MANDATORY TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR ANIMAL USERS:

Formal training in the care and use of research animals is an integral component of the campus animal care and use program, and is not only good practice, but is required by federal regulations. 

U.S. Animal Welfare Act Regulations (AWAR) and Public Health Service (PHS) Policy require institutions to provide training for all personnel engaged in animal research. This includes Principal Investigators (PIs), technicians, laboratory personnel, research fellows, students, and visiting scientists. Even PIs who do not, themselves, work directly with animals are required to have general training in animal care and use because of their ultimate responsibility for the personnel listed on their animal use protocols.

The content of this general training is specified by federal regulations and policy and must include:

• Humane methods of animal maintenance and experimentation
• Research methods that limit the utilization of animals or minimize animal distress
• Proper use of anesthetics, analgesics and tranquilizers for any species of animal used by the facility
• Institutional procedures for reporting deficiencies in animal care and treatment
• Services that can be used to acquire information on appropriate methods of animal care and use, alternatives to the use of live animals in research, prevention of unnecessary duplication of research involving animals, and the intent and requirements of the U.S. Animal Welfare Act.

In order to meet this need, the ACUC has established the following policy on training requirements for animal users.

1) Prior to the start of any animal activity, all faculty, staff, students and research personnel who use live vertebrate animals in research or instruction must receive training in the five subjects bulleted above. These five subjects are included in the "Working with the IACUC " CITI on-line course and the Tier One Training seminar offered by OLAC.

2) It is the responsibility of the PI to ensure that all personnel listed on the PI’s animal use protocol receive the required training in animal care and use. This training, which must be documented in writing, may be obtained either by taking the "Working with the IACUC " CITI on-line course or by attending a Tier One Training seminar.

3) All PIs, staff, students and research personnel who use live vertebrate animals are required to update their training at least once every 5 years to assure that they remain current on laws, regulations, guidelines and policies. This may be accomplished either by completing the on-line CITI refresher course or by completing the on-line “Tier One Training 5-Year Refresher Course."

4) As part of the protocol review process, the ACUC may determine that additional training is required to ensure personnel are qualified to perform the procedures proposed.