Information Notice 1998-37, Eligibility of Operator License Applicants

Eligibility of Operator License Applicants

ML031040556
Person / Time
Site:	Beaver Valley, Millstone, Hatch, Monticello, Calvert Cliffs, Dresden, Davis Besse, Peach Bottom, Browns Ferry, Salem, Oconee, Mcguire, Nine Mile Point, Palisades, Palo Verde, Perry, Indian Point, Fermi, Kewaunee, Catawba, Harris, Wolf Creek, Saint Lucie, Point Beach, Oyster Creek, Watts Bar, Hope Creek, Grand Gulf, Cooper, Sequoyah, Byron, Pilgrim, Arkansas Nuclear, Three Mile Island, Braidwood, Susquehanna, Summer, Prairie Island, Columbia, Seabrook, Brunswick, Surry, Limerick, North Anna, Turkey Point, River Bend, Vermont Yankee, Crystal River, Haddam Neck, Ginna, Diablo Canyon, Callaway, Vogtle, Waterford, Duane Arnold, Farley, Robinson, Clinton, South Texas, San Onofre, Cook, Comanche Peak, Yankee Rowe, Maine Yankee, Quad Cities, Humboldt Bay, La Crosse, Big Rock Point, Rancho Seco, Zion, Midland, Bellefonte, Fort Calhoun, FitzPatrick, McGuire, LaSalle, Fort Saint Vrain, Shoreham, Satsop, Trojan, Atlantic Nuclear Power Plant
Issue date:	10/01/1998
From:	Roe J Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:
References
IN-98-037, NUDOCS 9809280097
Download: ML031040556 (9)

KJ

UNITED STATES

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 October 1, 1998 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 98-37: ELIGIBILITY OF OPERATOR LICENSE APPLICANTS

Addresses

All holders of operating licenses for nuclear power reactors, except those who have

permanently ceased operations and have certified that fuel has been permanently removed

from the reactor vessel.

Purp ose

The U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Is issuing this information notice to remind

addressees that the eligibility requirements for applying for an operator license have not

changed since 10 CFR Part 55 was amended in 1987. Recently, the NRC staff denied some

applications for senior reactor operator licenses because the applicants did not have the

necessary responsible nuclear power plant experience at the plant for which the applicant was

seeking a license. It is expected that recipients will review the Information In this notice to avoid

similar problems. However, suggestions made in this Information notice are not NRC

requirements; therefore, no specific action or written response is required.

Backaround

10 CFR 55.31 (a)(4), requires that (1) operator license applicants submit evidence that they

have successfully completed a facility licensee's requirements to be licensed as an operator

and (2) an authorized representative of the facility licensee certify successful completion of the

requirements on NRC Form 398, uPersonal Qualification Statement - Licensee." In lieu of this

evidence, 10 CFR 55.31 (a)(4) provides that the Commission may accept certification that the

applicant has successfully completed a Commission-approved training program that is based

on a systems approach to training (SAT) and that uses a simulation facility acceptable to the

Commission.

3~~~~~~~I OU t 5 s1° ofQt

IN 98-37 Ocbober 1, 1998 The NRC discussed revised applicant eligibility criteria in a March 28, 1980 letter from

Harold Denton to all nuclear power plant licensees. In that letter, licensees were informed of

the revised criteria that the NRC staff would use In evaluating reactor operator training and

licensing. These criteria Included classroom training and simulator training and that a candidate

spend a specified amount of time on shift under instruction and to have, in the case of a senior

operator, previous responsible power plant experience, a portion of which must be at the plant

for which the license is sought, and a four-year college degree or one year as a reactor

operator. On October 31, 1980, the March 28, 1980 letter was reproduced in NUREG-0737

"Clarification of TMI Action Plan Requirements," as Section l.A.2.1, Immediate Upgrading of

Reactor Operator and Senior Reactor Operator Training and Qualifications."Section I.A.2.1 restated the criteria that a senior reactor operator applicant must have been licensed as a

reactor operator for a minimum of one year before obtaining a senior operator license. Section

l.A.2.1 further stated that applicants for a senior license were expected to have a minimum of

four years of "responsible power plant experience" and defined responsible power plant

experience as "that obtained as a control room operator (fossil or nuclear) or as a power plant

staff engineer involved in the day-to-day activities of the facility, commencing with the final year

of construction.

On February 7, 1985, the Commission published a policy statement on training and

qualification, which endorsed the industry-wide accreditation process while affirming the NRC's

responsibility for evaluating licensees' training efforts. The accreditation process was endorsed

by the Commission based on the strength of the SAT process in maintaining the training

program content and because the accreditation guidance for licensed operator training

programs established recommended qualifications, including experience, for licensed control

room operators, senior control room operators, and shift supervisors that were consistent with

the experience requirements contained In the 1980 Denton letter.

In 1987, 10 CFR Part 55, was amended to codify the Commission's policy related to operator

training. Concurrent with publication of the Part 55 rule change, the staff published Revision 2 to Regulatory Guide 1.8, Personnel Selection and Training," and endorsed ANSI/ANS-3.1-

1981, with exceptions. Regulatory Guide 1.8 defined a method acceptable to the NRC for

compliance with regulations regarding training and qualification of nuclear power plant

personnel. The endorsement and exceptions reiterated the NRC's position on the experience

needed by operator and senior reactor operator applicants, previously stated In the 1980

Denton letter and In NUREG-0737.

Description of Circumstances

Recently the NRC staff denied some applications for senior reactor operator licenses because

the applicants did not have the necessary responsible power plant experience. These

applicants had completed the licensee's training program but did not have six months of

responsible nuclear power plant experience at the plants for which the applicants were seeking

a license.

IN 98-37 October 1, 1998 Discussion

The 1987 amendment to 10 CFR Part 55 provided that applicants would no longer need to

provide details of their training and experience on the application If they certified that they had

completed a Commission-approved training program that used a simulation facility acceptable

to the NRC under 55.45(b). Additionally, the Statement of Considerations (SOC)

accompanying the rule change stated that a facility licensee's training program would be

approved by being accredited by the National Nuclear Accrediting Board. At the time of the

publication of the Part 55 rule change, the experience recommendations In the industry's

accredited licensed operator training program guidelines were considered to be equivalent to

the experience criteria of Regulatory Guide 1.8, Revision 2. Therefore, when 10 CFR

55.31 (a)(4) was promulgated, an accredited training program, based on an SAT process, together with the specific experience criteria contained in the training program accreditation

guidelines at that time, was an acceptable alternative method for complying with the

Commission's regulations on training and qualification of nuclear power plant workers. The

SOC accompanying the 1987 revision also informed licensees that their training programs and

experience criteria must conform to the Commission-approved baseline as these were reflected

in the industry's accreditation standards at the time of the revision.

While the Commission-approved experience baseline for licensed operators has not changed

since the 1980 Denton letter, the National Academy for Nuclear Training modified its accredited

licensed operator training program guidelines in 1991 by removing certain criteria Integral to the

NRC's endorsement of that accreditation as an acceptable means of meeting the requirements

in 10 CFR Part 55. Some facility licensees interpreted the removal of these criteria from the

Industry guidelines as NRC approval to reduce the training and experience requirements for

operator license applicants and modified their training programs and procedures accordingly.

To rectify the unintended Interpretation by many facility licensees as a result of the modified

industry guidelines, the National Academy for Nuclear Training developed interim guidance

which reinstates the industry guidance that was removed in 1991. This interim guidance was

sent to its membership on July 8, 1998.

Many licensees are in the process of upgrading (amending) their facility licensing basis

documents, including the technical specifications, prior to submitting them to the NRC staff for

approval. The NRC staff will review submittals which contain references to licensed operator

eligibility requirements against the Commission-approved experience baseline referenced in

this Information notice; however, licensees may propose means other than those specified in

the baseline criteria for meeting applicable regulations.

IN 98-37 October 1, 1998 This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If you have any

questions about the information in this notice, please contact one of the technical contacts

listed below or the appropriate Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.

W. Roe, Acting Director

ivision of Reactor Program Management

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical contacts: Richard Pelton, NRR John Pellet, Region IV

301-415-1028 817-860-8159 E-mail: rmpl@nrc.gov E-Mail: jlp@nrc.gov

Jesse Arildsen, NRR Richard Conte, Region I Thomas Peebles, Region II

301-415-1026 610-337-5183 404-562-4638 E-mail: jaa@nrc.gov E-mail: mc@nrc.gov E-mail: tap@nrc.gov

Melvyn Leach, Region IlIl Charles Petrone, NRR

630-829-9705 301-415-1027 E-mail: mnl@nrc.gov E-mail: cdp@nrc.gov

Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

A - -bJ L ,-

.

Attachment 1 IN 98-37 October 1, 1998 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED

NRC INFORMATION NOTICES

Information Date of

Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to

98-37 Inadequate or Poorly Controlled 9/18/98 All holders of operating Ilicenses

Non-Safety-Related Maintenance for nuclear power reactors

Activities Unnecessarily Challenged

Safety Systems

98-35 Threat Assessments and 914/98 All U.S. NRC fuel cycle facilities

Consideration of Heightened power and non-power reactor

Physical Protection Measures licencees (Safeguard issues, not

for public disclosure.)

98-34 NRC Configuration Control 8/28/98 All holders of Operating licenses

Errors for nuclear power reactors, except

for those who have ceased

operations and have certified that

fuel has been permanently

removed from the reactor vessel

98-33 NRC Regulations Prohibit 8/28/98 All holders of a U.S. Nuclear

Agreements that restrict or Regulatory Commission (NRC)

Discourage an Employee from license.

Participating in Protected Activities

98-32 Problems Associated with Post- 8/26/98 All holders of operating licenses

Fire Safe-Shutdown Circuit for nuclear power reactors, except

Analyses those who have permanently

ceased operations and have

certified that fuel has been

permanently removed form the

reactor

OL = Operating License

CP = Construction Permit

' IN 98-37 October 1, 1998 This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If you have any

questions about the information in this notice, please contact one of the technical contacts

listed below or the appropriate Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.

Jack W. Roe, Acting Director

Division of Reactor Program Management

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical contacts: Richard Pelton, NRR John Pellet, Region IV

301-415-1028 817-860-8159 E-mail: rmpl@nrc.gov E-Mail: jlp@nrc.gov

Jesse Arildsen, NRR Richard Conte, Region I Thomas Peebles, Region II

301-415-1026 610-337-5183 404-562-4638 E-mail: jaa@nrc.gov E-mail: mc@nrc.gov E-mail: tap@nrc.gov

Melvyn Leach, Region IlIl Charles Petrone, NRR

630-829-9705 301-415-1027 E-mail: mnl@nrc.gov E-mail: cdp@nrc.gov

Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

• See previous concurrence

DOCUMENT NAME: S:\DRPMSEC\98-37.IN

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NAME CPetrone* JArildsen* STreby* I LSpessard* JStolz* J o]

DATE 09/03/98 09/03/98 09/24/98 09/23/98 09/24/98 i/ 1 8 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

xIN 98-4 /

62i Sft~rtMer.xk, 1998 This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If you have any

questions about the information in this notice, please contact one of the technical contacts

listed below or the appropriate Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.

Jack W. Roe, Acting Director

Division of Reactor Program Management

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical contacts: Richard Pelton, NRR John Pellet, Region IV

301-415-1028 817-860-8159 E-mail: rmpl@nrc.gov E-Mail: jlp@nrc.gov

Jesse Arildsen, NRR Richard Conte, Region I Thomas Peebles, Region II

301-415-1026 610-337-5183 404-562-4638 E-mail: jaa@nrc.gov E-mail: rnc@nrc.gov E-mail: tap@nrc.gov

Melvyn Leach, Region IlIl Charles Petrone, NRR

630-829-9705 301-415-1027 E-mail: mnl@nrc.gov E-mail: cdp@nrc.gov

Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

• See previous concurrence

DOCUMENT NAME: G:\CDP\IN OPLIC.003 ICIAL RECORD COPY

To receive a copy of this document indicate in the box C=Copy wlo

attachment/enclosure E=Copy with attachment/enclosure N = No copy

OFFICE PECB I IL

HOLBLlIOGC D:DRCH ( ECB: (A)D:DRPMIl

NAME CPetrone* JAHldsen* STreby ISpessard i JRoe

DATE 09/03/98 09/03/98 & 9 8 q I /98 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

6fi1o

Ix IN 98-xx

September xx, 1998 This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If you have any

questions about the information in this notice, please contact one of the technical contacts

listed below or the appropriate Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.

Jack W. Roe, Acting Director

Division of Reactor Program Management

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical contacts: Richard Pelton, NRR John Pellet, Region IV

301-415-1028 817-860-8159 E-mail: rmpl@nrc.gov E-Mail: jlp@nrc.gov

Jesse Arildsen, NRR Richard Conte, Region I Thomas Peebles, Region II

301-415-1026 610-337-5183 404-562-4638 E-mail: jaa@nrc.gov E-mail: rnc@nrc.gov E-mail: tap@nrc.gov

Melvyn Leach, Region III Charles Petrone, NRR

630-829-9705 301-415-1027 E-mail: mnl@nrc.gov E-mail: cdp@nrc.gov

Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

• See previous concurrence

DOCUMENT NAME: G:\CDP\INOPLIC.003 - OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

To receive a copy of this document, indicate In the box C=Copy wlo attachmentlenclosure E=Copy with attachment/enclosure N = No copy

OFFICE PECB it HOLB I OGC I D:DRCH C:PECB: I (A)D:DR

NAME CPetrone* JArildsen* STrebe ILSpessard JStolz JRoel

DATE 09/0398U 09/03/98 I / /98 j I /98 I /98 / /98 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

- -

IN 98-xx

" September xx, 1998 qualification of nuclear power plant workers. The SOC accompanying the 1987 revision also

D-eRic-ce nsees that their training programs and experience criteria must conform to the

afet Commission-approved baseline as these were reflected in the industry's accreditation

standards at the time of the revision.

While the Commission-approved experience baseline for licensed operators has not changed

since the 1980 Denton letter, it has come to the NRC staffs attention that the industry's

accredited licensed operator training program modified its guidelines in 1991 by removing

certain criteria integral to the NRC's endorsement of that accreditation as an acceptable means

of meeting the requirements in 10 CFR Part 55. To rectify the unintended interpretation by

many facility licensees as a result of the modified industry guidelines, the National Academy for

Nuclear Training has developed interim guidance which reinstates the industry guidance that

was removed in 1991. This interim guidance was sent to its membership on July 8, 1998.

Many licensees are in the process of upgrading their facility licensing basis documents, including the technical specifications, prior to submitting them to the NRC staff for approval.

The NRC staff expects that any such submittals which contain reference to licensed operator

eligibility requirements will conform to the Commission-approved experience baseline

referenced in this information notice. Licensees may propose means other than those specified

baseline criteria for meeting applicable regulations.

This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If you have any

questions about the information in this notice, please contact one of the technical contacts

listed below or the appropriate Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.

Jack W. Roe, Acting Director

Division of Reactor Program Management

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical contacts: Richard Pelton, NRR John Pellet, Region IV

301-415-1028 817-860-8159 E-mail: rmpl@nrc.gov E-Mail: jlp@nrc.gov

Jesse Arildsen, NRR Richard Conte, Region I Thomas Peebles, Region II

301-415-1026 610-337-5183 404-562-4638 E-mail: jaa@nrc.gov E-mail: rnc@nrc.gov E-mail: tap@nrc.gov

Melvyn Leach, Region IlIl Charles Petrone, NRR

630-829-9705 301-415-1027 E-mail: mnl@nrc.gov i-E-mail: cdp@nrc.gov

Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

DOCUMENT NAME: G:\CDP\INOPLIC.002 - OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

To receive a copy of this document, indicate In the box C=Copy wlo attachment/enclosure E=Copy with attachment/enclosure N = No copy

[OFFICE PECB I HOLB j IJIOGC I D:DRCH I C:PECB: (A)D:DRP l

NAME CPetrone JAI;Z STrebe I LSpessard JStolz _ JRoe

l DATE 5k/i/98 F9/13/98 1 I /98 I /98 I /98 LI /98 1 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY