Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) Training

Columbia University’s Department of Environmental Health Sciences offers a 40-hour course to meet the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Class C Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) coursework training requirements.  The curricula is designed for individuals working in academia, industry, and government laboratories seeking training in the safe handling of radioisotopes to meet local, state, or federal regulatory and/or training requirements. Participants who complete this course will fulfill the 40-hour requirement as stated in 10CFR33.15 - Requirements for the issuance of a Type C specific license of broad scope:

The NRC requires any organization that uses radioactive material to have a licensed, designated Radiation Safety Officer (RSO).  This course is designed to help such organizations apply for or renew their license for use of radioactive materials. The course is not intended to meet the licensing requirements for medical use of radionuclides or fluoroscopic imaging.

Course instructors, with faculty appointments at Columbia University and the Columbia University Medical Center, are experts in their fields.  They include faculty from the Center for Radiological Research, the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, the Department of Medicine and the Department of Environmental Health & Safety. Learn more about the course instructors.

Course Topics

• Radiation and radioisotopes
• The human health effects of ionizing radiation exposure
• Radiation dosimetry and instrumentation
• Radiation protection
• Safe handling and disposal of radioisotopes
• Inventory control
• Record keeping and regulatory requirements
• Transportation of radioactive materials
• Hazard and risk assessment, reduction, and communication
• Employee bioassay program
• Emergency management, personnel contamination, and response

• Develop RSO skill sets specific to University, Hospital, Medical, Health Department, Governmental or Biopharmaceutical lab environments
• Gain expertise in maintaining compliance with radionuclide permit and licensing requirements at local, state and national levels
• Create and maintain a safe laboratory working environment
• Assess potential radiation risks and relevant human health effects
• Develop work plan for employees to effectively reduce or eliminate risk
• Limit potential for radiological terrorism using laboratory materials
• Understand and apply Health Physics practice in a laboratory setting
• Learn management of radiological solid and liquid waste
• Understand regulatory requirements and expectations
• Gain hands-on experience with instrumentation
• Apply “tools of the trade” upon returning to your organization, with a comprehensive resource guide

• One of only three RSO trainings offered in a University setting rather than a for-profit corporation
• One of the very few RSO training courses offered in the Northeast
• Course faculty are internationally recognized for their expertise in radiological science, dosimetry, waste management and public health and together have many decades of teaching and research experience
• Faculty are always available for questions, additional information and personalized attention
• Many Columbia University Medical Center resources are available to students while in attendance, including the library, study halls and computer labs
• New York City provides students with numerous cultural and educational opportunities

The RSO Training is a hybrid training that will take place live, in-person while being simutaneously live-streamed for virtual attedees on  July 17-19 and July 24-26 at the Columbia University Irving Medical Campus in NYC. All training start and end times are in EDT. PDF versions of each instructor’s online presentation will be made available to all attendees.

More information on travel, lodging, and getting around NYC.

There are no requirements to attend the RSO training.

Norman J. Kleiman, PhD
Course Director
Associate Professor of Environmental Health Sciences
Director, Eye Radiation & Environmental Research Laboratory
Director, MS Degree Programs in Radiological Sciences and Toxicology
Department of Environmental Health Sciences
Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University

Sally Amundson, PhD
Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology
Columbia University Center for Radiological Research
Columbia University Medical Center

Stephen Balter, PhD
Professor of Clinical Radiology (physics) (in Medicine)
Medical Physicist
Columbia University Irving Medical Center

David J. Brenner, PhD
Higgins Professor of Radiation Biophysics
Professor of Environmental Health Sciences
Director, Columbia University Center for Radiological Research
Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Guy Garty, PhD 
Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology
Center for Radiological Research
Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Lauren Kelly, CHMM, CDGP
Project Manager-Safety & Regulatory Affairs
Environmental Health & Safety
Columbia University

Peter Caracappa, PhD, CHP
Chief Radiation Safety Officer
Columbia University

Angela Ran Meng, MS, CHP
Deputy Radiation Safety Officer
Environmental Health & Safety
Columbia University

Learn more about the course instructors.

"Dr. Kleiman is brilliant. The course was well laid out with subject matter experts that delivered fantastic lectures with excellent visual briefs." - Director at Carbon Asset Solutions, 2025

"The RSO course at Columbia not only gave me all the knowledge I needed for certification, but also let me connect with classmates from different fields and learn from professors with fascinating research backgrounds." - PharmD Candidate at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2025

"This RSO course exceeded my expectations and positioned me well for certification and supervisory responsibilities. I would recommend it to any professional preparing for compliance and leadership roles in diagnostic imaging or radiation therapy." - Manager of the Imaging Department at Episcopal Health Services, 2025

"This course was taught by a cohort of accomplished scientists and radiation safety experts from Columbia University. Their knowledge and expertise is unmatched by any other RSO training I have found." - Staff Member at Duke Health Integrated Practice, 2024

"A great refresher course in radiation physics and protection with real world examples and analysis of radioactive contamination, health threat, and mitigation." - Staff Member at Boston Scientific, 2024

"RSO Training Course at Columbia is one of a kind to equip trainees with radiation basics, latest equipment and regulations governing the field of radiation protection. It's well suited for all kinds of radiation workers and people of all nationalities. As an international applicant, it enabled me to qualify for NRC Type C Broad Scope License, strengthening my knowledge bank and career prospects." - Staff Member at Howard University, 2024

"Excellent training.  The Columbia RSO Course provides a thorough yet accessible introduction to a complex field, delivered by engaging, seasoned professionals and subject matter experts who present the course material in clear, plainspoken language.  Highly recommended." - Clinician at National Disaster Medical System, 2023

"As a radiation therapist, I did come in with a certain level of knowledge regarding radiation safety. However, this course expanded my understanding of public education on radiation and radiation incidents. I would highly recommend it!" - Staff member at Center Education Group, 2023

"Walked in with limited knowledge, walked away with a better understanding of the RSO duties and responsibilities. Radiation safety, handling of radioactive materials, test equipment usage, the effect exposure has on operators and individuals." - Staff member at ISG LLC, 2023

Registration Fee includes course material.

• Early-bird rate (through 5/15/26): $1,700
• Standard rate (5/16/25 - 7/11/26): $1,900

• $200 Early-bird Discount: This is automatically applied if you register before the May 15 early-bird deadline.  

• 10% Columbia Discount: This is valid for any active student, postdoc, staff, or faculty at Columbia University. If paying by credit card, use your Columbia email address during the registration process to automatically have the discount applied. If paying by internal transfer within Columbia, see below.  

• 10% Mailman Alumni Discount: This is valid for any individual who graduated from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. To access the Mailman Alumni discount and receive a registration code, please email sharp_program@cumc.columbia.edu your graduation year and degree.  

• Group discounts are available for organizations sending 5+ participants. Please contact us directly at sharp_program@cumc.columbia.edu for more information.  

If paying by internal transfer within Columbia, submit this Columbia Internal Transfer Request form (link to form coming soon) to receive further instructions. Please note: filling out this form is not the same as registering for a training and does not guarantee a training seat.

Invoice Payment and Group Registrations: If you would prefer to pay by invoice/check, or would like to pay for a group of registrants, please email Columbia.Workshops@gmail.com with the following details: 1) full attendee name(s), and 2) payment method (credit card, invoice, wire).

Cancellation notices must be received via email at least 30 days prior to the training start date in order to receive a full refund, minus a $75 administrative fee. Cancellation notices received via email 14-29 days prior to the training will receive a 75% refund, minus a $75 administrative fee. Please email your cancellation notice to Columbia.Workshops@gmail.com. Due to workshop capacity and preparation, we regret that we are unable to refund registration fees for cancellations after these dates.

If you are unable to attend the training, we encourage you to send a substitute. Please inform us of the substitute via email at least one week prior to the training so we can include them on attendee communications, gather registration details, and provide materials. Should the substitute fall within a different registration category (e.g., you are a faculty member and they are a postdoc), the credit card on file will be credited/charged respectively. Please email substitute inquiries to Columbia.Workshops@gmail.com. In the event Columbia must cancel the event, your registration fee will be fully refunded.