The Nuclear Regulatory Commission licenses the individuals who operate the controls of a nuclear power plant. There are two categories of licenses, a reactor operator and a senior reactor operator. A senior reactor operator is a supervisory position overseeing the work of the reactor operators. The license is issued after the individual passes both a written examination and an operating test. The senior reactor operator examination also measures the ability of the individual to direct the activities of licensed operators.
Reactor operator
A high school diploma
At least 3 years of power plant experience with at least 1 year of experience at the nuclear power plant where the individual is licensed (not including time spent as a control room operator).
At least 6 months of experience performing plant operational duties at the nuclear power plant where the individual is licensed
At least 3 months of experience as a control room operator at the nuclear power plant where the individual is licensed
Completion of the nuclear power plant's reactor operator training program
Supervised manipulation of the controls of the nuclear reactor for certain operations affecting reactor power level
A successful medical examination meeting NRC requirements
Passing the NRC Generic Fundamentals Examination
Passing the nuclear power plant's reactor operator test
Passing the nuclear power plant's Operating Test (approved by the NRC) which covers knowledge of the nuclear power plant components, knowledge of casualty response, and responses to simulated casualties and plant evolutions in an approved simulator.
Senior reactor operator.
At least 3 years of nuclear power plant experience is required instead of 3 years of general power plant experience
A bachelor's degree in engineering, engineering technology, or physical science is required unless the operator has had 1 year of experience as a licensed reactor operator or 2 years of experience qualified in certain senior watch stations in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program (including that of a naval reactor operator).
Fulfilling certain supervisory functions as a trainee.
Completion of the nuclear power plant's senior reactor operator training program
Passing the nuclear power plant's senior reactor operator test which includes an administrative section in addition to the reactor operator test.
Passing a more extensive plant Operating Test which also includes supervisory and administrative actions.