About 40.
That’s the number of Certified Health Physicists (CHPs) currently practicing in all of Canada.
Four. Zero.
“That’s it,” says Christopher Malcolmson, CHP, MSc, RRPT, CRPA(R). He’s the Interim Health Physics Director at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.
He’s one of the 40.
Considering Canada’s population of nearly 40 million, its well-established nuclear sector and its leading research institutions, the low figure underscores a gap between the country’s scientific potential and its realized capacity.
By comparison, its southern neighbor reported about 1,300 CHPs in 2020, according to Health Physics Society (HPS) and the American Board of Health Physics (ABHP). The U.S. population is approximately 331 million.
Do the math.
“Our ratio is not theirs,” Malcolmson says.
But the Canadian CHP deficit isn’t just about the numbers. According to Malcolmson, it stems from structural hurdles that make it tougher to earn certification north of the border.
Malcolmson wants to change that. He lays out a few ideas below—and makes the case for why both industry and educators must move quickly.
Three Barriers Holding Canada Back
Malcolmson cites three leading reasons for Canada’s lack of CHPs. They all go beyond population size and get to the heart of how the profession is structured in Canada.
Each factor adds friction, making the certification path steeper than it needs to be.
And when those barriers stack up, they discourage otherwise qualified professionals from pursuing certification.
Here’s his list:
- Fewer nuclear facilities: Canada operates just 17 nuclear power reactors, compared to nearly 100 in the U.S. With fewer reactors, the number of universities and major employers requiring those three certification letters declines, narrowing the demand pipeline.
- Regulatory mismatch: Each country has different regulations governing its radiation safety programs. Yet the CHP exam is written for U.S. law and standards. “For Canadians, it means extra hurdles, studying rules we’ll never apply and then relearning our own regulations afterward.” That’s enough of a hurdle to discourage candidates from pursuing certification.
- Employer ambiguity: In both the U.S. and Canada, job postings often list CHP as “preferred” rather than “required.” This sends a mixed signal: While certification is greatly valued, it’s not seen as essential. “There seems to be a catch-22,” Malcolmson says. “If jobs don’t require it, people won’t pursue it. But if people don’t pursue it, employers are less likely to require it.”
What Employers Can Do
At McMaster University, Malcolmson and his colleagues are working to tackle these challenges.
The lack of nuclear facilities is beyond their control.
The other two can work with them.
For the required vs. non-required roadblock, Malcolmson has a suggestion: Hire promising graduates before they’re eligible for certification. But once they reach the experience threshold, make the same employees contractually obligated to pursue being a CHP.
“It’s not a requirement for hiring,” Malcolmson says. “It’s a requirement for staying. That way, recent graduates can get their careers started. But they also know they’ll need to step up when certification time comes.”
It’s worked for him so far. He’s open to other suggestions.
“It’s a good start, but there’s still more work to do to get more Canadians certified,” he said.
What Industry Can Do
As for the regulatory hiccup, he says there’s an obvious answer: Adapt the CHP exam for Canadian professionals.
The idea isn’t new. More than a decade ago, the National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists (NRRPT) created a Canadian exam variant.
“One of the main components was to look at the regulatory-based questions in the exam bank and change them to reflect current Canadian regulations,” Malcolmson says. “Everything else stayed the same.”
The result was a test that maintained rigor but also reflected the reality of Canadian practice. Employers respected it. Candidates trusted it. The profession grew stronger.
“If it worked for NRRPT, it could work for CHP. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. We just need to adapt it,” Malcolmson says. “Again, it’s another idea. But we’ll need more.”
What Universities Can Do
That help, he adds, could come from academia.
Even with a more accessible exam and employers hiring with greater flexibility, Canada’s CHP numbers won’t grow unless universities help fill the talent pipeline.
He’s already doing his part.
At McMaster, Malcolmson teaches a graduate course in operational health physics. The class is not billed as an exam prep course, but it develops many of the competencies that align with the CHP exam. Students are introduced to the level of rigor and problem-solving they’ll face later in their careers.
“That’s where it starts,” he says. “If we can expose students early to the idea of certification, they’ll see it as part of their professional journey, not an afterthought.”
He also highlights partnerships with institutions like the University of Alabama at Birmingham as further examples of how colleges and universities can drive this pipeline. Cross-border collaborations, guest lectures and mentorship give students exposure to the benefits of certification before they graduate.
One more thing: Malcolmson says that more collaboration within Canada, especially with the Canadian Radiation Protection Association (CRPA), could help overcome key barriers. Partnering on training and professional development, he adds, would make certification more accessible and relevant.
The Value of CHP Certification in Canada
Despite the hurdles, Malcolmson is adamant about the value of CHP certification.
He describes it as the pinnacle of the profession, a credential that signals expertise, credibility and commitment.
The benefits, outlined in his presentation at a recent World Nuclear Association–ICRP Workshop, include:
- Professional credibility: CHP status verifies expertise and reassures employers, regulators and the public.
- Career advancement: Many senior roles in academia, government and industry either require or strongly prefer the credentials.
- Higher earning potential: Salary surveys consistently show CHPs earn more than their peers. They’re also promoted faster—and more often. “It’s not a guarantee, but it certainly tilts the odds in your favor,” he says.
- Ongoing competency: Recertification every four years ensures lifelong learning and adaptation to evolving standards. “You’re repeatedly proving you’re among the best in the industry,” he says.
But for Malcolmson, the most crucial benefit is intangible: pride.
“The sense of accomplishment you feel is incredible,” Malcolmson says. “Once you get over that hurdle and get that certification, you’ve made it.”
Why Canada’s CHP Shortage Matters
The shortage of CHPs in Canada isn’t just an academic problem.
It has real-world implications.
“Radiation doesn’t care about borders,” Malcolmson says. “An alpha particle in Canada is the same as anywhere else. What’s different are the rules we work under and the challenges to get certificated.”
Radiation protection is the backbone of nuclear safety, medical imaging and several other industrial applications. CHPs play a vital role in ensuring compliance, advancing best practices and maintaining public confidence in fields that operate under intense scrutiny.
When the number of CHPs falls short—even in one country—everyone feels the impact. Employers struggle to fill essential roles. Professionals lose pathways for recognition and advancement. And the public loses an important layer of safety assurance.
“This isn’t just about individuals earning a credential,” Malcolmson says. “It’s about strengthening and elevating the profession. With more Canadians certified, our workforce would be stronger, our credibility greater and our safety culture more resilient worldwide.”
Do you have ideas on how the AAHP can help grow CHP certification in Canada, the U.S. or around the world? Share your thoughts here. We’d love to hear from you.