U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 

Commission

Overview

OTHER KEY OFFICES

◆ The Office of Enforcement develops policies 

and programs to enforce NRC requirements. 

Enforcement action is used as a deterrent to 

emphasize the importance of compliance with 

regulatory requirements and to encourage prompt 

identification and prompt, comprehensive correction 

of violations. The office manages major enforcement 

actions against licensees, and assesses the 

effectiveness and uniformity of enforcement actions 

taken by NRC regional offices. Enforcement powers 

include notices of violations, fines, and orders to 

modify, suspend or revoke a license. Two separate 

offices are responsible for investigations. 

◆ The Office of Investigations conducts investigations 

of licensees, applicants, contractors and vendors. 

The office investigates all allegations of wrongdoing 

by individuals or organizations other than NRC 

employees and NRC contractors. In addition, the 

office keeps abreast of inquiries and inspections and 

advises on the need for formal investigations. It also 

keeps other components of the agency informed of 

matters under investigation as they affect safety. 

◆ The Office of the Inspector General is a 

statutory post mandated by the Inspector General 

Amendments Act of 1988. The office conducts 

independent reviews and appraisals of internal NRC 

programs and conducts investigations of alleged 

wrongdoing by NRC employees and contractors. 

Office of Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20555-0001 

Telephone: (301) 415-8200

Fax: (301) 415-3716

E-mail: opa.resource@nrc.gov

Website: www.nrc.gov

Regional Public Affairs Offices 

NUREG/BR-0099, Rev. 14

June 2016

Region I 

2100 Renaissance Blvd., Suite 100 

King of Prussia, PA 19406-2713

(610) 337-5330 or 337-5331

Region II

245 Peachtree Center Ave., NE., Suite 1200

Atlanta, GA 30303-1257

(404) 997-4417 or 997-4416

Region III

2443 Warrenville Road, Suite 210 

Lisle, IL 60532-4352

(630) 829-9663 or 829-9662

Region IV

1600 E. Lamar Blvd. 

Arlington, TX 76011-4511

(817) 200-1128

STAY CONNECTED
NRC MISSION

The NRC licenses and regulates the Nation’s civilian 

use of radioactive materials to protect public health and 

safety, promote the common defense and security, and 

protect the environment. Specifically, the NRC regulates 

commercial nuclear power plants; research, test and 

training reactors; nuclear fuel cycle facilities; and the 

use of radioactive materials in medical, academic and 

industrial settings. 

The agency also regulates the transport, storage, and 

disposal of radioactive materials and waste, and licenses 

the import and export of radioactive materials. While 

the NRC only regulates industries within the United 

States, the agency works with agencies around the world 

to enhance global nuclear safety and security. 

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 created the 

NRC from the Atomic Energy Commission. The 

new agency was to oversee — but not promote — 

the commercial nuclear industry. The agency began 

operations on January 18, 1975. The NRC’s regulations 

can be found in Title 10, “Energy,” of the Code of 

Federal Regulations (10 CFR).

The NRC, its licensees (those licensed by the NRC to 

use radioactive materials), and the Agreement States 

(States that assume regulatory authority over use of 

certain nuclear materials) share a responsibility to 

protect public health and safety and the environment. 

Federal regulations and the NRC’s regulatory program 

are key, but the primary responsibility for safely 

handling and using these materials lies with 

the licensees.

ORGANIZATIONS 

AND FUNCTIONS 

The NRC’s Commission is made 

up of five members nominated 

by the President and confirmed 

by the U.S. Senate for 5-year terms. 

The President designates one member to 

serve as Chairman. The Chairman acts as the 

principal executive officer and spokesperson of the 

agency. The members’ terms are staggered so that one 

Commissioner’s term expires on June 30 every year. No 

more than three Commissioners can belong to the same 

political party. 

The Commission formulates policies and regulations 

governing nuclear reactor and materials safety, issues 

orders to licensees, and adjudicates legal matters. 

The Executive Director for Operations carries out the 

policies and decisions of the Commission, and directs 

the activities of the program and regional offices. The 

NRC has about 3,600 employees and an annual budget 

of about $1 billion. 

The NRC is headquartered in Rockville, Md., and has 

four regional offices. The Regional Offices conduct 

inspection, enforcement (in conjunction with the 

Office of Enforcement), investigation, licensing, and 

emergency response programs. At least two NRC 

employees, called Resident Inspectors, are assigned to, 

and work out of, each nuclear power plant. The NRC 

also has a Technical Training Center in Tennessee.

The major program offices within the NRC include: 

◆ The Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. Handles 

all licensing and inspection activities for existing 

nuclear power reactors and research and 

test reactors. 

◆ The Office of New Reactors. Oversees the 

design, siting, licensing, and construction of new 

commercial nuclear power reactors. 

◆ The Office of Nuclear Security and Incident 

Response. Oversees agency security policy for 

nuclear facilities and users of radioactive materials. 

It provides a safeguards and security interface 

with other Federal agencies and maintains the 

agency’s emergency preparedness and incident 

response program. 

◆ The Office of Nuclear Material Safety 

and Safeguards. Regulates activities 

and oversees the regulatory 

framework for the safe and secure 

production of commercial nuclear 

fuel and the use of nuclear material 

in medical, industrial, academic and 

commercial applications; uranium recovery 

activities; and the decommissioning of previously 

operating nuclear facilities. It regulates safe storage, 

transportation, and disposal of high- and low-level 

radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. The office 

also works with Federal agencies, States, and Tribal 

and local governments on regulatory matters.

◆ The Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research. 

Provides independent expertise and information for 

making timely regulatory judgments, anticipating 

problems of potential safety significance, and 

resolving safety issues. It helps develop technical 

regulations and standards and collects, analyzes, 

and disseminates information about the safety of 

commercial nuclear power plants and certain 

nuclear materials. 

Three independent groups serve the Commission: 

◆ Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, 

mandated by statute, is a committee of scientists and 

engineers independent of NRC staff. They review 

and make recommendations to the Commission on 

all applications to build and operate nuclear power 

reactors, the safety aspects of nuclear facilities and 

the adequacy of safety standards. This includes 

uprate license amendments and license renewals. 

◆ Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of 

Isotopes is made up of physicians and scientists who 

consider medical questions and, when asked, give 

expert opinions to the NRC on the medical uses of 

radioactive materials. 

◆ Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel

provides a way for the public to get a full and fair 

hearing on civilian nuclear matters. Individuals who 

are directly affected by licensing action involving 

certain facilites producing or using nuclear materials 

may submit a request to participate in a hearing 

before these independent judges.