About Us Profile Nuclear Power Power Line Projects Quality History FPL Retirees Investor Family of Sites Operator Licensing Nuclear power plant reactor operators must be licensed by the NRC to operate the controls of a nuclear power plant. A senior operator may operate controls and supervise other licensed reactor operators. Each license must be renewed every six years and is valid only at the nuclear plant where it was issued. Since operators work at only one site, it is important to train on a site-specific simulator. FPL operates control room simulators at its Turkey Point and St. Lucie plants.
Computer programs help instructors duplicate operating and emergency conditions.
Operator license applicants spend four to seven weeks training on the simulator as part of their 18-month training program. FPL administers an annual requalification test which consists of four hours of written tests, approximately three hours of simulator testing and a half-day of executing job performance measures, which include operating plant equipment. Licensed crews undergo continuous training, attending classes and practicing on the simulator. FPL employs more than 50 instructors at each of its nuclear power plants to train or re-qualify more than 600 plant workers, including those seeking licenses. FPL is a full member of the National Academy for Nuclear Training, which was established in 1985 to improve training standards and consistency in the industry.