Animal Care & Use Training

Requirements for Student Researchers, Staff & Faculty

The IACUC requires all personnel that conduct any 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 the required training and become certified to use animals.

Protocols, modification requests and annual renewals will not be approved until all personnel listed are certified.

Unsure which requirements or forms apply to you? Select a group below to review required forms and trainings.

Classes Working with Vertebrates

If working with vertebrates outside of the vivarium, you must complete the following:

CITI Training Follow our how-to guide on registering and completing the CITI course.

Medical Health and Risk Assessment Form Upload to your Student Health Portal.

Student Researchers

If working in the vivarium, student researchers must complete the following:

CITI Training Follow our how-to guide on registering and completing the CITI course.

Animal Occupational Health & Safety Program Read this guide in its entirety. 

Medical Health and Risk Assessment Form Upload to your Student Health Portal.

Risks Associated with the Handling and Use of Animals in Research and Learning Environments Read this notification in its entirety.

Faculty & Staff Researchers

If working in the vivarium, faculty and staff researchers must complete the following:

CITI Training Follow our how-to guide on registering and completing the CITI course.

Animal Occupational Health & Safety Program Read this guide in its entirety. 

Medical Health and Risk Assessment Form

Authorization for Treatment Form

Miscellaneous Faculty & Staff

If faculty or staff not working with vertebrates as a core function (ex. members of Physical Plant, Biology Staff, EH&S, Janitorial, Security, IACUC, Visitors & Volunteers), please complete the following:

Risks Associated with the Handling and Use of Animals in Research and Learning Environments Read this notification in its entirety.

Register for CITI Training CITI Training: How to Register Research Training Information

Additional Required Training

In addition to hands-on training that may be required by the IACUC to ensure personnel are proficient in all procedures listed on the protocol application, the following additional courses may be required:

  • Species-specific modules (mouse, rat, zebrafish, amphibian, etc...): required for all animal users
  • Aseptic Surgery: required if performing survival or non-survival surgery in any animal specie
  • Antibody Production: required if performing antibody production in any animal specie
  • Blood Collection: required if collecting blood from any animal specie
  • Reducing Pain and Distress in Laboratory Mice and Rats: required if performing procedures which could cause pain and/or distress in rodents
  • Wildlife Research: required if working with wild animals

Training of research personnel by the PI must be documented and records must be available upon request.