Answer to Question #4023 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

I am trying to find out about the experience requirements for an instant SRO (Senior Reactor Operator). If an individual has a master’s degree in electrical engineering, what are his plant experience requirements per ANSI/ANS-3.1-1993? I have read in the Nuclear Regulatory Guide 1.8 and NUREG 1021 that the experience requirement for an instant SRO is three years, but experience is granted for academic time. Does the six-year engineering time cut the SRO experience time down to less that three years?

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) Regulatory Guide 1.8, Revision 3, states that experience for an instant Senior Reactor Operator is three years of responsible nuclear-plant experience, of which a maximum of two years can be achieved via training. In addition, NRC Regulatory Guide 1.8, Revision 2, requires four years of power-plant experience of which a maximum of two years can be achieved via training.

Also, the Institute of Nuclear Power Operation (INPO) document ACAD 00-03 Revision 1 requires three years of responsible nuclear plant experience of which a maximum of two years can be achieved via training.

If you need additional specific information regarding further qualifications, I recommend contacting the NRC further.

Cynthia G. Jones, PhD