IACUC Training Requirements

photo of a school of fish All individuals involved with animal research must be appropriately trained for the tasks they are asked to perform, and the training should be species specific. The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) requires all personnel that conduct any biological research and/or teaching that involves handling, manipulating, or performing procedures on live vertebrate animals, whether in the laboratory or in the field to complete this training. Protocols will not be reviewed until all personnel listed on a protocol are current with their training.

Refresher training for both Principal Investigator (PI) and Animal Users is then required every 3 years.

The IACUC-required training is a three-fold process. The actions needed are not complicated and can be done on your own schedule. They involve:

Completing a brief online training tutorial for each of the species with which you will be working.
Completing the online UT-Austin 3198: Orientation.
Downloading and filling out a health questionnaire (or signing off on the declination statement) and sending it on to the Animal Resources Center.

Part 1. AALAS Learning Library (ALL) Web-based Training Modules

This online training program was developed by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to provide you with required information on the humane care and use of lab animals as mandated by federal regulations. The AALAS Learning Library (ALL) provides training that is essential for technicians, veterinarians, managers, IACUC members, and investigators working with animals in a research or education setting. Researchers submitting IACUC documents (e.g., new proposals, protocol amendments, annual renewals, personnel modifications, etc.) are required to complete this training at least once every three years.

All researchers must complete the basic "3198: Orientation" (formerly the ARC Orientation Class). This module provides an orientation of the policies and procedures for animal research at The University of Texas at Austin. The topics covered include:

Contact information and organizational structure of the ARC and other relevant University departments
University guidelines for humane animal care and use
IACUC functions and procedures
Animal-related risks
Reporting procedure for animal care and use concerns

In addition to the basic "3198: Orientation," species-specific training is required if available for the species in use. If your species is not listed, then you must take the "3199: Other Species Training Module (General Care and Use)."

To access these modules please follow the information provided below. You must have an EID and password to log into the system through UT Direct. Use the following link to sign in: https://jerry.orsc.utexas.edu/iacuc/

Sign in using your UTEID and Password
Navigate to the bottom right corner and click "AALAS Learning Library"
Go to "Libraries" Click "Animal Care and Use Courses"
Select the appropriate module and proceed by clicking the word "course" at the bottom.
You must complete the course and exam to receive credit.

If you have questions or concerns please contact the ARC Compliance and Training Manager at (512) 471-3909 or jencassaday@mail.utexas.edu.

Part 2: Enrollment in the Laboratory Animal Occupational Health Program (LAOHP):

To enroll, complete the risk assessment questionnaire "AN0020 LAOHP -General
(3 years) (Animal Contact Health/Assessment Surveillance Questionnaire)." Submit completed forms the main office of the Animal Resources Center (ARC) at MailCode A2500. LAOHP documents MUST NOT to be submitted to the Office of Research Support. The questionnaire can be submitted in a sealed envelope to ensure privacy, if the following information is written on the outside:"

First and last name,
UT EID,
Species working with,
Email address,
Name of the responsible PI,
Date, and
The notation "LAOHP"

Please verify that the Acknowledgment and Waiver Statement on page 7 is signed. Medical providers will evaluate the forms and determine what follow-up is required on a case-by-case basis.

The IACUC requires individuals to resubmit the risk assessment questionnaire "AN0020 LAOHP -General (3 years) (Animal Contact Health/Assessment Surveillance Questionnaire)" every three years. If particular risks, such as primate or bat exposure, are involved, individuals will need to submit an annual health assessment form "AN0023 LAOHP -High Risk (1 year) (Annual Update Form for High-Risk Species Exposure)."

How to check your training record

To check your own training record, please follow the information provided below. You must have an EID and password to log into the system through UT Direct. Use the following link to sign in: https://jerry.orsc.utexas.edu/iacuc/

In the lower left hand side of the main page, under the “Protocols” tab, click on the link to “Training Record.” This will open a window that will display your completed training courses and expiration dates.

If you have any questions regarding the accuracy of this record please contact the ARC Compliance and Training Manager at (512) 471-3909 or jencassaday@mail.utexas.edu.