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Training Requirements
Under Singapore's regulations, RCULA (Responsible Care and Use of Laboratory Animals) training is a requirement for all animal users in research. RCULA is required for all types of animals except fish. Both theory and practical components must be completed to be awarded the RCULA certificate. The RCUF (Responsible Care and Use of Fish) certificate is required for research personnel who will be working with fish in their protocols.
- In very exceptional cases, PIs who are not involved in the manipulation or care of animals may apply for a waiver of the practical training component for IACUC’s consideration. However, a co-I with full certification and who has sufficient experience with the procedures described in the application must be added to the study. Such co-Is can be faculty or research fellows.
- If a practical RCULA course is not offered on the species you intend to work with, appropriate work experience with the relevant species must be mentioned in the AUP submission.
- All animal users should complete a theory refresher session every 5 years.
- All animal users with a hands-on practice lapse of 2 or more years should attend hands-on refresher training or assessment of competency. The hands-on refresher training can be provided by either a senior experienced member of the research group, or the ARF veterinarians, whereas the assessment of competency can only be conducted by ARF veterinarians. The hands-on refresher training records and/or the outcome of competency assessment is to be reported to NTU-IACUC for documentation.
- Visiting personnel who will be part of an active AUP must meet the training requirements outlined in the table below:
| Duration Of Involvement In NTU-IACUC Protocol | Required Documentation |
| 3 months | 1) RCULA theory certification 2) Practical training certification equivalent to the local RCULA / RCUF course detailing practical training conducted and species trained on 3) Summary of past animal work |
| 3 months | In addition to items (1) to (3) listed above, personnel are granted 3 months from start of work on an IACUC protocol to complete the local practical RCULA / RCUF course. |
NTU offers the online RCULA / RCUF theory course and the hands-on practical training component of these courses, as summarised below. For further details on the course and pricing, please contact NTU ARF.
| Certification | Training Offered | Pre-requisite |
| RCULA | 1) RCULA Theory 2) RCULA Practical | Users must complete the RCULA theory online course offered by NTU prior to registering for NTU's RCULA practical class. Proof of theory certification must be provided for registration. |
| RCUF | 1) RCUF Theory 2) RCUF Practical | Fish users are to complete the RCUF theory course in NTU, prior to registering for NTU's RCUF practical class. Proof of theory certification must be provided for registration. |
| Recertification (every 5 years) | 1) RCULA Theory Refresher 2) RCUF Theory Refresher | Participants must have completed the full RCULA/RCUF theory course. |
RCULA Practical Sessions from January to June 2025.
| Month | Date | Time |
| January | 14th January | 1:00pm - 5.30pm |
| February | 11th February | 1:00pm - 5.30pm |
| February | 25th February | 1:00pm - 5.30pm |
| March | 11th March | 1:00pm - 5.30pm |
| March | 25th March | 1:00pm - 5.30pm |
| April | 8thApril | 1:00pm - 5.30pm |
| April | 22ndApril | 1:00pm - 5.30pm |
| May | 13th May | 1:00pm - 5.30pm |
| May | 27th May | 1:00pm - 5.30pm |
| June | 10th June | 1:00pm - 5.30pm |
| June | 24th June | 1:00pm - 5.30pm |
Notes:
- Subject to exigencies, there might be changes to the dates and participants would be informed beforehand of the change in date for the hands-on session.
- There is a limit to the number of participants for each session. Scheduling of the hands-on session will be based on whoever completes the RCULA theory online course first.
- Please note that ALL hands-on session will take place at NTU Novena (details of the venue will be provided via email). Therefore, please plan your schedule accordingly and refer to NTU website for the NTU-LKCMedicine shuttle bus services between NTU Nanyang and NTU Novena.(https://entuedu.sharepoint.com/sites/Student/dept/ocas/SitePages/NTU-LKCMedicine-Shuttle-Buses.aspx)
RCULA Refresher Course Modules
| RCULA Theory Refresher | RCUF Theory Refresher |
| Working with the IACUC | Working with the IACUC |
| Working with the Laboratory Mouse | Working with the Laboratory Zebrafish |
External Animal Users can either complete NTU’s full RCULA/RCUF Theory course, or the RCULA/RCUF Theory Refresher course when due for recertification. The fees for either the Full or Refresher courses are $165.25 each (with GST included). Please contact NTU ARF ([email protected]) to register for the desired course.
Once you have completed the course requirements, please download the completion transcript and send it to NTU-ARF. A completion certificate will then be sent to your email address.