ML25198A119
| ML25198A119 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 07/17/2025 |
| From: | Adelaide Giantelli NRC/NMSS/DMSST/ASPB |
| To: | Schneider I State of CA |
| Meyer K | |
| References | |
| Download: ML25198A119 (1) | |
Text
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 Mr. Ira Schneider, Branch Chief Radiologic Health Branch Division of Radiation Safety and Environmental Management California Department of Public Health PO Box 997414, MS-7610 Sacramento, CA 95899-7414
Dear Mr. Schneider:
This is in reference to our earlier discussion regarding the Nuclear Regulatory Commissions (NRCs) expectations for the qualification of the State of Californias radioactive materials inspectors and license reviewers under its Atomic Energy Act, Section 274b Agreement with the NRC (Agreement).
As part of your Agreement with the NRC, the California Department of Public Health is required to maintain a compatible qualification program for its radioactive materials inspectors and license reviewers in accordance with Appendix A to the NRCs Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards Procedure SA-200, Compatibility Categories and Health and Safety Identification for NRC Regulations and Other Program Elements. The program elements in Appendix A are applicable to the regulation of radioactive materials under your Agreement and are based on the analysis of the categorization criteria and processes set out in NRCs Management Directive 5.9, Adequacy and Compatibility of Agreement State Programs. As you know, the NRC periodically reviews Agreement State programs through the Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP) to ensure they are adequate and compatible with the NRCs program. The last IMPEP review for the State of California was conducted in November 2024. As part of that review, your staffs ability to conduct effective licensing and inspection activities, which is largely dependent on having a sufficient number of experienced, knowledgeable, and well-trained technical personnel, was evaluated and your program was found to be adequate to protect public health and safety. Also as part of that review, it was determined that the State of Californias qualification program for radioactive materials license reviewers and inspectors as documented in Californias, Training Program for Radioactive Materials Licensing Health Physicists and Inspector Qualification Program, respectively, was equivalent with NRC Training requirements.
To maintain a compatible qualification program, the NRC expects the State of California to implement its documented program. In particular, we note that your qualification plan requires that each individual undergoing qualification attend formal training courses either offered by the NRC or an equivalent alternative. We are currently not aware of any commercially available training courses that have a compatible curriculum with those offered by the NRC. As indicated in NRC guidance SA-200, the State of California does have the option of developing its own formal qualification training program. This program must meet the essential elements of the NRCs program; however, the manner in which the essential elements are met need not be the July 17, 2025 same as the NRCs. The NRC will continue to provide the travel, lodging, and tuition costs for Agreement State staff, including staff from the State of California, selected to attend NRC courses as funding is available.
If you have any questions regarding this correspondence, please feel free to contact me at (301) 415-3521 or Adelaide.Giantelli@nrc.gov.
Adelaide Giantelli, Chief State Agreement and Liaison Programs Branch Division of Materials Safety, Security, State, and Tribal Programs Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards Signed by Giantelli, Adelaide on 07/17/25
ML25198A119 OFFICE NMSS/MSST/SMPB NAME AGiantelli DATE Jul 17, 2025