ML25101A213
| ML25101A213 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 04/30/2025 |
| From: | Justin Vazquez NRC/NSIR/DPCP/AAFPB |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML25101A211 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML25101A213 (1) | |
Text
ML2501A213 REAL ID Act of 2005:
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Phased Enforcement Plan The REAL ID Act of 2005 (REAL ID Act) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implementing regulations in 6 CFR Part 37 prohibit Federal agencies from accepting non-compliant State-issued drivers licenses and identification cards (DL/IDs) to verify the identity of individuals entering nuclear power plants.
Nationwide, card-based enforcement of the REAL ID Act requirements begins on May 7, 2025.
DHS issued a final rule on January 14, 2025 (90 FR 3472), that enables Federal agencies to implement REAL ID Act requirements using a phased enforcement plan. Under such a plan, an agency would not be required to achieve full card-based enforcement of REAL ID Act requirements until May 5, 2027. As discussed in Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Information Notice 2025-02 (ML25043A220), the NRC has chosen to implement a phased enforcement plan for administering REAL ID Act requirements applicable to NRC regulatory requirements for licensed nuclear power plants.
Under this plan, the NRC will implement full card-based enforcement of REAL ID Act requirements for DL/IDs used for the purpose of entering nuclear power plants on May 5, 2027. During the NRCs phased enforcement period, licensees, contractors, and vendors should take steps to make any necessary changes to procedures, conduct training as appropriate, and communicate with personnel regarding the need to obtain and possess a compliant form of identification.
This plan consists of three phases, ahead of full enforcement, during which the NRC will conduct activities as described below.
Phase 1: Inform (March 2025 - April 2025)
Publish NRC Information Notice 2025-02 (Implementation of the REAL ID Act of 2025 and Considerations for U.S. NRC Nuclear Power Plant Licensees) and Phased Enforcement Plan.
Conduct outreach activities:
o Notify the public of the NRCs plans through NRC Office of Public Affairs communications (NRC website, social media).
o On the NRCs public website (https://www.nrc.gov), establish a REAL ID Act webpage containing information and links to the NRC information notice, phased enforcement plan, and question-and-answer (Q&A) document.
o Highlight REAL ID requirements and phased enforcement at the industrys annual conference (Access Authorization and Fitness for Duty Workshop, June 2025).
Phase 2: Monitor & Prepare (May 2025 - June 2026)
Engage with industry stakeholders, through ongoing periodic interactions, regarding communication needs and lessons learned.
Develop and issue updates to NRC inspection procedures providing guidance on the review of licensee procedures and observation of activities pertaining to the use of State-issued DL/IDs for purposes of entering nuclear power plants.
Brief/train NRC inspectors on inspection guidance at the Spring 2026 NRC Security Counterpart Meeting and Technology Refresher training course.
Phase 3: Reinforce (July 2026 - April 2027)
Hold an NRC public meeting in Summer 2026 to answer stakeholder questions and remind them of the full enforcement date.
Update NRC guidance (e.g., Q&A document) based on lessons-learned from initial stages of industry implementation.
Consider issuing a follow-up Information Notice and/or working with the NRC Office of Public Affairs to further engage with stakeholders, if needed to enhance awareness.
Full Enforcement (May 7, 2027)
Assess licensee compliance with REAL ID requirements during NRC inspection of licensee access authorization and access controls programs.
Document issues/observations, cite findings/violations as warranted.
Provide additional guidance/updates, as needed to address issues and lessons-learned identified through operating experience.
ML25101A211; ML25101A213 OFFICE NSIR/DPCP/AAFPB NSIR/DPCP/AAFPB OGC/GCRPS
/HLWFCNS/NLO NSIR/DPCP NAME BZaleski JVazquez JMaltese JMcKirgan DATE Apr 11, 2025 Apr 18, 2025 Apr 22, 2025 Apr 29, 2025 OFFICE NSIR/DPCP/AAFPB NAME JVazquez DATE Apr 29, 2025