To obtain "Authorized User" Status, RS Form 100, Application for Possession and Use of Radionuclides, (Appendix A) must be completed and submitted to the Radiation Safety Program. Complete ALL items on the application form and attach additional sheets as necessary. The RSO will review the qualifications of applicants and authorize the use of radionuclides appropriate to their training and experience.

Written notification will be sent as soon as an application is acted upon (usually within 30 days). The specifics of an authorization will be spelled out in this notification including any special conditions that might pertain to radionuclide use. An approved authorization is valid for up to 3 years and is renewable.

When completing the application for authorization to use radioactive materials, pay particular attention to the following:

• All restricted and controlled areas must be locked when unattended. Materials stored in unrestricted areas must be secured from unauthorized removal or attended under constant surveillance as indicated in 10 CFR 20. 1801 and 20.1802. Additional information on the security of radioactive materials is found in Section 9.
• The radionuclide "Possession Limit" is the amount of activity an Authorized User plans to have "on hand" at any given time in any form (i.e. stock solution, tagged samples or waste).
• Please provide information pertaining to the anticipated use for each nuclide for which authorization is requested. Justification for particularly large order and possession limits should be included here. Attach written procedures and protocols.
• All personnel must complete the radiation safety exam. For particularly radiotoxic nuclides, unusual procedures or large quantities, please describe additional training that will be provided. Information on required training for all laboratory personnel is found in Section 6.
• If radioactivity is to be administered to live animals, RS Form120, Animal Use of Radionuclides, (Appendix C) must be completed and submitted with the application. Additionally, all appropriate Federal, State, and University animal handling requirements, as specified in the UWM Animal Care Guide, must be followed. The special requirements for the use of radioactive materials in animals are outlined in Section 17. Contact the UWM Animal Care Program office at 229-6016 for more information on general research animal use.
• If student use is anticipated, the user must abide by classroom guidelines and make arrangements for appropriate training. Information on the requirements for the use of radionuclides in student labs is provided in Section 18.
• The NRC places strict conditions on the use of radioiodine. Detailed information is required for all work involving radioiodinations. The specific requirements for the use of radioiodine at UWM are discussed in Section 14.

The University's NRC license does not recognize any quantity of radioactive material as exempt from authorization unless it is in a sealed standard or check source. Please contact the Radiation Safety Program if you have questions regarding any material you plan to use or have in your possession.

Before authorization may be granted, the applicant must have adequate training and experience with the radionuclides that he/she will be using related to the radionuclide laboratory classification scheme (see Section 5, Laboratory Classifications). Training and experience information shoud be provided on RS Form 110 (Appendix B). If the applicant does not meet the criteria outlined below, additional training and education will be required to bring the applicant to a training level for further consideration for Authorized User status.

The minimum training and experience to qualify as an Authorized User is as follows:

• Laboratory Type 1
  1. a college degree at the bachelor level, or equivalent training and experience, in such areas as physical, chemical, biological, biomedical, veterinary, or engineering sciences, and;
  2. at least 40 hours of training and experience in the safe handling of radioactive materials, the characteristics of ionizing radiation, units of radiation dose and quantities, radiation detection instrumentation and biological effects of radiation exposure appropriate to the types and forms of byproduct material used.
• Laboratory Type 2

  Minimum qualifications for type 1 laboratory, plus an additional 40 hours of training and experience with the quantities of radionuclides, or similar radionuclides, proposed for use.

• Laboratory Type 3

  Minimum qualifications for type 1 laboratories plus one year combined training and experience with the quantities of radionuclides, or similar radionuclides, proposed for use.

• Laboratory Type 4

  Minimum qualifications for type 1 laboratories plus two years combined training and experience with the quantities of radionuclides, or similar radionuclides, proposed for use.

As a condition of the UWM NRC license all Authorized User approvals must be reviewed and renewed every three years. Written notification that your authorization is going to expire will be sent well in advance of the expiration date. If you wish to renew your authorization with no changes complete RS Form 170 (Appendix F) and return it to the Radiation Safety Program before the expiration date. If you need to make changes to your authorization complete the standard application RS Form 100 and include any desired changes or special conditions or requests. Once your renewal application is receved by Radiation Safety your authorization remains valid beyond the expiration date and is considered to be under "timely renewal" unless you are otherwise notified. Written confirmation will be sent as soon as the application has been approved (usually within 30 days). Failure to submit a renewal application by the expiration date could result in termination of the authorization. If significant changes are made to RS Form 100 (as required by the NRC, etc.) Form 170 will not be accepted until a current application form is file.

Requests for changes in authorizations are possible by submitting a letter, RS Form 100, or the short Form 150 (Appendix E) indicating the desired change. Written notification will be sent to you as soon as the amendment has been approved. Amendments become part of your current authorization and assume its expiration date. Contact the Radiation Safety Officer for more information on amendments.

Exceptions to certain requirements and procedures may be granted by the RSO on a case by case basis. Exceptions may only be approved if they do not pose a hazard or violate the terms and conditions of the University’s NRC license. Typical exceptions include allowing a piece of lab equipment to remain at contaminated levels or the intermittent use of radioactive materials within a laboratory, etc. Please contact the Radiation Safety Officer to discuss possible exception requests you may have.

When an Authorized User is going to be absent for more than 30 days, his or her authorization must be transferred to another Authorized User. This ensures that someone is responsible for the activities of each laboratory at all times. Contact the Radiation Safety Program for more information on this before your intended absence.

An authorization may be terminated at the request of the Authorized User after all radionuclides are properly disposed of or transferred to another Authorized User and a final survey of the radionuclide facilities assigned to the Authorized User shows that these areas are free of contamination. Authorized Users who will be leaving the University are expected to terminate their authorization in a timely manner prior to their departure. An authorization may be revoked by the Radiation Safety Officer for flagrant disregard of the radiation safety guidelines or for repeated or intentional violation of the NRC regulations.

If you have difficulty completing any of the application forms or have any questions please call the Radiation Safety Program at 229-4275.