January 2, 2014 

MEMORANDUM TO: Michael Junge, Chief 

 Operator Licensing and Human Performance Branch 

 Division of Construction, Inspection 

 & Operational Programs 

 Office of New Reactors 

FROM: James Kellum, Senior Reactor Engineer /RA/

 Operator Licensing and Human Performance Branch 

 Division of Construction, Inspection 

 & Operational Programs 

 Office of New Reactors 

SUBJECT: SUMMARY OF DECEMBER 17, 2013, PUBLIC MEETING WITH 

 AP-1000 OWNERS GROUP ON NEW REACTOR OPERATOR 

 LICENSING 

On December 17, 2013, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff held a category 2 

public meeting with the AP-1000 Owners Group (APOG) on New Reactor Operator Licensing at 

the NRC Region II Offices in Atlanta, GA to discuss the ongoing issues, challenges and 

concerns to administering licensed operator examinations for new AP-1000 units. Enclosure 1 

lists the attendees at the meeting. Enclosure 2 is the meeting agenda. 

The NRC staff discussed with the APOG the future examination schedule and potential issues 

to completing the exams. One of the biggest factors that may affect the scheduled exams is 

plant reference simulator (PRS) development. Both APOG and Westinghouse personnel 

discussed actions they are taking to have the PRS available when needed to support the exam 

schedule. The NRC staff reiterated that scheduling for operator examinations is done well in 

advance and affects not only new reactors but the examination schedule for the operating plants 

as well. The industry is continuously evaluating the examination schedule and will inform the 

NRC as far in advance as possible of any required schedule adjustments. The industry 

proposed the number of applicants for the operating exam to exceed 24 candidates. The NRC 

staff does not believe more than 24 candidates in one exam is feasible but agreed to evaluate 

an industry provided schedule. 

Possible methods of conducting Job Performance Measures (JPMs) were discussed, including 

3D models and labs, since a significant portion of plant equipment may not yet be installed 

when the first exams are given. However, with the first scheduled exam now being moved from 

December of 2014 to May of 2015, there will be more systems available in plant for selection of 

these test items. The NRC staff is currently evaluating options for conducting the required three 

in plant JPMs. It was also reiterated by the NRC staff that the in-plant JPMs are part of the 

operational test and will be required to complete that portion of the examination. 

CONTACT: Jim Kellum, NRO/DCIP 

 (301) 415-5305
M. Junge - 2 - 

It was stated by the NRC staff that the revision (Rev. 10) to NUREG-1021, Operator Licensing 

Examination Standard for Power Reactors is drafted and out for public comment. The public 

comment period ends on February 6, 2014. After this comment period, all comments will be 

reviewed and incorporated if appropriate. 

The NRC staff and APOG discussed inspection of the differences training for candidates 

licensed before fuel load and plant startup (Gap Training). It is expected that this evaluation will 

be similar to a requalification inspection. NRC staff observations of the INPO accreditation 

follow-up visit to Summer 2 & 3 were discussed which included cold license requirements and 

robustness of requalification programs. 

The next quarterly meeting is tentatively scheduled for February 19, 2014, at NRC Region II 

Offices in Atlanta, GA. 

Action items for both the industry and the NRC were assigned and will be reviewed at the next 

meeting. Tentative agenda items for the next meeting were also listed. 

Questions and comments raised by meeting participants will be evaluated by the NRC staff. 

Enclosures: 

As stated 
M. Junge - 2 - 

It was stated by the NRC staff that the revision (Rev. 10) to NUREG-1021, Operator Licensing 

Examination Standard for Power Reactors is drafted and out for public comment. The public 

comment period ends on February 6, 2014. After this comment period, all comments will be 

reviewed and incorporated if appropriate. 

The NRC staff and APOG discussed inspection of the differences training for candidates 

licensed before fuel load and plant startup (Gap Training). It is expected that this evaluation will 

be similar to a requalification inspection. NRC staff observations of the INPO accreditation 

follow-up visit to Summer 2 & 3 were discussed which included cold license requirements and 

robustness of requalification programs. 

The next quarterly meeting is tentatively scheduled for February 19, 2014, at NRC Region II 

Offices in Atlanta, GA. 

Action items for both the industry and the NRC were assigned and will be reviewed at the next 

meeting. Tentative agenda items for the next meeting were also listed. 

Questions and comments raised by meeting participants will be evaluated by the NRC staff. 

Enclosures: 

As stated 

DISTRIBUTION: 

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ADAMS Accession Number: ML14002A163 NRO-002 

OFFICE NRO/DCIP/COLP NRO/DCIP/COLP 

NAME JKellum MJunge 

DATE 01/2/2014 01/2/2014 

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SRutledge, TTC 

JKellum, NRO 

SCochrum, TTC 

REgli, TTC 

 

Charles Sawyer (charles.sawyer@duke-energy.com) 
 ENCLOSURE 1 

NRC/APOG AP-1000 OWNERS GROUP ON 

NEW REACTOR OPERATOR LICENSING 

December 17, 2013 

Name Organization 

Gene Guthrie NRC / R-II 

Dan Bacon NRC / R-II 

Jim Kellum NRC / NRO 

J. Amanda Toth NRC/ R-II 

Ken Schaaf NRC / R-II 

Charles Sawyer Duke Energy 

Tom Kuhar Westinghouse 

Jason Weathersby SCE & G

Mike Junge NRC / NRO 

Mark Verbeck Southern Nuclear 

Charlie Nesbitt SCE & G 

Bob Hirmanpour Southern Nuclear 

Leon Ray Southern Nuclear 

Paul Hippley Westinghouse 

Melinda Bogart GEH 

Wes Sparkman Southern Nuclear 

Terry McCool FPL 

Thomas Ray Westinghouse 

Scott Egli NRC / TTC 

Al Harris SCE & G 

Neil Constance SCE & G 

Ben Howard Southern Nuclear 

Mark Bates NRC/ R-II 

Michael Meeks NRC / R-II 

Phil Capehart NRC/ R-II 

Andreas Goldau NRC / R-II 

Keith Pope SCE & G 

Paul Mothena SCE & G 

Tim Dennis Public 
ENCLOSURE 2 

AGENDA FOR THE CATEGORY 2 PUBLIC MEETING WITH THE 

AP1000 OWNERS GROUP ON NEW REACTOR OPERATOR LICENSING 

Tuesday, December 17, 2013 

8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 

Nuclear Regulatory Commission 

Marquis One Tower, 

Conference Room RII-1486-32p (14th floor) 

245 Peachtree Center Avenue N.E. 

Atlanta, GA 30303 

 

TOPIC LEAD 

Introductions and opening remarks NRC 

Public input Public 

• Written exam 

- Schedule NRC/APOG 

- How to address differences in conduct of operations 

for simulator exams NRC/APOG 

- Potential differences in written questions due 

to admin procedures NRC/APOG 

- Exam Security NRC/APOG 

• Simulator 

- Status – schedule changes APOG 

- Discuss procedures and how much to observe of FAT 

and HFE V & V APOG 

- Overview of 8/20 Cranberry meeting NRC/APOG 

- Simulator inspection NRC 

- Schedule NRC/APOG 

- Core model for reactivity manipulations: clean core 

(no Xe or Sm)? NRC/APOG 

• Licenses Amendment Request and ISV (W. Sparkman) APOG 

• JPMs – in-plant system availability / alternate methods, etc.
- 2 - 

- Region II review of Greenville virtual capabilities NRC 

• Discuss Summer Ops accreditation follow-up visit NRC/APOG 

- 240 hour cold license requirement NRC 

- Requal program NRC 

• Review waiver paper NRC/APOG 

• Ensure alignment on GAP training/inspection APOG 

• NUREG 1021 revision status update NRC 

Miscellaneous/Emergent topics NRC/APOG 

Public input Public 

Summary / Conclusion / Action item review NRO