To become an Authorized User (AU), an individual must first enroll in the Radiation Safety for Authorized Users (RSAU) course. This three and a half day course is held twice a year (depending on the needs of the research community). Contact the Training Coordinator at
301-496-2255 to learn the dates of the next scheduled course. After attending and successfully passing the course, the individual must also complete and submit the form NIH 465-1 "Application for Radionuclide Authorization" for review. Final approval by the Radiation Safety Committee is required to become an Authorized User.

The RSAU course is held from Wednesday through Friday, with a final exam on the following Monday. It includes lectures, interactive demonstrations, quizzes, homework, and a final exam.

If you were an AU prior to leaving the NIH, and/or have been inactive for less than four years, you can become re-authorized upon your return or reactivated as an AU by simply completing and submitting revised NIH 465-1 and dosimeter evaluation forms. It is also recommended that you take the online Authorized Users review training. If you have been inactive for more than four years, you must retake the Radiation Safety in the Laboratory course and reapply for authorization by completing and submitting revised NIH 465-1 and dosimeter evaluation forms. It is also recommended that you take the online Authorized Users review training; however, you are not required to attend the RSAU class, but encouraged to do so if you have been away from NIH or inactive for a number of years.