Getting Started: Training
Following federal, state, and institutional regulations and policies, all investigators and research personnel must complete the appropriate training courses before any work can begin and have access to animals. The Investigator is responsible for appropriately training all individuals listed on their IACUC protocol. IACUC protocols and administrative approvals will be granted once all required training is completed. An average score of 80% is needed to pass all CITI courses.
Pre-Training
Training Information
Getting Started with Training Checklist
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More specialized training could be required before working in a laboratory. Please refer to the Research Education and Learning Matrix for information regarding additional training related to your research activities.
Required Training for Animal Users
- CITI Working with the IACUC (Required for all researchers working with animals) the course must be taken every
three years. CITI enrollees will receive reminder emails before the course expiration
date at 90, 60, and 30 days. Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) webpage.
- CITI Working with (species-specific) in Research Settings (this course varies depending on the species you will work with but is required). The course must be taken every three (3) years. CITI enrollees will receive reminder emails before the course expiration date at 90, 60, and 30 days.
Step-by-step guidance on CITI registration and adding courses. *Note: If you have existing CITI training from another institution, you may link the existing training to the University of South Alabama.
Training must be linked to your IRBNet profile. For additional guidance with linking your CITI training, please refer to our IRBNet Basics guide, How to link training in IRBNet.
- Occupational Health Program (Enrollment) is required for research faculty and staff that have direct contact with live vertebrate animals, bodily fluids and tissues, wastes, or contaminated living quarters. To enroll in the OHP, please visit the Occupational Health Care (OHP) page. (*If you are not sure about OHP enrollment, please reach out to the IACUC Administrator before enrolling).
Occupational Health Program Enrollment is required for BSL-3 employees working with animals infected with BSL-3 agents) and DCM employees whose work involves the use of animals.
Additional Training
Those handling animals and/or select agents may require more specialized training. Please speak with your supervisor for more information.
- Respiratory Protection Program for Investigators, Staff, and Students is required for those working in a BSL-3 research facility when infectious agents are used. All individuals wearing respiratory protection rated at N-95 or greater (half-life piece) or powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR), must be fitted and approved by the Department of Safety Environmental Compliance. Respiratory Protection training is required annually. To schedule training and fitting for respirator use, please get in touch with Lisa Cobb by email or phone at (251) 460-6677.
*Note: If your work involves using biohazards, recombinant, or synthetic DNA/RNA, please refer to our Biosafety webpage for specific training details.
Non-USA personnel working under the direct supervision of certified animal users and have not completed mandatory training at their Institutions are required to complete the following:
- CITI Working with the IACUC (Required for all researchers working with animals). The course must be taken every
three (3) years.
- CITI Working with (species-specific) in Research Settings (this course varies depending on the species you will work with but is required). The course must be renewed every three (3) years.
Training is only required if the student is directly involved with handling animals and is listed on the protocol. Otherwise, training is covered as part of the course curriculum.
A FOB access form is required if a researcher needs access to the animal facility. Access to the animal facility is granted once ALL required training is completed. You can download the FOB form . Please email the form to Danielle Miller.