100+ Free ASNT IRRSP Practice Questions
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Key Facts: ASNT IRRSP Exam
100
Exam Questions
ASNT
3 hours
Time Limit
ASNT
70%
Passing Score
ASNT
Pearson VUE
Testing Partner
ASNT
10 CFR Part 34
Primary Regulation
NRC
6 months
Practical Exam Window
Employer-administered
The IRRSP exam is a 100-question, 3-hour multiple-choice CBT delivered through Pearson VUE, requiring a 70% score to pass. The exam aligns with 10 CFR Part 34 and tests radiation physics, ALARA shielding math, 10 CFR Part 20 dose limits, exposure-device operation, emergency response, and 49 CFR radioactive transport rules. A separate employer-administered practical (hands-on) exam, typically within 6 months of the written exam, is required before working independently as a radiographer.
Sample ASNT IRRSP Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your ASNT IRRSP exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Iridium-192 has a half-life of approximately 73.83 days. If a source measures 100 Ci today, what will its activity be after one half-life?
2Which isotope has the longest half-life among common industrial radiography sources?
3What is the predominant mode of radioactive decay for Iridium-192?
4Cobalt-60 emits two principal gamma photons. What are their approximate energies?
5Selenium-75 is typically chosen over Iridium-192 for radiography of which material range?
6Cesium-137 effectively emits a single gamma photon at what approximate energy?
7An Ir-192 source decays from 100 Ci through three half-lives. What is the remaining activity?
8What fundamental difference distinguishes X-rays from gamma rays of the same energy?
9In an X-ray tube, what primarily controls the maximum energy of the emitted X-ray spectrum?
10Which interaction dominates when low-energy photons (below about 100 keV) interact with high atomic number materials such as lead?
About the ASNT IRRSP Exam
The ASNT Industrial Radiography Radiation Safety Personnel (IRRSP) certification confirms that a radiographer has the radiation safety knowledge required to perform industrial radiography under 10 CFR Part 34 (and Agreement State equivalents). The 100-question, 3-hour computer-based exam at Pearson VUE covers radiation physics, dosimetry and biological effects, ALARA and shielding, exposure equipment (projector-type cameras and X-ray tubes), emergency response, NRC regulations, and DOT transport rules. A separate employer-administered practical (hands-on) exam, typically completed within 6 months of the written exam, is also required before working independently.
Assessment
100 multiple-choice questions in a single computer-based session; candidates choose RAM/Gamma, X-ray Technologies, or the Combination exam
Time Limit
3 hours
Passing Score
70%
Exam Fee
Tiered ASNT member/non-member fees (ASNT / Pearson VUE)
ASNT IRRSP Exam Content Outline
Radiation Physics
Radioactive decay, half-lives of Ir-192 (73.83 d), Co-60 (5.27 y), Se-75 (119.78 d), Cs-137 (30.07 y), X-ray production, gamma spectra, and photon interactions.
Dosimetry & Biological Effects
Unit conversions (rem/Sv/rad/Gy), somatic vs genetic effects, deterministic vs stochastic, and 10 CFR Part 20 occupational dose limits.
ALARA & Shielding
Time, distance, shielding; inverse-square calculations; HVL and TVL for lead, steel, and concrete; gamma-constant exposure rate calculations.
Equipment
Source projector exposure devices, IR-192 cameras (Sentinel/QSA Global), source change and retraction operations, collimators, X-ray tubes, and survey instruments.
Emergency Response
Source disconnect, stuck source, failed retraction, source recovery operations, contamination control, and NRC notification thresholds.
NRC Regulations
10 CFR Part 34 industrial radiography requirements: RSO duties, audit and maintenance program (AMP), required surveys, leak tests, recordkeeping, and personnel qualification.
DOT Regulations
49 CFR Type A vs Type B packaging, transport index, HRCQ, package marking and labeling, and hazmat training requirements.
How to Pass the ASNT IRRSP Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 70%
- Assessment: 100 multiple-choice questions in a single computer-based session; candidates choose RAM/Gamma, X-ray Technologies, or the Combination exam
- Time limit: 3 hours
- Exam fee: Tiered ASNT member/non-member fees
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
ASNT IRRSP Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the IRRSP exam and how much time do I have?
The IRRSP exam has 100 multiple-choice questions and a 3-hour time limit. The exam is delivered as a computer-based test at Pearson VUE test centers, and you can choose the Radioactive Materials (RAM/Gamma) exam, the X-ray Technologies exam, or the Combination exam covering both bodies of knowledge.
What is the IRRSP passing score?
The passing score is 70%. Because the IRRSP exam is intended to meet the radiation safety knowledge requirement in 10 CFR Part 34 and Agreement State equivalents, the cut score has historically been fixed rather than determined by curve.
Is the IRRSP written exam enough to work as a radiographer?
No. Passing the IRRSP written exam covers the radiation safety knowledge requirement under 10 CFR 34.43, but the regulations also require that the employer/licensee administer a practical (hands-on) examination demonstrating competence on the actual equipment used. Most licensees document this practical exam within 6 months of the IRRSP written exam.
What topics are on the IRRSP exam?
Major topics include radiation physics (decay, half-lives of Ir-192/Co-60/Se-75/Cs-137, gamma spectra, X-ray production), dosimetry and biological effects, ALARA and shielding (inverse-square, HVL, gamma constant), exposure device operation, emergency response, 10 CFR Part 34 and Part 20 regulations, and 49 CFR Type A/Type B transport requirements.
How do I schedule the IRRSP exam?
Apply through ASNT's certification portal, then schedule a Pearson VUE testing appointment after your application is approved. Bring photo ID; the exam is administered in English. Confirm current fees and scheduling steps on ASNT's IRRSP examination page.
How long is the IRRSP certification valid?
ASNT's IRRSP certification cycle is structured around recertification and renewal requirements published by ASNT. Practically, most radiographers retake or recertify approximately every 5 years, and licensees often require shorter intervals (commonly 5 years for ANSI N43.3-aligned written exams) for ongoing field work.
Can I take IRRSP if I have not worked under a license yet?
ASNT does not require prior radiography work experience to sit the exam, but most candidates are sponsored by an employer holding a radiography license and have completed initial radiation safety training meeting 10 CFR Part 34. The practical exam is administered by the employer after the written test.