US NRC Substance Abuse Expert Qualification Renewal

Description:  (Updated April 2024) The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and commercial nuclear power industry have published regulations about the potential public health and safety impacts of fitness-for-duty (FFD) problems at nuclear power plants and other facilities that handle nuclear material. Licensees are required to implement programs to address FFD problems including illegal drug use, alcohol abuse, misuse of legal drugs, and any other mental or physical problems that could impair job performance. The events of 9/11 also highlighted a need to strengthen the N.R.C. requirements for granting unescorted access to protected and vital areas in nuclear facilities. These changes in the context within which the nuclear industry operated, and others, resulted in a very long and complex rulemaking process that produced the new rule. The new rule, (10 C.F.R. Part 26) outlines responsibilities for Substance Abuse Experts who provide substance abuse assessments as part of the fitness-for-duty program. Licensees were responsible for implementing the relevant sections that affect SAEs by March 31, 2010. This renewal study includes material concerning new technologies, interpretations, recent guidance, rule changes, and other information about developments in SAE practice and includes documented assessment tools (posttest examination and course evaluation) to assist in determining that the SAE has learned the material.

Renewal requirements:  Eligible professionals* who wish to renew their qualification as Substance Abuse Experts (SAEs) must meet continuing education requirements. To be eligible to re-qualify to perform substance abuse evaluations for employees, who violate N.R.C. drug and alcohol prohibitions, Substance Abuse Experts must obtain 12 professional development hours relevant to the US N.R.C. FFD program.

*Eligible professionals include licensed physicians, licensed or certified social workers, licensed or certified psychologists, licensed or certified employee assistance professionals, or an alcohol and drug abuse counselor certified by the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) Certification Commission or by the International Certification Reciprocity Consortium/Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (ICRC).  No CE for professinal license renewal is available for physicians or psychologists.  Both these disciplines may take this course to qualify as an SAE, the CE awarded here is applicable to that qualification.

CE Credits:  12 (NBCC Hours - 12)