Why Is There a Certification Program at UCLA?
All animal research at UCLA must be conducted in accordance with the federal regulations as set forth in the Animal Welfare Act and Regulations, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, PHS Policy for the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, as well as UCLA's policies and procedures as set forth by the Animal Research Committee (ARC).
One primary mandate central to all regulations and policies is that the institution is responsible for providing training to the investigators, animal technicians, and other personnel directly involved with animal care and use at UCLA, and that the ARC is responsible for providing oversight and for evaluating the effectiveness of the training program. Training should include, but is not limited to, the following topics: (1) humane practice of animal maintenance and experimentation; and (2) research or testing methods that minimize or eliminate the use of animals or limit pain or distress.
The ARC created the Certification Program to support the needs of thousands of active animal users at UCLA and with the idea, bearing in mind that training is a cooperative effort between many members of the research community. The primary responsibility for training resides with the Principal Investigator (PI) or faculty sponsor, as the case may be. In addition, the ARC and the Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DLAM) supplement such training with the ARC Certification Program as described here. Other departments, such as Biological Safety and Radiation Safety, have their own training programs. Together, through the combined efforts of all involved parties, both the spirit and letter of the law mandating training for animal users can be fulfilled at UCLA.
What Does the Certification Program Involve?
The ARC requires that all PIs, as well as all personnel having direct contact with live vertebrate animals, obtain ARC certification prior to initiating hands-on research activities with laboratory animals. For detailed information on who must be certified as trained or to inquire about the certification status of personnel, contact the ARC administrative office at (310) 206-6308 or arc@research.ucla.edu.
There are two primary elements of UCLA's Certification Program: general certification and species-specific training. Participants are required to complete both components in order to be certified to work with animals. Additionally, personnel who will be involved with survival surgery procedures on mammals or birds must participate in aseptic surgical techniques training (see section on Aseptic Surgical Techniques Training).
Trainings can be completed in any order; however, ALL applicable training requirements must be met before any animal user will be approved to work with animals. In addition, animal users must have a current Medical History Questionnaire on file prior to participating in hands-on species-specific or aseptic surgery training.
General Certification (CITI Program Training)
UCLA uses the nationally recognized Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) program to train animal users on regulatory guidelines and individual responsibilities. UCLA uses CITI because the content is extensively reviewed, critiqued, and updated; the program meets federal requirements; and certification is transferable to and from other institutions. The CITI program also provides personnel the option to complete additional education modules relevant to their research programs and disciplines.
All personnel listed on an ARC protocol (including all PIs and Faculty Sponsors, even if they will not have direct animal contact) must complete the online CITI "Animal Research" training course to fulfill the ARC General Certification Test requirement prior to approval to work with animals, and refresher training every three years.
The ARC will not issue approval for any application unless all personnel listed on the protocol have completed the CITI Animal Research course within the past three years. Any personnel being added to an existing protocol via an amendment application must have completed the same CITI course within the past three years as well.
Visit the CITI website to access the Animal Research training module. Refer to the CITI Training Frequently Asked Questions for additional information on the CITI certification requirements and how to register or complete the training.
Species-Specific Training
Certification to work with a particular species of animal will be granted upon completion of the following:
- CITI Species-Specific Training course
- Hands-on Training (see a and c below)
Species-specific training is required for each species a trainee will be handling and is accomplished by completing the relevant CITI training module then participating in a hands-on training session, either conducted by trained research laboratory personnel (see a and c below) or the DLAM training team.
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- Mice and Rats
Individuals who will be working with mice and/or rats must complete handling and techniques training prior to initiating research activities. This training may be conducted by qualified laboratory personnel or by the DLAM training team. Training should cover topics such as safe handling and restraint, recognition of pain and distress, and proper euthanasia techniques. DLAM will offer regular workshops for individuals to complete this requirement. Visit the Worksafe website or email the DLAM Training Inbox (dlamtraining@mednet.ucla.edu) for more information.The online CITI module should be completed before an individual participates in hands-on training. Both online and in-person training must be completed prior to being certified for that species.
Documentation of training performed by laboratory personnel must be emailed to arc@research.ucla.edu to finalize certification as a mouse or rat user. Training forms are available here.
NOTE: To access these files as a UCLA Health employee with a mednet account, you will need to select the "Not a part of University of California, Los Angeles" option when signing into Box.
Individuals who complete hands-on training through DLAM will have their training documentation uploaded to Worksafe.
- Mammals other than mice or rats
Personnel requiring training for mammals other than mice and rats must complete the relevant species-specific online course through CITI, then email the DLAM Training Inbox (dlamtraining@mednet.ucla.edu) to schedule in-person training. - Exceptions
Species-specific training through DLAM is not required for fish, reptiles, birds, bats, and amphibians OTHER than frogs; the PI is required to provide and document training for these excluded species. Training records are to be provided to the ARC (arc@research.ucla.edu) to finalize certification for the species. Personnel are encouraged to complete the relevant species-specific online course through CITI, if one is available.
- Mice and Rats
Personnel with prior experience handling a particular species may request a proficiency verification in lieu of hands-on species-specific training through DLAM. Contact dlamtraining@mednet.ucla.edu for details.
Aseptic Surgical Techniques Training
Certification in aseptic surgical techniques will be granted upon completion of the following:
- CITI Aseptic Surgery course
- Aseptic Techniques training through DLAM
Personnel who will be involved with survival surgery procedures on mammals or birds are required to participate in aseptic surgical techniques training administered by DLAM. Training includes presentations on the importance and major points of aseptic surgery, including proper preparation of the surgeon, surgical instruments, and the animal patient. Successful completion of the online CITI Aseptic Surgery course is required before attending in-person training. Both online and in-person training must be completed prior to being certified to perform aseptic surgeries.
Visit Worksafe (http://worksafe.ucla.edu) to register for DLAM training.
Personnel with prior experience performing survival surgery and/or using aseptic technique may request a proficiency verification in lieu of in-person aseptic training through DLAM.
Additional Animal User Requirements
In addition to completing the certification exam, species-specific training, and aseptic surgical techniques training (if applicable), you will also need to complete the following requirements prior to conducting animal research:
- Medical History Questionnaire Form
The UCLA Medical History Questionnaire, must be completed by all investigators and personnel who are listed in an ARC protocol, and must be renewed at the appropriate frequency. The MHQ is mandatory for all personnel having contact with research animals or animal tissues and all personnel who have a security key card or key to enter the vivarium.MHQs are completed via the UCLA Medical History Online Portal. If you have questions about the MHQ, email asheimmune@ashe.ucla.edu (students) or MHQOHFQuestions@mednet.ucla.edu (faculty and staff).
Non-UCLA personnel who participate in activities involving animals or animal tissues are asked to complete the Home Institution / Personal Physician Occupational Health Clearance form.
- Online DLAM Training
All new researchers are required to complete the following Worksafe courses prior to working with animals:
● DLAM Cage Side Communication Cards
● Identifying and Reporting Sick and Injured Rodents
● Rodent Euthanasia - Addition as Personnel to ARC Protocol
All personnel working with animals must be listed as a Team Member on an approved animal research protocol prior to initiating research activities. If you are not listed as personnel on your PI's ARC protocol, he/she will need to submit an amendment for change in personnel to the ARC in order to officially add you to the list of team members for their protocol(s). While such amendments can be submitted at any stage in the certification process, they cannot be approved until all certification requirements are complete.