CHEST RADIOGRAPHY

The NIOSH B Reader Study Syllabus

NIOSH strongly recommends pre-test preparation for examination participants to assure familiarity with the ILO Classification System and associated Roentgenographic Interpretation Form. Pre-test preparation is extremely important because anyone who fails the initial examination must wait ninety days before re-testing. The examination is difficult: only about half of the examinees pass.

The syllabus is available in these formats:

Download TIFF Version

Chest images are in TIFF format with instructions and answer keys. Microsoft Windows only.

1. Save the file B_Reader_Syllabus.zip (424 MB) to an appropriate folder (e.g. Downloads). This may take 15 minutes or more.
2. When the download is done, open the file "B_Reader_Syllabus.zip" from the file explorer or download manager. Extract all of the files to the default folder.
3. Open the file BReader.exe to run the syllabus program.
4. Keep the B_Reader_Syllabus folder for future use. The original zip file can be deleted.

Download DICOM Version

Includes the DICOM chest images, instructions, and answer keys. The NIOSH BViewer (DICOM Viewer and B Reader software) is available as a free download or you can also use a 3rd party DICOM viewer with these images.

1. Save the file NIOSH-Study-Syllabus-DICOM.zip (478 MB) to an appropriate folder (e.g. Downloads). This may take 15 minutes or more.
2. When the download is done, open the file "NIOSH-Study-Syllabus-DICOM.zip" from the file explorer or download manager. Extract all of the files to the default folder.
3. Open the DICOMDIR file in the NIOSH-Study-Syllabus-DICOM folder using a DICOM viewer.
4. Adobe Acrobat Reader is needed for the instructions, answer keys, and blank interpretation form. Open the file "SyllabusInstructions.pdf" to view the instructions.

Request CD

Chest images are in TIFF format with instructions and answer keys. Microsoft Windows only.
NIOSH Publication No. 2005-103c
To request a CD, call (888) 480-4042 or email CWHSP@cdc.gov.

Hard-Copy Off-Site

The hard-copy format consists of 33 pages of text, 80 x-ray films (some with 4 images per film), 51 reading sheets, and answer keys for the 51 sheets.  To borrow a copy there is a $500 deposit required and it is available on a first-come, first-served basis 1 month prior to testing. This deposit is returned once the syllabus has been returned to NIOSH. Call (888) 480-4042 or email CWHSP@cdc.gov.

Hard-Copy On-Site

The hard-copy format can be used at one of the NIOSH B Reader Study Sites .