OIG-24-A-07, Status of Recommendations: Audit of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commissions Safety Inspections of Class II Research and Test Reactors, Dated. February 18, 2026
| ML26049A078 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 02/18/2026 |
| From: | Virkar H NRC/OIG/AIGA |
| To: | Mark King NRC/EDO |
| References | |
| OIG-24-A-07 | |
| Download: ML26049A078 (0) | |
Text
NRC Headquarters l 11555 Rockville Pike l Rockville, Maryland 20852 l 301.415.5930 nrcoig.oversight.gov MEMORANDUM DATE:
February 18, 2026 TO:
Michael F. King Executive Director for Operations FROM:
Hruta Virkar, CPA /RA/
Assistant Inspector General for Audits & Evaluations
SUBJECT:
STATUS OF RECOMMENDATIONS: AUDIT OF THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS SAFETY INSPECTIONS OF CLASS II RESEARCH AND TEST REACTORS (OIG-24-A-07)
REFERENCE:
ACTING DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION, MEMORANDUM DATED DECEMBER 14, 2025 Attached is the Office of the Inspector Generals (OIG) analysis and status of recommendations as discussed in the agencys response dated December 14, 2025.
Based on this response, recommendations 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 are closed.
Recommendations 1.2 and 3.1 were previously closed. Recommendations 1.1 and 4.1 remain open and resolved. Please provide an updated status of the open, resolved recommendations by July 31, 2026.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at 301.415.1982 or Avinash Jaigobind, Team Leader, at 301.415.5402.
Attachment:
As stated cc: D. Curtis, ADO S. Anderson, Acting DADO E. Deeds, OEDO OIG Liaison Resource EDO ACS Distribution
Audit Report AUDIT OF THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS SAFETY INSPECTIONS OF CLASS II RESEARCH AND TEST REACTORS Status of Recommendations (OIG-24-A-07) 2 Recommendation 1.1:
Update and implement guidance applicable to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commissions (NRCs) current timekeeping system.
Agency Response NRC Staff Action: Update Management Directive Dated December 14, 2025: (MD) 10.43, Time and Labor Reporting, to reflect the changes to the new Human Capital Management Cloud System.
Target: 6/30/2025.
Status: In progress. In January 30, 2025, letter, the staff revised the schedule for completing the update to MD 10.43 from June 30, 2025, to September 30, 2025. Due to additional system upgrades and other changes that need to be incorporated into the MD, the staff has revised the schedule to complete the update to MD 10.43 from September 30, 2025, to June 30, 2026. The update of MD 10.43 is on track for completion by the revised date.
OIG Analysis:
The proposed actions meet the intent of this recommendation. The OIG will close this recommendation upon reviewing the updated MD 10.43 to ensure that it reflects the new changes to the Human Capital Management Cloud System. This recommendation remains open and resolved.
Status:
Open: Resolved
Audit Report AUDIT OF THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS SAFETY INSPECTIONS OF CLASS II RESEARCH AND TEST REACTORS Status of Recommendations (OIG-24-A-07) 3 Recommendation 2.1:
Update the research and test reactor (RTR) training guidance to include specific courses and hours for refresher training.
Recommendation 2.2:
Track post-qualification and refresher training.
Agency Response NRC Staff Action: Enhance the RTR inspector training Dated December 14, 2025: program to ensure the recording and tracking of required training, including the tracking of post-qualification and refresher training. Target: 12/31/2024.
Status: Complete. The staff completed a review of the training program and identified post-qualification and refresher training enhancements for implementation. The staff is coordinating these training enhancements along with the improvements to inspector training and inspection procedures identified in a separate NRC response related to the OIGs special inquiry into the NRCs oversight of RTRs (OIG Case No. 12100162). The enhancements being made to the RTR inspector training include revising Inspection Manual Chapter (IMC) 1245 Appendix C5 Research and Test Reactor Technical Proficiency Training and Qualification Journal, to include computer-based training from the basic class for safety culture assessors as required post-qualification and refresher training. Additionally, the RTR inspectors are being included in site access refresher training in the NRCs Talent Management System (TMS).
Finally, relevant topic-specific training is conducted annually during a joint meeting between the NPUF Licensing and Oversight Branches. That training is documented, and attendance is tracked. RTR inspectors completed annual event response training and training on the NPUF rule during December 10-11, 2024. The staff revised IMC 1245 Appendix D1, Maintaining Qualifications, in June 2025 to include the site access refresher training and safety culture training as a refresher training requirement, among other enhancements. Additionally, the staff decided to make significant updates to the IMC 1245 Appendix C5 to improve the qualification program for new inspectors. The revision to IMC 1245 Appendix C5 was completed in September 2025 and both appendixes are available for use by new inspectors.
Audit Report AUDIT OF THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS SAFETY INSPECTIONS OF CLASS II RESEARCH AND TEST REACTORS Status of Recommendations (OIG-24-A-07) 4 Recommendations 2.1 and 2.2 (continued):
OIG Analysis:
The OIG verified that IMC 1245, Appendix D1 includes requirements for site access and safety culture training for inspectors, and that IMC 1245, Appendix C5 includes guidance instructing inspectors to record their training completion in the TMS. Accordingly, these two recommendations are closed.
Status:
Closed
Audit Report AUDIT OF THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS SAFETY INSPECTIONS OF CLASS II RESEARCH AND TEST REACTORS Status of Recommendations (OIG-24-A-07) 5 Recommendation 2.3: Periodically review the RTR training program to ensure consistency, effectiveness, and relevance.
Agency Response NRC Staff Action: Periodically revise the RTR training Dated December 14, 2025: program to reflect new training needs of the RTR staff.
Target: 12/31/2024.
Status: Complete. The NRC staff is identifying training needs and documenting the review of the RTR training program as part of the annual joint branch meeting.
OIG Analysis:
The OIG reviewed and verified that the RTR training program and training needs were discussed by staff at the annual joint branch meetings. This recommendation is now closed.
Status:
Closed
Audit Report AUDIT OF THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS SAFETY INSPECTIONS OF CLASS II RESEARCH AND TEST REACTORS Status of Recommendations (OIG-24-A-07) 6 Recommendation 4.1:
Periodically review and update the RTR inspection guidance in accordance with IMC 0040.
Agency Response NRC Staff Action: Enhance guidance for performing a Dated December 14, 2025: periodic review of inspection guidance of RTRs.
Target: 12/31/2024.
Status: Partially Complete. The RTR inspection program will follow the guidance in IMC 0040, Preparation, Revision, Issuance, and Ongoing Oversight of NRC Inspection Manual Documents, for the periodic review and update of RTR inspection guidance. In the NRCs response to OIGs special inquiry into the NRCs oversight of RTRs (OIG Case No. I2100162), the agency stated that it would enhance RTR inspection guidance. Since that response, Congress passed the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act of 2024 and the President issued Executive Order (EO) 14300, Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. EO 13400, Section 5(g), directed the NRC to revise the Reactor Oversight Process and reactor security rules and requirements to reduce unnecessary burdens and be responsive to credible risks. Section 507 of the ADVANCE Act directed the NRC to identify specific improvements to the nuclear reactor and materials oversight and inspection programs carried out pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) that the Commission may implement to maximize the efficiency of such programs through, where appropriate, the use of risk-informed, performance-based procedures, expanded incorporation of information technologies, and staff training. In response to those directives, the staff is reassessing the oversight program for RTRs. This initiative seeks to streamline and update existing inspection procedures, integrate best practices and tools to disposition low-safety significance issues, and implement efficiencies within the inspection process to optimize time and resource allocation without compromising safety. The staff plans to complete and implement the revised inspection program guidance by June 30, 2026.
Audit Report AUDIT OF THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS SAFETY INSPECTIONS OF CLASS II RESEARCH AND TEST REACTORS Status of Recommendations (OIG-24-A-07) 7 Recommendation 4.1 (continued):
OIG Analysis:
The proposed action meets the intent of this recommendation. The OIG will close the recommendation upon reviewing the inspection guidance enhancements related to the RTR inspection program This recommendation remains open and resolved.
Status:
Open: Resolved