91´ÎÔª

Animal and Wildlife Research Training Requirements

Number: IACUC-POL-029  

Responsible Office: Office of Research and Creative Scholarship (ORCS) 

Applies to: Principal Investigators Conducting Animal Research 

1. Purpose 

Federal law requires that the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) make recommendations to the Institutional Official (IO) for development and administration of animal care and use training programs for all personnel involved in the use of animals in teaching or research. It is the policy of the 91´ÎÔª IACUC to provide and document a comprehensive training program for all animal users.  Federal regulations require Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) to make recommendations for the training of personnel involved in animal care and use (PHS Policy IV.C.1.f, USDA Animal Welfare Act Regulations §2.31). UM's IACUC is committed to ensuring all animal users are properly trained and compliant with institutional, AAALAC, OLAW, and USDA standards. 

2. Procedure 

Requirements for All Animal Users: 

• CITI Training:  
  • Laboratory and Field Research Station Animal Researchers: 
    • Complete Courses via every 3 years.
      • "Working with the IACUC” course  
      • Species-appropriate courses  
      • Procedure-specific courses  
  • Wildlife/Field Researchers: 
    • Complete Courses via every 3 years.
      • "Working with the IACUC” course  
      • “Wildlife Research” course 
      • Species-appropriate courses 
      • Procedure-specific courses, if applicable 
  • Observational Researchers: 
    • Complete Courses via every 3 years.
      • "Working with the IACUC” course  
      • “Wildlife Research” course 

• Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Requirements for all Researchers:  
  • Submit Risk Assessment Form every 3 years  
  • Submit Annual Medical Review, in years one and two after the completion of a risk assessment, or if a change in health status occurs.  

Risk assessment and annual medical review forms can be found on the OHS website.  

If Recommended or Required: 

• If recommended by OHS Team: 
  • Vaccine Acceptance/Declination Form (found on the OHS website): If prophylactic vaccines are available and recommended by the OHS team, an acceptance/declination form must be completed for each recommended vaccine.  
  • Respiratory Protection: If required or recommended by OHS Team, respiratory protection and fit testing will be completed by the Environmental Health and Safety Team.  
• Additional training if required or requested:  
  • Specialized Training: Hands-on training based on protocol-specific procedures, or if at the request of the PI or Attending Veterinarian.  
• Annual Didactic Training (required): In person annual training offered during the spring semester for all users with access to any of the main campus facilities. Training covers updates, reminders and changes to the facility.  

Documentation: All training records (excluding walk-through training) will be maintained by the PI and attached in the electronic protocol at the time of submission. The IACUC Manager will ensure training is current and complete.  

3. Non-compliance with Training and OHS Policy  

Griz card access to laboratory animal facilities will be denied or revoked if training is not completed or updated as required. 

• Annual Didactic Training: 
  • If annual didactic training for laboratory animal users is not completed within six months of the due date, the IACUC Chair will notify the individual, their Principal Investigator (PI), and the Department Head. The non-compliant individual will be required to either attend one of the next regularly scheduled semester training sessions or view a recorded didactic training session and complete a corresponding quiz. 
  • If training remains incomplete after this opportunity, the issue will be placed on the agenda for the next scheduled IACUC meeting. The PI and the individual (if applicable) will be asked to attend, and the IACUC will consider suspension of the individual’s animal facility access and/or the associated Animal Use Protocol (AUP). 

• Online Training: 
  • If required online training is not completed by the deadline, the IACUC Manager will notify the non-compliant individual, their Principal Investigator (PI), and the Department Head. The individual will be given 30 days to complete the required training. If the training is still not completed after the 30-day period, the matter will be brought to the next scheduled IACUC meeting. The PI and the individual (if applicable) will be asked to attend, and the IACUC will consider suspension of the associated Animal Use Protocol (AUP). 

• Risk Assessment, Annual Medical Review, Fit Testing or Vaccine Forms: 
  • If any required components—such as the risk assessment, annual medical review, fit testing, or vaccine acceptance/declination forms—are not completed or updated as required, the IACUC Chair will notify the non-compliant individual, their Principal Investigator (PI), and the Department Head. The individual will have 30 days to complete the outstanding requirements. If compliance is not achieved within this timeframe, the matter will be brought to the next scheduled IACUC meeting. The PI and the individual (if applicable) will be asked to attend, and the IACUC will consider suspension of the associated Animal Use Protocol (AUP). 

4. Requirements 

Facility Access: Griz Card access will be denied or revoked for non-compliant individuals.  

Escalation: If didactic or online training is not completed: 

• The PI, Department Head, and user will be notified. 
• If unresolved within 6 months (for didactic) or 30 days (for online), the case will be reviewed by the IACUC and may result in protocol or personnel suspension. 

5. Oversight and Review 

• All training records and compliance monitoring will be overseen by the IACUC Manager and Attending Veterinarian (AV) as appropriate. 
• Training policies will be reviewed regularly and updated to reflect current regulations and institutional needs. 

IACUC Manager: Will ensure all CITI trainings are valid and complete and that certificates are attached/documented in Cayuse. Records for walk-through training, Griz Card access and specialized training will be kept in the individual's Admin profile in Cayuse.  

Attending Veterinarian or Designee: Conducts specialized or field training. 

Principal Investigators: Ensure all personnel have completed required trainings, maintain up-to-date records of personnel trainings and comply with policy. 

6. References 

1. Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS Policy), PHS Policy IV.C.1.f 
2. USDA Animal Welfare Act and Regulations (AWAR), 9 CFR §2.32  
3. Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (National Academies Press) 
4. AAALAC International Accreditation Standards 

7. Review, Approval and Version History 

Review and approval version history for this policy

Version	Date	Description of Changes	Approved By
1.0	September 7, 2005	Initial policy creation	IACUC
2.0	September 13, 2027	Review	Heivilin
3.0	April 17, 2025	Review and rewrite	Hicks