IACUC Training

In accordance with federal, state and institutional regulations and policies, all investigators and research personnel are required to complete the appropriate training courses before they are eligible to work with and have access to animals (see training requirements below). It is the investigator’s responsibility to ensure all individuals, listed on an Animal Use Protocol submitted for IACUC review and approval, are appropriately trained to conduct the procedures they will be performing in the study.


Neither IACUC approvals nor authorizations to animal areas will be granted until certification is completed.

The IACUC reviews training documentation before the initial approval of an IACUC protocol, at annual review, and when a revision is requested to add new personnel. Failure to fulfill the training requirement may delay the approval of a protocol or the approval of the individual to work with research animals. Documentation of this training can be uploaded as a pdf in the training section in the IACUC protocol, or verified by the Compliance Administrator at the time of the review of the study. When you complete all of the required modules successfully, you may print your completion report through the "Print" link on the learner’s menu. The PI on the study should keep a copy of the study researchers’ training for their records. Unsure if you have completed the training? Contact the IACUC Administrative Office to find out.

Step 1: Determine required training by group

GROUP

REQUIREMENT

Rice University employees and students working with laboratory, agricultural or wildlife animals
  1. Complete the required AALAS Learning Library Courses (see the AALAS How To Guide attached here)
  2. Access the AALAS Learning Library by clicking here.
  3. Laboratory Safety Training Requirements.
  4. Rice University ACO Occupational Health Program: complete this enrollment form (required for all personnel working with research related animal contact)

Visitors/non-Rice personnel who will be working under the direct supervision of a Rice University certified animal user (i.e. will never contact an animal without a Rice University certified animal user present) and have already completed mandated training at their own Institution.

Submit your AALAS or AAL (equivalent) training documents to the IACUC Administrative Office

Visitors/non-Rice personnel who will be working under the direct supervision of a Rice University certified animal user (i.e. will never contact an animal without a Rice University certified animal user present) and have NOT completed mandated training at their own Institution.

Contact the IACUC Administrative Office to find out which training modules are required and complete the required training modules at AALAS by clicking here, or complete at your own institution and submit your training documents to the IACUC Administrative Office.

Students who are part of a classroom project working with animals

Training will be covered as part of course curriculum.

Step 2: Complete required training

An image showing training required for vertebrate animals at Rice.

Additional Animal Training

Hands-on Training: Individuals may obtain hands-on training in animal handling, pre- and post-operative care, anesthesia usage, and other techniques. Email the Animal Resources Facility Assistant Operations Director for an appointment.

Have Questions?

For questions regarding IACUC training, please contact the IACUC Administrative Office in the Office of Research Integrity.