Initial IACUC Training is a requirement for everyone working with live vertebrate animals at the University of Connecticut in accordance with the policies and guidelines set forth in the “Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals” (PHS 1986), the “Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals” (ILAR 2011), the USDA Animal Welfare Regulations (CFR 1985) and the “Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching.”
Retraining is required for faculty PIs on a triennial basis (once every three years). All other animal users (staff, post-doctoral fellows, graduate students and undergraduates) must complete IACUC retraining on an annual basis.
The University’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) requires that all faculty, staff and students who work with live vertebrate animals attend an initial IACUC training session. This will provide an overview of federal, state and University regulations, policies and procedures as well as general information related to the care and use of animals at the University.
UPDATE – January 30, 2026
The IACUC is currently updating the initial training and format to facilitate more timely completion by researchers. Until this updated online training is available, all new researchers must complete the “Working with the IACUC” Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Program course (www.citiprogram.org).
Instructions for CITI:
- Log in to the CITI program site (citiprogram.org) user your Institutional login credentials. You must select “Log In Through My Institution” and “UConn – Storrs & Regional Campuses”, and then enter your NetID and password.
- Select “My Courses” and scroll down towards the bottom of the page and click on “Add a Course”.
- Chek the box for “Animal Care and Use” courses.
- Select and complete the “Working with the IACUC” course.
- Other courses are optional and can be completed to fulfill the annual refresher training requirement (see below).
NOTE: IACUC Staff are automatically notified of completion of CITI courses. Thus, you do not need to email your completion certificate to the IACUC office. However, please contact the office with any questions (iacuc@uconn.edu).
Retraining Options
The IACUC requires retraining for all animal users. Animal users must complete one of the following retraining options in order to receive approval for continued animal use:
- Completion of an animal subjects CITI course. Currently, the course modules that will qualify for researcher retraining include (see above for CITI instructions and in step 4, select a course option below):
- UConn IACUC, A Review
- Working with the IACUC
- Essentials for IACUC Members
- Post-Procedure Care of Mice and Rats in Research
- Working with Amphibians in Research Settings
- Working with Fish in Research Settings
- Working with Mice in Research Settings
- Working with Rats in Research Settings
- Working with Gerbils in Research Settings
- Working with Hamsters in Research Settings
- Working with Guinea Pigs in Research Settings
- Working with Rabbits in Research Settings
- Working with Cats in Research Settings
- Working with Dogs in Research Settings
- Working with Swine in Research Settings
- Working with Non-Human Primates in Research Settings
- Working with Zebrafish (Danio rerio) in Research
- Wildlife Research
- Working with Reptiles in a Research Setting
- Documented attendance at a special seminar session offered by the IACUC office or Animal Care Services. Note: For a session to qualify as IACUC retraining, it must be indicated and approved as such by the IACUC office prior to attendance.
- Documented attendance at a training session offered by a recognized scientific society or organization that addresses animal use in research and/or animal welfare concerns. Note: For a session to qualify as IACUC retraining, it must be indicated and approved as such by the IACUC office prior to attendance.