Mike Lewandowski, the president-elect of the Health Physics Society (HPS), often shares a story that perfectly illustrates the real-world power of CHP certification, especially during regulatory inspections.
It’s a good one, too.
Here’s what happened.
At one of his facilities, a pre-licensing inspection took an unexpected turn when an inspector began questioning the qualifications of the site’s radiation safety officer (RSO). Despite the RSO’s experience in managing radiation safety and deep familiarity with the facility’s safety protocols, the inspector was skeptical and questioned the RSO’s competence and authority.
The more the RSO emphasized his credentials, the more confrontational the inspector became.
Then, a single document changed everything.
The RSO provided a report listing the credentials of his corporate team, which included several CHPs. The inspector’s reluctant stance dramatically shifted after she reviewed the team’s qualifications.
The inspector was no longer doubtful.
She became collaborative.
And what began as a tense exchange quickly evolved into a smooth, cooperative inspection.
“Having a team of CHPs instilled immediate trust in the eyes of the inspector,” says Lewandowski, who has been an HPS member since 1991. “Their expertise expedited the review process, and their presence alleviated concerns from this inspector.”
CHPs are also skilled at identifying potential issues before they arise, which helps to prevent delays and demonstrates a commitment to safety.
Regulators understand the level of competence provided by CHPs.
“That’s what certification can do for you, your team and your company. It sets a standard that speaks volumes without needing you to say much at all,” he says.
But becoming a CHP isn’t easy. It’s a rigorous and challenging path.
“And that’s the point,” Lewandowski says.
A Journey of Unexpected Paths: How Lewandowski Became a CHP
Like many health physicists, Lewandowski’s journey into the field was not planned.
Starting as a physics student who wanted to become an acoustic engineer, Lewandowski explored health physics after a fortuitous visit to Oak Ridge National Lab in Tennessee. “Many students go elsewhere for spring break,” he said. “I went there.”
It was worth it.
The exposure ignited an interest that would shape his career path.
Lewandowski first became a high school physics teacher and later pursued graduate studies in health physics at Purdue University, solidifying his transition into the field. Certification was not on his radar, but early in his career, he joined a team that saw CHP certification as the gold standard of expertise.
“This was the expected path. Certification was how you showed you are a professional,” Lewandowski says.
Inspired by his colleagues, Lewandowski pursued certification, a rigorous two-part exam testing foundational knowledge and real-world problem-solving in radiation protection. The second part requires passing the first and completing several years of hands-on experience.
CHP Certification: A Key to Career Advancement
For many professionals, CHP certification is not just a badge of honor—it’s a necessity for career progression. At 3M, where Lewandowski works, certification is often required for career advancement.
Certification is a critical benchmark that reflects a professional’s readiness to take on greater responsibilities.
“It’s necessary,” Lewandowski says. “It’s a big step in your career progression.”
He says certification also provides a foundation for continuous growth, pushing professionals to learn beyond their everyday roles. “It ensures that they are equipped to face the evolving challenges within health physics,” he says.
The Continuous Growth Mindset: Why Certification Matters
Beyond immediate career benefits, ABHP certification fosters a culture of continuous learning.
According to Lewandowski, the process of becoming certified—and maintaining certification—instills a growth mindset that’s essential in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape.
He says health physicists are required to earn continuing education credits, which helps them stay updated on developments in the field.
“Health physics is broad, and we tend to get siloed,” Lewandowski says. “But the value of being a CHP is that it forces you to learn outside your specific expertise. It prevents health physicists from becoming siloed in one area and encourages them to expand their knowledge.”
This mindset is especially important in a world where regulations constantly change and technology advances quickly, often sidelining scientific rigor. Lewandowski warns that, for example, AI and machine learning could encourage organizations to rely solely on automation for radiation safety. But certified professionals will always be needed.
“You still need CHPs,” he says, emphasizing that certification represents a level of expertise and judgment that technology alone cannot replace.
Leading HPS into the Future
As HPS’s president-elect, Lewandowski has a unique chance to shape the organization’s future.
In mid-2025, he will lead HPS in its mission to support health physicists and advance excellence in radiation safety.
He’s already gotten started.
In his current role, he actively meets with local HPS chapters to understand their needs and challenges and build connections that will inform his future leadership.
One of his primary goals is to foster collaboration and support across the organization. Drawing on his experience in various roles within HPS, including treasurer, board member and strategic planning advisor, Lewandowski aims to ensure a seamless transition in leadership while advancing HPS’s strategic vision.
His commitment to the organization is clear: “keep moving the organization forward” to meet the evolving needs of health physics professionals, he says. Professional development and continuing education, he adds, are one way to do that which directly supports certification.
For those on the fence about becoming a CHP, he references his story to drive the point home:
“Do you want to keep proving your qualifications over and over, or would you rather make an immediate case with proof of certification?” he asks.
“Exactly.”