ML25346A067
| ML25346A067 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute |
| Issue date: | 12/12/2025 |
| From: | Tony Brown Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Smolinski A US Dept of Defense, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute |
| References | |
| Download: ML25346A067 (3) | |
Text
December 12, 2025 Andrew T. Smolinski, Reactor Facility Director Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Building 42 Bethesda, MD 20889-5648
SUBJECT:
ARMED FORCES RADIOBIOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE - APPROVAL OF ADDITIONAL TRAINING FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF 10CFRPART55, OPERATORS LICENSES
Dear Mr. Smolinski:
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has approved the written justification for additional training at the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI). As provided in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 55, Operators Licenses, paragraph 53(h), each operator and senior operator licensee shall complete a requalification program as described by 10 CFR 55.59, Requalification. AFRRI informed the NRC staff that due to on-going troubleshooting with the pulsing nuclear instrument, NPP-1000 module, pulsing has been restricted at AFRRI for the 2024-2025 licensed operator requalification (LOR) cycle.
As a result, licensed operators are prevented from fulfilling the required LOR program pulsing element and are unable to meet the requirements of 10 CFR 55.59(a). This letter is in response to AFRRIs request dated October 24, 2025 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System Package Accession No. ML25303A279) that proposed pulse training be conducted at The Pennsylvania State University and be used to satisfy the requirements of the AFRRI LOR program for all licensed individuals at AFRRI for the 2024-2025 requalification cycle.
10 CFR 55.59, Requalification A licensees requirements for requalification include 10 CFR 55.59(a), which states that each licensee shall (1) successfully complete a requalification program developed by the facility licensee that has been approved by the Commission, and (2) pass a comprehensive requalification written examination and an annual operating test. The required content of requalification programs is provided in 10 CFR 55.59(c)(1)-(6), with a special allowance in 10 CFR 55.59(c)(7) acknowledging that to accommodate specialized modes of operation and differences in control, equipment, and operator skills and knowledge, the requalification program for each licensed operator and senior operator of a research reactor or test reactor facility must conform generally but need not be identical to the requalification program outlined in 10 CFR 55.59(c)(1)-(6), but with significant deviations permitted only if supported by written justification and approved by the Commission. Topics and activities addressed by 10 CFR 55.59(c) include in 10 CFR 55.59(c)(3)(i) on-the-job training involving manipulating the plant controls for startups and shutdowns as applicable to the plant design.
A. Smolinski 10 CFR 55.59(b), Additional Training The Commissions regulation at 10 CFR 55.59(b) provides the regulatory process to follow when a licensee has not met the requalification program requirements, and 10 CFR 55.59(b) states:
Additional training. If the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section are not met, the Commission may require the licensee to complete additional training and to submit evidence to the Commission of successful completion of this training before returning to licensed duties.
The NRC staff assessed the AFRRI-submitted documents and finds that its proposed path forward as outlined and discussed is acceptable. The proposed additional training provides the necessary timeline, milestones, and overall evaluation process for returning licensed operators to an active requalification status. Upon successful completion of the training AFRRI agrees to inform the NRC staff before returning to licensed duties. Any changes or deviations from the proposed additional training will be communicated to the NRC staff and dispositioned for compliance and/or possible issues.
If you have any questions, please contact Tony Brown at (301) 415-7499 or via email at Tony.Brown@nrc.gov.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Tony Brown, Chief, Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Oversight Branch Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power, Production and Utilization Facilities, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-170 License No. R-84 cc: GovDelivery Subscribers
ML25346A067 NRR-048 OFFICE NRR/DANU/UNPL:PM NRR/DANU/UNPL:BC NRR/DANU/UNPO:BC NAME CMontgomery JRady TBrown DATE 11/20/2025 12/12/2025 12/12/2025