Obtaining & Maintaining Clearances to Work With Vertebrate Animals at OU
Step 1: Complete Training Requirements
Animal users must complete IACUC training requirements. This includes Principal Investigators, faculty, staff, students, volunteers, and visitors who plan to work with animals through the University of Oklahoma, Norman Campus.
New users must first create a profile in the AALAS Learning Library under the University of Oklahoma (OUHSC) Group. Contact IACUC@ou.edu to request sign-up instructions and the access code.
The following table can be used to determine which training courses are required for each user based on their species involvement.
Animal Category |
Initial Training Course |
Refresher Training Every 3 Years |
All Animal Users |
Working with the IACUC |
Working with the IACUC |
Mice (Mus spp.) |
Working with the IACUC Introduction to Mice |
Working with the IACUC Introduction to Mice |
Rats (Rattus spp.) |
Working with the IACUC Introduction to Rats |
Working with the IACUC Introduction to Rats |
| Birds | Working with the IACUC Introduction to Birds Common Compliance Issues |
Working with the IACUC Introduction to Birds Common Compliance Issues |
Chinchillas |
Working with the IACUC Introduction to Chinchillas Common Compliance Issues |
Working with the IACUC Introduction to Chinchillas Common Compliance Issues |
Amphibians and Reptiles |
Working with the IACUC Introduction to Amphibians |
Working with the IACUC Introduction to Amphibians |
Fish |
Working with the IACUC Introduction to Fish |
Working with the IACUC Introduction to Fish |
Wild Mammals |
Working with the IACUC Introduction to Wildlife Common Compliance Issues |
Working with the IACUC Introduction to Wildlife Common Compliance Issues |
Each user is permitted only one profile in the AALAS Learning Library. If a user forgets their password, contact IACUC@ou.edu for assistance. Do NOT attempt to create multiple profiles within the AALAS Learning Library.
Users with an existing profile under a different Group on the AALAS Learning Library may transfer their profile to the University of Oklahoma (OUHSC) Group. Contact IACUC@ou.edu for more information.
Step 2: Participate in the Occupational Health & Safety Program
Animal users must complete an Animal Handler's Health Questionnaire (AHQ). This includes Principal Investigators, faculty, staff, students, volunteers, and visitors who plan to work with animals through the University of Oklahoma, Norman Campus.
All users must submit an AHQ form at least once every 3 years.
Instructions for completing the Questionnaire are included in the form. Download a copy of the form below, complete all applicable questions, and submit the completed version using the contact information included in the instructions.
For questions regarding the AHQ, see our FAQ page.
Animal Handler's Health Questionnaire (docx)
Visitors from another institution may provide proof of enrollment from their home institution in lieu of completing an AHQ. Visitors should submit documentation from their home institution to IACUC@ou.edu for review. If approved, documentation must be updated at least once annually.
Step 3: Join an Animal Protocol
Animal users must be listed as either a Principal Investigator or a Protocol Participant on an active animal protocol in order to work with animals through the University of Oklahoma.
The Principal Investigator may submit an Amendment to add or remove Participants to an existing Animal Protocol, or they may include Participants in a new Animal Protocol submission. Neither Investigators nor Participants will be approved to work with animals until Steps 1 and 2 above are complete.
All users must wait for documentation of IACUC approval before working with animals. Principal Investigators and Participants must read the approved protocol and familiarize themselves with all of the activities described.
