Campus Resources

ARC Certification Information and Registration
  1. Why is There a Certification Program?
  2. What Does the Certification Program Involve?
  3. Training in Aseptic Surgical Techniques
  4. Frequently Asked Questions
  5. Exam Session Schedule
  6. Exam Session Registration
  7. Additional Animal User Requirements

A. Why Is There a Certification Program at UCLA?

All animal research at UCLA must be conducted in accordance with the federal regulations as set forth in the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), the 1996 Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, PHS Policy for the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, as well as UCLA's policies and procedures as set forth in the UCLA Animal Care and Use Training Manual.

One primary mandate central to all regulations and policies is that the ARC must be responsible for providing training to the investigators, animal technicians, and other personnel directly involved with animal care or use at UCLA. Training must include, but is not limited to, the following topics: (1) the humane practice of animal maintenance and experimentation; and (2) research or testing methods that minimize or eliminate the use of animals or limit pain or distress.

With over 3500 active animal users at any one time, it is not possible for the ARC to provide one-on-one training for each person. Therefore, the ARC created the Certification Program, bearing in mind that training is ultimately a cooperative effort between many members of the research community. Obviously, the primary responsibility for training resides with the principal investigator or faculty sponsor, as the case may be. In addition, the ARC and the Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DLAM) supplement such training with the ARC Certification Program as described in this fact sheet. Other departments, such as Biological Safety and Radiation Safety, may elect to have their own training programs. Together, through the combined efforts of all involved parties, both the spirit and letter of the law mandating training can be fulfilled at UCLA.


B. What Does the Certification Program Involve?

ARC policy mandates that all Principal Investigators, as well as all personnel having direct contact with live vertebrate animals, must obtain ARC certification prior to initiating work with laboratory animals. For detailed information on who must be certified or to inquire about the certification status of personnel, please call the ARC office at (310) 206-6308.

UCLA's Certification Program is composed of two components (written exam and species-specific training). Please note that participants are required to complete both components of certification in order to be certified. Additionally, personnel who will be involved with survival surgery procedures on mammals or birds must participate in an aseptic surgical techniques class (see Section C below).

1. WRITTEN EXAM

The written exam is based on the UCLA Animal Care and Use Training Manual. This test requires the participant to demonstrate knowledge on the general policies regarding animal use at UCLA. All versions of the test have 20 questions in a true/false, multiple choice format. PLEASE NOTE: Any individual scoring less than 80% on the written exam will be required to re-take the exam at a later date.

To register for an exam session, please contact the ARC staff at (310) 206-6308 or refer to Section F below. PLEASE NOTE: The deadline to register for a certification exam is 5:00 pm on the day PRIOR to the scheduled session.

2. SPECIES-SPECIFIC TRAINING

Species-specific training is required for each species a trainee will be handling and is accomplished by participating in a species-specific training session with the Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DLAM). You may complete species-specific training with DLAM either before or after you take the written exam. To register for species-specific training, please refer to the following information:

  1. Mice and Rats
    Participants who will be working with mice and/or rats must attend a handling and techniques wet lab conducted by DLAM. The class will begin with the viewing of a brief video followed by a discussion of topics such as recognition of pain and distress and proper euthanasia techniques. Rodent users will have an opportunity to learn how to safely handle and restrain these animals and will learn how to perform techniques such as giving injections and collecting blood. As of April 2008, the Rodent Users Wet Lab has been split into separate wet labs for mouse and rat users.

    To register for the Mouse or Rat Users Wet Labs, please use DLAM's Online Enrollment system.  Mouse users must complete an online training module prior to enrolling in the wet lab.  For further information and to download materials for the lab, please visit the DLAM website.

  2. Species other than mice or rats
    Participants requiring species-specific training for species other than mice and rats must contact Carmen Bryant Volpe (cbryant@mednet.ucla.edu or 310-267-2842) at DLAM.

  3. Exceptions
    Species-specific training is not required for fish, reptiles, birds, and amphibians OTHER than frogs; the Principal Investigator is required to provide training for these excluded species.  Other exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

C. Training in Aseptic Surgical Techniques

In addition to completing the written exam and species-specific training, personnel who will be involved with survival surgery procedures on mammals or birds are required to participate in an aseptic surgical techniques class administered by DLAM. This session begins with the viewing of a short video and a discussion on the importance and major points of aseptic surgery. Proper preparation of the surgeon, surgical instruments, and the animal patient will be emphasized during the hands-on portion of the class.

To register for the Aseptic Surgical Techniques Lab, please use DLAM's Online Enrollment system. For further information and to download materials for the lab, please visit the DLAM website.



Frequently Asked Questions


E. Exam Session Schedule

NOTE! Schedules are subject to change. To register for one of the following exam sessions, see Section F below. PLEASE NOTE: The deadline to register for a certification exam is 5:00 pm on the day PRIOR to the scheduled session.

ARC exam sessions are held in the Kinross Building, located at 11000 Kinross Ave. (just west of Gayley Ave. and adjacent to Lot 36).  A campus map is available by clicking here.  Please check in with the building receptionist upon your arrival.

Please allow approximately 90 minutes for the session, which includes a 30-minute introductory lecture followed by a one-hour exam period.

Registrants will be taken to the exam room promptly at the time noted in your registration email.  As such, please note that late arrivals will not be admitted.

DATE DAY TIME DATE DAY TIME
July 29, 2008 Tuesday 1 pm Sep. 9, 2008 Tuesday 10 am
Aug. 8, 2008 Friday 1 pm   Sep. 19, 2008 Friday 1 pm
Aug. 19, 2008 Tuesday 10 am   Oct. 1, 2008 Wednesday 10 am
Aug. 29, 2008 Friday 2 pm  



F. Exam Session Registration

Research personnel can sign-up for the exam session either by e-mail (arc@oprs.ucla.edu), fax (310-794-9565), or phone (310-206-6308). PLEASE NOTE: Seats are limited, so register early. In addition, the deadline to register for a certification exam is 5:00 pm on the day PRIOR to the scheduled session.

Please include the following information in your registration request:
  1. first and last name
  2. the principal investigator(s) with whom you will work (if you are the PI, indicate such)
  3. the species you will handle
  4. daytime phone number
  5. email address
  6. the date of the exam session you wish to attend (see Section E above for a list of exam dates)
Failure to provide any of the above information may result in a delay in your registration.

Please notify the ARC office in advance if you are unable to attend your scheduled certification session.  Repeated no-shows may be denied a confirmed seat and may be placed on a waiting list instead.


G. Additional Animal User Requirements

In addition to completing the certification exam, species-specific training, and aseptic surgical techniques training (if applicable), please note that you will also need to complete the following requirements prior to conducting animal research:
  1. Medical History Questionnaire Form
    The     UCLA Medical History Questionnaire for Investigators, Technicians, Students and All Others Exposed to Laboratory Animals, must be completed by all investigators and personnel who are listed in an ARC protocol. In accordance with University Policy, completion of this form is mandatory for all personnel having contact with research animals or animal tissues and all personnel who have a security key card or key to enter the vivarium. Please note that the MHQ must be submitted to the Occupational Health Facility on an ANNUAL basis.

    Forms can be completed online at the above address.  If you have questions regarding the form, please contact OHF at (310) 825-6771.

  2. Addition as Personnel
    The ARC must have record of all personnel working under animal research protocols. If you are not listed as personnel under your principal investigator's ARC protocol, he/she will need to submit an amendment for change in personnel to the ARC in order to officially add you to his/her list of animal users. This amendment can be submitted via the online Research Application Tracking System (RATS).