ML26037A168
| ML26037A168 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 02/28/2026 |
| From: | James Anderson NRC/NRR/DRO/IOLB |
| To: | |
| References | |
| Download: ML26037A168 (0) | |
Text
Operator Licensing Program Office Update Jim Anderson Chief, Operator Licensing and Human Factors Branch February 2026
Topics
- OL program office functions
- Significant ongoing OL activities
- Effectiveness review for NUREG-1021, Rev. 12
- Revisions to NRC guidance and forms
- Tools and resources
- Operator Licensing Program feedback
- Written examination outline generator and exam development tools
The program office works with the regions to implement the operator licensing program.
Program office functions:
- Provide support as needed for the regions
- Audit selected examinations
- Provide biennial NRC examiner training
- Complete informal NRC staff reviews / appeals
- Review part 55 exemption requests and other requested licensing actions
- Support NRC international activities
- Coordinate engagement with OL stakeholders
- Oversee the NRC medical review contract
- Develop/revise regulations, guidance, forms
The effectiveness review for NUREG-1021, Revision 12, is ongoing through 2027.
- Monitors the use of new and revised instructions and guidance to determine if additional actions are needed
- Most data collection ended in 2024 while some will continue through 2027 (see ML23236A119):
- operator knowledge of generic fundamentals
- CT methodology for AP1000 exams
- overall pass rates on rev 12 exams
Data collected as part of the effectiveness review has helped identify areas for improvement.
- Reports:
- Interim Report, September 2023 (see ML23304A006)
- Two-year Report, September 2024 (see ML24347A124)
- Areas for improvement:
- Be cautious when using NRC GFE bank questions
- Not site-specific
- May contain psychometric errors or low level of difficulty (i.e., LOD 1)
- Identify all critical tasks during scenario development
- CT boundary conditions must make it possible for an applicant to pass or fail a critical task
- Document a basis for time-based boundary conditions
The program office is focused on rulemaking, guidance and inspection procedure updates, and regional support.
- Rulemaking to respond to EO 14300 and the ADVANCE Act
- Guidance updates for rulemaking projects, as needed
- Modifying NUREG-1021 to shift away from each region preparing at least exam per year to when needed
- Other guidance projects
- OL at advanced reactors and remote & autonomous operations (more on these topics tomorrow)
- Inspection procedure updates
- IP 71111.11 and IP 41500
- Support for regions as needed for plant restart licensing activities
The NRCs website has tools and resources for exam developers.
- Operator Licensing Program Feedback (OLPF)
- https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operator-licensing/prog-feedback.html
- OLPFs answer questions about operator licensing topics and are organized according to NUREG-1021 section, IP 71111.11, simulator, and general topics
- Contact Us page
- Web-based written exam outline generator
- Exam and requal inspection schedule
- K/A catalogs in Excel form / NUREG-1021 forms in Excel and Word form
Questions?