NRC INSPECTION MANUAL NMSS/FCSS

MANUAL CHAPTER 1247 APPENDIX B

GENERAL PROFICIENCY-LEVEL 

TRAINING AND QUALIFICATION JOURNAL
Issue Date: 06/11/14 i 1247 Appendox B

Table of Contents

Introduction................................................................................................................................ 1

Required General Proficiency Training Courses......................................................................... 1

Individual Study Guides ............................................................................................................. 2

(SG-General-1) Quality Assurance Program................................................................... 3

(SG-General-2) Corrective Action Program .................................................................... 5

(SG-General-3) Technical and Regulatory Issues .......................................................... 7

(SG-General-4) Safety Culture ....................................................................................... 9

On-the-Job Training Activity......................................................................................................11

(OJT-General-1) Emergency Drill/Exercise Observation................................................12

(OJT-General-2) Classification Guides ..........................................................................14

General Proficiency-Level Signature Card and Certification......................................................15

Form 1: General Proficiency-Level Equivalency Justification....................................................16

Attachment 1.......................................................................................................................Att1-1
Issue Date: 06/11/14 1 1247 Appendix B

Introduction

You may complete the General Proficiency requirements together with the Technical Proficiency 

requirements for your specific inspector classification. You may begin the Technical Proficiency 

requirements before you complete Basic Inspector Qualification at your Supervisor’s discretion. 

Required General Proficiency Training Courses

 Effective Communication for NRC Inspectors 

 Gathering Information for Inspectors through Interviews

 Media Training Workshop

 G-205, Root Cause/Incident Investigation Workshop

 G-103, Field Techniques and Regulatory Processes

Before signing up for any course, be sure that you have checked and have met any 

prerequisites.

All inspector types except Security and MC&A must complete the following General

Proficiency Training:

 F-102S, General HP Practices for Fuel Cycle Facilities

 F-204S, Uranium Enrichment Processes

 P-404, Hazards Analysis (ISA)

 P-400, Introduction to Risk Assessment in NMSS

General Proficiency Individual Study Activities

The individual study guides (SGs) are designed to direct and focus your efforts as you begin 

reviewing documents that will be important to the performance of your job. Each study activity 

begins with a purpose statement informing you of why the activity is important and how it 

relates to the job of an inspector. The level of effort has been noted so that you have an idea 

of how much effort should be expended in completing the activity. (Of course, the times are 

estimates. You may need a little more or a little less time.) The evaluation criteria are listed 

up front so that you will review them first and better understand what you are expected to 

achieve as a result of completing the activity. Use the evaluation criteria to help you focus on 

what is most important. The tasks outline the things you must do to successfully address the 

evaluation criteria. 
Issue Date: 06/11/14 2 1247 Appendix B

General Proficiency 

Individual Study Guides
Issue Date: 06/11/14 3 1247 Appendix B

General Proficiency Individual Study Guide

TOPIC: (SG-General-1) Quality Assurance Program

PURPOSE: This activity will provide you with a working knowledge of the contents of 

quality assurance (QA) programs and program requirements at fuel 

facilities and will provide you with general knowledge of the contents of 

Appendix B of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 50 (10 

CFR 50), “Quality Assurance Criteria for Nuclear Power Plants and Fuel 

Reprocessing Plants,” to 10 CFR Part 50, “Domestic Licensing of 

Production and Utilization Facilities,” industry standards, and the 

associated licensee programs and documents that collectively establish 

the basis for the licensee’s QA program. 

COMPETENCY 

AREAS: INSPECTION

REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

LEVEL 

OF EFFORT: 12 hours

REFERENCES:

1. 10 CFR 70.64(a)(1), “Quality Standards and Records”

2. 10 CFR 70.62(d), “Management Measures” 

3. NUREG-1520, “Standard Review Plan for the Review of a License 

Application for a Fuel Cycle Facility,” Sections 2, and 11

4. ASME NQA-1-2004, “Quality Assurance Requirements for Nuclear 

Facility Applications”

5. Licensee QA program documentation

6. Appendix B to 10 CFR 50

7. Regulatory Guide 1.33, “Quality Assurance Program Requirements” 

(ML003739995)

EVALUATION

CRITERIA: At the completion of this guide, you should be able to do the following:

1. Discuss the content of 10 CFR 70, Subpart H and NUREG-1520 

elements related to management measures.

2. Describe the relationship between the plant license, the license 

application, the safety evaluation report (where applicable), the plant 
Issue Date: 06/11/14 4 1247 Appendix B

technical safety requirements, and the Integrated Safety Analysis 

(ISA) Summary. 

3. Discuss the general content of Appendix B to 10 CFR Part 50 and 

the 18 criteria contained in the appendix. 

4. Outline the key elements of an effective QA program, and the 

licensee’s implementation of those elements at your reference site.

TASKS: 1. Review and discuss 10 CFR 70, Subpart H sections related to 

management measures with your supervisor or a qualified 

inspector, and communicate an understanding of their content and 

application filed inspections.

2. Review ASME NQA-1-2004. Find where the license application, 

Technical Safety Requirements (TSR), ISA Summary, QA plan, and 

plant license address QA. Review a licensee QA program and the 

implementing procedures. 

3. At a site, gain a general understanding of the licensee’s QA 

program through a combination of discussions with a qualified 

resident inspector and review of assessments/reports prepared by 

the licensee QA organization. 

4. Outline key elements of an effective QA program, and the licensee’s 

implementation of those elements at your reference site.

5. Meet with your supervisor or a qualified inspector to discuss any 

questions that you may have as a result of this activity and 

demonstrate that you can meet the evaluation criteria listed above.

DOCUMENTATION: General Proficiency Qualification Signature Card Item SG-General-1
Issue Date: 06/11/14 5 1247 Appendix B

General Proficiency Individual Study Guide

TOPIC: (SG-General-2) Corrective Action Program

PURPOSE: This guide will provide you with a working knowledge of the licensee 

programs and documents that were established to meet the 

requirements for an effective problem identification and corrective action 

program, as outlined in a license application or TSRs.

COMPETENCY 

AREA: INSPECTION

LEVEL 

OF EFFORT: 20 hours

REFERENCES: 1. Inspection Procedure (IP) 88005, “Management Organization and 

Controls,” Sections 02.04 and 03.04.

2. Inspection Procedure (IP) 88XXX, “Corrective Action Program 

Implementation for Fuel Cycle Facilities”

3. 10 CFR Part 70.62(a), “Safety Program”

4. Site-specific documents that describe the licensee’s corrective 

action program.

5. NUREG-1520, “Standard Review Plan for the Review of a License 

Application for a Fuel Cycle Facility,” Section 11.3.5, “Audits and 

Assessments.”

EVALUATION

CRITERIA: At the completion of this guide, you should be able to do the following:

1. Discuss the principle steps in your reference site’s corrective action 

program (CAP) with respect to identification of a condition adverse 

to quality through its final resolution.

TASKS: 1. For your reference site, gain a general understanding of the

licensee’s CAP through a combination of discussions with a

qualified resident inspector and attendance at routine CAP

meetings.

2 Using the appropriate IP ( i.e. 88005 the Corrective Action Program 

Implementation for Fuel Cycle Facilites IP) for guidance, review a 
Issue Date: 06/11/14 6 1247 Appendix B

sample of about six issues entered into the licensee’s CAP within 

the past month and compare the licensee’s actions with regulatory 

requirements. Discuss the resolution of the issues with a qualified 

inspector or resident inspector. This review should include the 

resolution of potential operability issues, if available. 

3. Meet with your supervisor or the person designated as a resource to 

discuss any questions that you may have as a result of this activity 

and demonstrate that you can meet the evaluation criteria listed 

above.

DOCUMENTATION: General Proficiency Qualification Signature Card Item SG-General-2
Issue Date: 06/11/14 7 1247 Appendix B

General Proficiency Individual Study Guide

TOPIC: (SG-General-3) Technical and Regulatory Issues

PURPOSE: This guide will familiarize you with various topics of interest that have 

proven problematic in the past at fuel facilities. 

COMPETENCY 

AREA: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

INSPECTION

LEVEL 

OF EFFORT: 24 hours

REFERENCES: 1. Event Notification Reports on the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 

Commission (NRC) internal website

2. Division training materials about past events

3. NRC Information Notices (IN) on the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 

Commission (NRC) public website

4. Regulatory Information Summaries (RIS) on the U.S. Nuclear 

Regulatory Commission (NRC) public website

5. Generic Issues (GI) (within last 24 months) on the US Nuclear 

Regulatory Commission (NRC) public website.

6. NMED Database Content on the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 

Commission (NRC) internal website

7. Chemical Safety Training from the University of Illinois at Chicago 

on Hydrofluoric Acid

8. Honeywell Special Chemicals Training Presentation on Hydrofluoric 

Acid

9. Interim Guidance - Inspector Duties/Responsibilities During 

Terrorist-Based Threats/Attacks at Region II Reactor and Fuel 

Facilities

EVALUATION

CRITERIA: At the completion of this guide, you should be able to do the following:

Discuss the general issues and topics presented in the references. You 

will be able to exhibit a basic knowledge of the technical/regulatory issues 

and their application to the NRC. 
Issue Date: 06/11/14 8 1247 Appendix B

TASKS: 1. Read the INs, RISs, GIs, and event related references.

2. Gain a general understanding of the technical/regulatory issues and 

their applications to the NRC.

3. Meet with your supervisor or a qualified inspector to discuss any 

questions that you may have as a result of this activity and 

demonstrate that you can meet the evaluation criteria listed above. 

DOCUMENTATION: General Proficiency Qualification Signature Card Item SG-General-3
Issue Date: 06/11/14 9 1247 Appendix B

General Proficiency Individual Study Guide

TOPIC: (SG-General-4) Safety Culture

PURPOSE: This guide will provide you with a working knowledge of the NRC safety 

culture initiative and how it is addressed in the Reactor Oversight Process 

(ROP). The NRC Fuel Facility safety culture evaluation process is 

currently under development. 

COMPETENCY 

AREA: INSPECTION

LEVEL 

OF EFFORT: 20 hours

REFERENCES: 1. RIS 2006-13, “Information on the Changes Made to the 

Reactor Oversight Process to More Fully Address Safety 

Culture”

1. Safety Culture computer based training, modules entitled Training 

Overview and Safety Culture Background (first 40% of the course), 

found in the online courses/training section of the NRC’s Learning 

Management System.

2. Columbia Space Shuttle Accident Report, a case study in safety 

culture, found on ROP Digital City in the online courses/training 

section of the NRC’s Learning Management System.

3. Inspection Manual Chapter (IMC) 0305, “Operating Reactor 

Assessment Program,” and IMC 0612, “Power Reactor Inspection 

Reports”

4. SECY-06-122, “Safety Culture Initiative Activities to Enhance the 

Reactor Oversight Process and Outcomes of the Initiatives” at 

http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doccollections/commission/secys/2006/secy2006-0122/2006-

0122scy.pdf (ML061320282)

5. OE Safety Culture Web Site http://www.nrc.gov/aboutnrc/regulatory/enforcement/safety-culture.html

6. SECY04-0111, “Recommended Staff Actions Regarding Agency 

Guidance in the Areas of Safety Conscious Work Environment and 

Safety Culture” (ML04) and associated SRM.

7. SECY05-0187, “Status of Safety Culture Initiatives and Schedule for 

Near-Term Deliverables” (ML05) and associated SRM. 

8. COMGBJ-08-0001, “A Commission Policy Statement on Safety 

Culture”
Issue Date: 06/11/14 10 1247 Appendix B

EVALUATION

CRITERIA: At the completion of this guide, you should be able to do the following:

1. Provide the definition of safety culture

2. Discuss those attributes or elements that are important to safety 

culture (i.e., safety culture components)

3. Discuss general safety culture aspects and the graded ROP 

approach to recognizing potential weaknesses in licensee safety 

culture and taking appropriate agency actions.

4. Discuss the difference between inspecting to develop the crosscutting aspect and allegation follow-up.

TASKS: 1. Define safety culture and safety conscious work environment 

(SCWE) and discuss how they differ and why they are important.

2. Explain the relationship of the cross-cutting areas with the safety 

culture components.

3. Discuss the agency’s graded approach to dealing with potential 

safety culture issues as licensee performance declines.

4. Meet with your supervisor or the person designated as a resource to 

discuss any questions that you may have as a result of this activity 

and demonstrate that you can meet the evaluation criteria listed 

above.

DOCUMENTATION: General Proficiency Qualification Signature Card Item SG-General-4
Issue Date: 06/11/14 11 1247 Appendix B

General Proficiency 

On-the-Job Training Activity
Issue Date: 06/11/14 12 1247 Appendix B

General Proficiency On-the-Job Training

TOPIC: (OJT-General-1) Emergency Drill/Exercise Observation

PURPOSE: The conduct of an emergency drill/exercise allows the licensee to assess 

emergency response performance and the effective correction of 

previously identified weaknesses. It permits the evaluation of the level of 

quality of emergency response training, emergency plan implementing 

procedures, facility and equipment readiness, personnel performance, 

organizational and management changes, and communications equipment 

readiness. This activity will permit you, the observer, to realize the scope 

of involvement of your particular discipline during a declared emergency at 

a fuel cycle facility. 

COMPETENCY

AREAS: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

INSPECTION

LEVEL OF

EFFORT: 8 hours

REFERENCES: 1. IP 88051, “Evaluation of Exercises and Drills” 

2. IP 88050, “Emergency Preparedness” 

3. NUREG-1520, “Standard Review Plan for the Review of a License 

Application for a Fuel Cycle Facility,” Section 8.

4. 10 CFR 70.22(i), 70.32(i), 70.24(a)(3) 

5. An emergency exercise scenario

6. Site emergency plan and applicable emergency preparedness

implementing procedures related to drills/exercises

EVALUATION

CRITERIA: At the completion of this activity, you should be able to do the following:

1. Discuss the Federal guidance for drill/exercise observations as 

described in IP 88051.

2. Identify activities that may occur with regard to your discipline during 

the performance of an emergency drill/exercise.

3. Discuss the NRC’s method of evaluating licensee performance 

during an emergency drill/exercise to determine whether it has met 
Issue Date: 06/11/14 13 1247 Appendix B

the planning standards of 10 CFR 70.22(i), and demonstrated the 

capability of providing reasonable assurance that adequate 

protective measures can be taken in the event of a declared 

emergency.

TASKS: 1. Review IP 88050 and IP 88051 to identify the inspection attributes 

provided for drill/exercise performance evaluations. 

2. Review the regulatory requirements with regard to emergency 

preparedness contained in 10 CFR 70.22(i), 70.32(i), and 

70.24(a)(3).

3. Obtain an emergency drill/exercise schedule for fuel facilities. If

possible, observe the drill at the site. Take care not to interfere with 

licensee performance or evaluation of the drill/exercise. Do not 

prompt licensee participants or evaluators or provide your

observations or conclusions regarding weaknesses or deficiencies 

during drill/exercise performance. Findings must be held confidential 

until after the formal licensee critique.

4. Obtain and review a copy of a licensee’s emergency drill/exercise 

packet , and emergency plan and implementing procedures. 

Identify activities that will occur with regard to your discipline during 

the performance of the emergency drill/exercise and note the 

licensee expectations for success versus failure. 

5. Discuss emergency drill/exercise observations and questions you 

may have with the lead NRC inspector to understand whether the 

licensee demonstrated the capability of providing reasonable 

assurance that adequate protective measures can be taken in the 

event of a declared emergency and if it has met the planning 

standards of 10 CFR 70.22(i).

6. Meet with your supervisor and/or a qualified emergency 

preparedness inspector to demonstrate that you can meet the 

evaluation criteria listed above. This could be accomplished via 

conference call for staff getting outside of the region.

DOCUMENTATION: General Proficiency Qualification Signature Card Item OJT-General1
Issue Date: 06/11/14 14 1247 Appendix B

General Proficiency On-the-Job Training

TOPIC: (OJT-General-2) Classification Guides

PURPOSE: The purpose of this is to familiarize you with classification guides and what 

information should not be discussed in notes, emails, computer files, and 

inspection reports.

COMPETENCY 

AREA: INSPECTION

LEVEL OF

EFFORT: 20 hours

REFERENCES: 1. Inspection Manual Chapter (IMC) 0610, “Nuclear Material Safety 

and Safeguards Inspection Reports”

2. IMC 0616, “Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards Inspection Reports”

3. Classification Guides for Fuel Cycle Facilities (NFS, B&W, Paducah, 

URENCO, etc.) 

EVALUATION

CRITERIA: Upon completion of the tasks, you should be able to do the following:

1. Understand what items can be discussed and documented in an 

inspection report.

TASKS: 1. Discuss with a qualified NCS inspector or reviewer the classification 

Guides. Describe what information should not be discussed in 

notes, emails, computer files, and inspection reports.

DOCUMENTATION: Fuel Facility Criticality Safety Inspector Proficiency-Level Qualification 

Signature Card, Item OJT-General-2.
Issue Date: 06/11/14 15 1247 Appendix B

General Proficiency-Level Signature Card and Certification

Inspector Name: _________________________________

Employee

Initials/Date

Supervisor’s

Signature/Date

A.1 Training Courses (all inspector types)

Effective Communication for NRC Inspectors

Gathering Information for Inspectors through Interviews

Media training Workshop

G-205, Root Cause/Incident Investigation Workshop

G-103, Field Techniques and Regulatory Processes

A.2 Training Courses (all inspector types except Security 

and MC&A)

F-102S, General HP Practices for Fuel Cycle Facilities 

F-204S, Uranium Enrichment Processes 

P-404, Hazards Analysis (ISA)

P-400, Introduction to Risk Assessment in NMSS

B. Individual Study Activities

SG-General-1 Quality Assurance Program 

SG-General-2 Corrective Action Program 

SG-General-3 Technical and Regulatory Issues 

SG-General-4 Safety Culture 

C. On-the-Job Activity

OJT-General-1 Emergency Drill/Exercise 

OJT-General-2 Classification Guides

Supervisor’s signature indicates successful completion of all required courses and activities 

listed in this journal.

Supervisor’s Signature: _______________________________ Date: ______________

Form 1, “General Proficiency-Level Equivalency Justification,” must accompany this signature 

card, if applicable.

Copies to: Inspector

Human Resources Office

Supervisor
Issue Date: 06/11/14 16 1247 Appendix B

Form 1: General Proficiency-Level Equivalency Justification

Inspector Name: _________________________________

Identify equivalent training 

and experience for which the 

inspector is to be given credit

A.1 Training Courses (all inspector types)

Effective Communication for NRC Inspectors

Gathering Information for Inspectors through Interviews

Media training Workshop

G-205, Root Cause/Incident Investigation Workshop

G-103, Field Techniques and Regulatory Processes

A. Training Courses 

F-102S, General HP Practices for Fuel Cycle Facilities 

F-204S, Uranium Enrichment Processes 

P-404, Hazards Analysis (ISA)

P-400, Introduction to Risk Assessment in NMSS

B. Individual Study Activities

SG-General-1 Quality Assurance Program 

SG-General-2 Corrective Action Program 

SG-General-3 Technical and Regulatory Issues 

SG-General-4 Safety Culture 

C. On-the-Job Activity

OJT-General-1 Emergency Drill/Exercise 

OJT-General-2 Classification Guides

Supervisor’s Recommendation Signature/Date____________________________

Division Director’s ApprovalSignature/Date____________________________

Copies to: Inspector 

Human Resources Office

Supervisor (This form must accompany the signature card and certification, if 

applicable)
Issue Date: 06/11/14 Att1-1 1247

Attachment 1

Revision History for IMC 1247 Appendix B

Commitment 

Tracking 

Number

Accession 

Number

Issue Date

Change Notice

Description of Change Description of 

Training Required 

and Completion Date 

Comment and 

Feedback Resolution 

Accession Number 

02/18/09

CN 09-006

Researched commitments for 4 years and

found none.

New inspection manual chapter to specify 

qualification requirements for NRC fuel facility 

operations, health physics, emergency 

preparedness, security, material control and 

accounting, and construction inspectors.

N/A ML090400527

N/A ML12257A123

06/11/14

CN 14-012

This appendix has been revised to update 

required training and study guides for staff 

getting qualified as a Fuel Facility inspector.

None ML12257A123