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Research

Training for Laboratory Animal Users

All individuals working with live vertebrate animals must complete the required training before handling any animals. Training requirements vary based on role and level of supervision. Clicking on the course title below will automatically register you for that course and take you to the appropriate webpage. 

PIs, Unsupervised Staff, and Unsupervised Students

Supervised Students Working in the Laboratory
Required Coursework
Optional CITI Course work required if applicable -
PIs are responsible for determining and communicating which optional modules are required for protocol personnel

 Additional optional courses can be found here.

Required SOP Review

In addition to CITI coursework, the following documents must be reviewed:

  • Occupational Health and Safety: Working with Laboratory, Wild, and Wild‑Caught Animals
  • Departmental Emergency Response Plan
  • All other relevant SOPs, including (as applicable): 
    • Mouse Breeding Colonies
    • Non‑Pharmaceutical Grade Compounds
    • Protocol Review
Access to SOPs
  • PIs and staff: Available on the Microsoft Teams site
  • Students: SOPs must be requested from the PI
Training Records
  • Each PI, instructor, or manager is responsible for maintaining training records
  • Records must be available for review by the IACUC upon request

Students working with animals only under the direct supervision of a PI or approved personnel must complete a shortened CITI training course before handling animals.

Required Training
Online Coursework
Verification
Records
  • Students must provide proof of training completion to the PI or instructor
  • PIs and instructors are responsible for maintaining all training records
  • Records may be requested by the IACUC at any time
Support

Training authenticity may be verified through Research Ethics & Compliance (REC):

Completion Documentation

Once all the required courses have been passed, a copy of each of the Coursework Requirements Reports should be printed, uploaded to your protocol in Cayuse IACUC. Staff and students should also provide a copy to the PI. To print or save:

  • Go to the main menu of CITI,
  • Find the column entitled Completion Report,
  • Click on Print Report across from each of the courses.

Each Coursework Requirements Report contains a unique reference number as well as an expiration date that provides proof of training completion. REC may be contacted at (309) 438-2529 or at REC@IllinoisState.edu to verify the authenticity of CITI Coursework Requirements Reports.

Please note that falsification of CITI training completion reports is a violation of ISU's Research Integrity Policy, and if discovered, will be responded to accordingly.