ML18086A808
| ML18086A808 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/27/2018 |
| From: | Cowdrey C NRC/NRR/DIRS/IOLB |
| To: | |
| Cushing E | |
| References | |
| Download: ML18086A808 (14) | |
Text
NRC Topics of Interest Part 1 Chris Cowdrey, Senior Reactor Engineer Operator Licensing Branch Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Overview
- Program Office Goals
- NUREG-1021, Rev. 11 Highlights
- OL Program Feedback
- GFE Initiatives
- Effective Communications
Program Office Goals
- Consistent implementation of the initial examination process
- Successful transition to NUREG-1021, Rev. 11
- Comprehensive change management for other issues and new initiatives (Operator Digitalized Docket, National Examiner Schedule, GFE registration and examination process, examiner turnover)
NUREG-1021, Rev. 11 Program Office Highlights
- Discontinues process of holding licenses in abeyance
- Retains Informal Staff Review option
- Requires NRC to write all written examination outlines
- Extends post-examination comment period from 5 to 20 days
- Establishes examiner and licensing official limitations for retake examinations
Operator Licensing Program Feedback OLPF 301.20: provides clarification to Section D.5.b and what is meant by a new scenario
- Significantly modified or new scenarios
- New scenario - no overlap from previous two examinations (reactivity events excluded and major events should involve an altered course of action)
- Ultimately, Section D.5.b requires that all simulator scenarios on NRC examinations contain at least two events which have not been utilized on the previous two NRC examinations.
Operator Licensing Program Feedback OLPF 401.55: provides clarification on evaluating Tier 1 questions based on the question failing to reference an EOP or AOP even though the question meets the K/A statement
- Testing plant system design features, interlocks, and system operation for conditions, events, or symptoms that lead to entry into EOPs or AOPs and match the Tier 1 K/A statement is not unacceptable simply because the EOPs or AOPs were not entered
- If K/A specifically discusses procedure knowledge, then question must test the on the content of the appropriate procedure(s)
Operator Licensing Program Feedback ROI 17-19 (publically available - ML17213A397):
Provides clarification to NRC Examiners on how to consistently grade TS events
- Addresses Rev. 11 return to 3 TS rating factors
- Provides guidance on how each rating factor should be evaluated
- Avoids double-counting of errors and excessive penalties for TS entries with multiple conditions/actions statements
- Provides guidance on evaluation of TS events
- Clarifies approach for follow-up questioning
Operator Licensing Program Feedback OLPF 205.6: provides clarification on how the revision to ES-205, Attachment 4, GFE Test Item Distribution, as a result of NUREG-1021, Revision 11, will effect GFE
- New topic: Basic Energy Concepts
- One question in place of a Thermal Hydraulics question on PWR and BWR exams
Operator Licensing Program Feedback
- OLPF 205.1: revised to include NUREG-1021, Rev. 11 changes
- NRC provides 2 GFE per year (March and September)
- Allows industry to develop 2 additional GFEs (reviewed and approved by NRC)
- Bank-only GFE approach evaluated by NRC Office of Research
- Computer-based GFE approach under evaluation
GFE Initiatives
- Reducing NRC-provided GFE frequency to twice per year was an AIM 2020 decision
- NRC office of research has determined that an all-bank GFE is not an acceptable practice
- Working with our Technical Training Center to evaluate potential of an online GFE platform
- Evaluating other options
GFE Online Registration
- Voluntary online GFE registration process
- Satisfies requirements of 10 CFR 55.31(a)(3) for the GFE
- Allows one representative to register multiple applicants at one or more facilities online
- Overview, instructions, and user guide provided on the NRC OL website
Effective Communications
- New OL program initiatives
- New OLPF entries
- Operator licensing webpage
- Regional points of contact
OL Program Vision
- Ultimately, it is the goal of the operator licensing program to ensure that all qualified applicants, and only qualified applicants, receive a license.
- NRC is confident that it has experienced and qualified examiners implementing an effective and time-proven program to consistently meet this objective.
- NRC will continue to strive to enhance consistent and efficient program implementation in the program office and across all four regions.
Questions