Training for Field Animal Users

PIs, Unsupervised Staff, and Unsupervised Students

Supervised (Dependent) Students Working with Field Animals

Required Coursework for PIs, Staff, and Unsupervised Students

• Field Animal Users for PI’s, Staff and Unsupervised Students
• Zoonosis and Working Safely with Animals Training

The basic course is valid for five years. Upon expiration, individuals must complete the applicable CITI refresher course. CITI should automatically enroll users in the refresher course when it becomes due.

Optional CITI Course Work required if applicable
PIs are responsible for providing protocol-specific training and determining which optional CITI modules are required for protocol personnel.

• Working with Fish in Research Settings
• Working with Amphibians in Research Settings

Additional optional CITI courses can be found here.

Required SOP Review

In addition to the above-mentioned coursework, the following documents must be reviewed:

• Occupational Health and Safety: Working with Laboratory, Wild, and Wild‑Caught Animals
• Reporting Adverse Events for Laboratory or Field Research
• All other relevant SOPs applicable to the role of the individual and activities being performed, including (as applicable):
  • Non‑Pharmaceutical Grade Compounds
  • Animal Care and Use Program: Roles and Responsibilities
  • Animal Care and Use Study Review Process
  • Roles and Responsibilities of the Principal Investigators and Their Research Teams

Please refer to the Vertebrate Animal Care and Use Training SOP for a comprehensive list of all applicable SOPs.

Access to SOPs

• PIs and staff: SOPs are available on the designated Microsoft Teams channel
• Students: SOPs must be requested directly from the PI

Training Records

• Each PI, instructor, or manager is responsible for maintaining all required training records.
• Training records must be readily available for review by the IACUC upon request.

Students who work with animals under the direct supervision of the PI or approved personnel must complete the following:  

• Field Animal Users for Supervised Students
• Zoonosis and Working Safely with Animals training

Completion Documentation

Once all the required courses have been completed:

• A copy of each of the Completion Certificates must be provided to the PI
• Certificates must be available for IACUC inspection during the semi-annual inspections

Instructions to Access Completion Certificates in CITI

• Log in to your CITI account,
• Click “View Courses”,
• Click the yellow box “View-Print- Share Record”,
• Click “View/Print” for the Completion Certificate
• Download your certificate

Each Completion Certificate includes:

• A unique reference number
• An expiration date

These elements serve as official proof of training completion.