IACUC - Training and Occ Health

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• New PI Onboarding
• Animal User Training (Initial and Refresher)
• Occupational Health Enrollment
• Exceptions
• Other Training

The following information applies to ALL key personnel on a research protocol who will have direct contact with live, vertebrate animals including husbandry (including non-contact feeding, handling of dirty caging, accessories, animal waste, un-fixed tissues, or carcasses), handling, manipulating, performing procedures/surgeries and non-contact observations. The training and occupational health program requires completion and maintenance of Animal User Training and Occupational Health Animal Handler Program Enrollment, both of which must be completed prior to beginning work with vertebrate animals and being added to the Animal Study Protocol (ASP).

UMD IACUC Standard C.5 Animal Care and Use Training Requirements (PDF)

New PIs will attend a New PI Training and Orientation with a member of our team to learn more about the IACUC’s role in regulatory compliance and how it works. The PI will also learn how to use IRBnet, our protocol submission management system. Contact the IACUC Office to schedule these sessions.

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Oversight of animal care and use training is formalized in federal policy and the Guide and is developed and managed by the IACUC. All key personnel on a research protocol must take the Animal User Training Course with an IACUC administrator. 

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The Occupational Health Animal Handler Program is designed to protect the health of personnel and laboratory animals. The extent of the program is based on the individual’s health history and the risks associated with their animal activities. The required forms and documentation are submitted digitally and privately through the University Health Center’s (UHC) portal (UCH portal users must have a valin UMD email address to log in). 

1. Review the UHC's Notice of Privacy Practices
2. Complete the Animal Handler Risk Assessment Form
3. Upload Animal Handler Immunization and Allergy History documents
4. Some individuals may need to upload a Respirator Questionnaire as well

Instructions for completing Animal Handler enrollment (PDF)

Full Animal Handler Occupational Health Program Policy and Procedure Manual (PDF)

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The following instances do not require Animal User Training nor enrollment in the Occ Health Program:

• Undergraduate students participating in a class where animal-related activities will be overseen by a qualified faculty member or teaching assistant. The training program is recommended as an educational objective.
• Undergraduate or high school hourly workers who are not involved in research activities and will be overseen by qualified PI, faculty, staff or key personnel.
• Visiting personnel, scientists, and trainers visiting for less than 3 months are not required to take Animal User Training nor enroll in the Occ Health Program but:
  • They must provide documentation that they have received training elsewhere (such as a certificate or letter of acknowledgement, or a CV for PhDs with relevant training).
  • Those employed by outside organizations should be enrolled in their own organization’s occ health program (this may also apply for those staying beyond the 3 month period). 

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Additional training may be required depending on involvement, lab-specific objectives and facility access. Some may be able to be completed after being added to an ASP in some cases. Many of the options below are available as optional professional development opportunities. Click the menu items below to expand content.

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