appropriate Agreement State regulatory agency.

ASTRO can help prospective participants understand how their previous training may fit into the overall requirements and identify any remaining gaps that may need to be completed.

Eligibility requirements may vary. Interested residents and fellows should review current program requirements or contact ASTRO for additional information.

ASTRO offers resources to help physicians compare their current qualifications against applicable regulatory requirements and identify the next steps toward obtaining AU status.

ASTRO's AU Training Program is designed to help radiation oncologists understand and meet the NRC training and experience requirements for Authorized User status for the parenteral administration of radiopharmaceutical therapies.

The on-site portion of the program will be no more than 1.5 days. The duration depends on patient volume and scheduling at the training site.

Yes. Participants may download completion records for the didactic portion and will receive a completed preceptor form (NRC or state-specific) for the supervised cases.

Visit ASTRO's AU Training Program webpage or contact ASTRO staff for information about eligibility, Training Center availability, program timelines and enrollment opportunities.