Nuclear Pharmacist prepare and test radiopharmaceuticals for use with patients. A Nuclear Pharmacist must be licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission as an "authorized user" of radioactive material.

The training for this license is through classroom training and hands-on experience. Typical subjects in the course include: 45 hours in Radiation Safety, 20 hours in Radiation Biology, 20 hours in Radiation Mathematics, 85 hours in Instrumentation/Radiation Physics and 30 hours in Radiopharmaceuticals. The candidate must also log 500 hours of supervised experience in handling unsealed radioactive materials. This usually covers ordering, receiving and handling material, calibration of radiation detecting devices and the factors involved in preparing radioactive doses for patients. Some corporations pay for this training.

The nuclear pharmacist can practice in industry, commercial, hospital and small clinic nuclear pharmacies. Syncor and Mallinckrodt are large commercial nuclear pharmacies. The Ohio State University Medical Center has a nuclear pharmacy headed by Mr. George Hinkle, R.Ph.