Training Requirements

Under Singapore's regulations, RCULA (Responsible Care and Use of Laboratory Animals) training is a requirement for all animal users in research. RCULA is required for all types of animals except fish. Both theory and practical components must be completed to be awarded the RCULA certificate. The RCUF (Responsible Care and Use of Fish) certificate is required for research personnel who will be working with fish in their protocols. 

  • In very exceptional cases, PIs who are not involved in the manipulation or care of animals may apply for a waiver of the practical training component for IACUC’s consideration. However, a co-I with full certification and who has sufficient experience with the procedures described in the application must be added to the study. Such co-Is can be faculty or research fellows. 

  • If a practical RCULA course is not offered on the species you intend to work with, appropriate work experience with the relevant species must be mentioned in the AUP submission.

  • All animal users should complete a theory refresher session every 5 years.

  • All animal users with a hands-on practice lapse of 2 or more years should attend either (1) hands-on refresher training; or (2) assessment of competency.

    1. The hands-on refresher training can be provided by either a senior experienced member of the research group, or the ARF veterinarians,
    2. The assessment of competency can only be conducted by ARF veterinarians.

    Animal users must report the refresher training records and/or the outcome of competency assessment to NTU-IACUC using the ServiceNow form as soon as possible upon completion. This will facilitate the timely update of training records on your ERMP User Profile.

    For submissions by students or external users (unable to access ServiceNow), please refer to the FAQ 1 below for more information.

  • Visiting personnel who will be part of an active AUP must meet the training requirements outlined in the table below:
​Duration Of Involvement In NTU-IACUC Protocol​Required Documentation
3 months
​1) RCULA theory certification

2) Practical training certification equivalent to the local RCULA / RCUF course detailing practical training conducted and species trained on

3) Summary of past animal work
3 months
​In addition to items (1) to (3) listed above, personnel are granted 3 months from start of work on an IACUC protocol to complete the local practical RCULA / RCUF course.

 

 

NTU's RCULA & RCUF Training Courses

NTU offers the online RCULA / RCUF theory course and the hands-on practical training component of these courses, as summarised below. For further details on the course and pricing, please contact NTU ARF.

CertificationTraining OfferedPre-requisite
RCULA1) RCULA Theory
2) RCULA Practical 		Users must complete the RCULA theory online course offered by NTU prior to registering for NTU's RCULA practical class.
Proof of theory certification must be provided for registration.
RCUF1) RCUF Theory
2) RCUF Practical 		Fish users are to complete the RCUF theory course in NTU, prior to registering for NTU's RCUF practical class.
Proof of theory certification must be provided for registration.
Recertification
(every 5 years) 		1) RCULA Theory Refresher 
2) RCUF Theory Refresher 		Participants must have completed the full RCULA/RCUF theory course.


RCULA Practical Sessions from June to December 2025.

MonthDateTime
JUNE10th , 24th

 

1:00pm - 5.30pm

JULY8th , 22nd
AUGUST5th , 19th
SEPTEMBER2nd , 16th
OCTOBER7th , 21st
NOVEMBER4th, 18th
DECEMBER2nd, 16th

 

Notes:

  • Subject to exigencies, there might be changes to the dates and participants would be informed beforehand of the change in date for the hands-on session.
  • There is a limit to the number of participants for each session. Scheduling of the hands-on session will be based on whoever completes the RCULA theory online course first.
  • Please note that ALL hands-on session will take place at NTU Novena (details of the venue will be provided via email). Therefore, please plan your schedule accordingly and refer to NTU website for the NTU-LKCMedicine shuttle bus services between NTU Nanyang and NTU Novena.(https://entuedu.sharepoint.com/sites/Student/dept/ocas/SitePages/NTU-LKCMedicine-Shuttle-Buses.aspx)

 

RCULA Refresher Course Modules

RCULA Theory RefresherRCUF Theory Refresher
Working with the IACUC Working with the IACUC
Working with the Laboratory Mouse Working with the Laboratory Zebrafish

 

External Animal Users can either complete NTU’s full RCULA/RCUF Theory course, or the RCULA/RCUF Theory Refresher course when due for recertification. The fees for either the Full or Refresher courses are $165.25 each (with GST included). Please contact NTU ARF (ARF@ntu.edu.sg) to register for the desired course. 

Once you have completed the course requirements, please download the completion transcript and send it to NTU-ARF. A completion certificate will then be sent to your email address. 

IACUC Hands-On Competency Declaration – FAQs
  1. What should a researcher do upon receiving an ERMP notification for expired training record(s)?
       
    Download the Hands-On Competency Declaration form from intranet. Complete this form with the Date when the expired procedures were last performed. Attach the completed form to the ServiceNow request, IACUC Hands-On Competency Declaration and submit for PI’s review.


    NTU researchers must submit this form via ServiceNow. Only students and non-NTU researchers may submit completed Hands-On Competency Declaration forms (signed by their PI) via email to IACUC@ntu.edu.sg. 
       

  2. What should a PI do upon receiving a study team member’s declaration form on ServiceNow?
       
    Review the attached and completed Hands-On Competency Declaration form, 1 per researcher, and approve if declared competencies are accurate.

       
  3. Why are PIs involved in approving the declaration?
       
    PI oversight ensures accountability and accurate reporting of team members’ competencies.
       

  4. Do I need to declare if I handle animals regularly?
       
    Yes. The declaration provides documented evidence of your recent hands-on activity, which is important for audits and AUP reviews.
       

  5. Will I need to submit this declaration every two years?
       
    No. You only need to declare when your recorded competency is due to expire. If you remain active and declare accordingly, your records will stay current.
       

  6. Why is the validity period set at two years?
       
    This timeframe aligns with the recommendations in the revised NACLAR Guidelines.
       

  7. What if I’m no longer performing certain competencies acquired through RCULA/RCUF training many years ago?
       
    You do not need to declare competencies you are no longer actively performing. However, if you’ve been inactive for over two years and wish to resume those competencies, refresher training or a competency assessment will be required.
       

  8. I’m no longer involved in animal work (e.g. due to a change in job scope or having graduated from my PhD programme). Do I still need to declare?

    No. However, please inform the IACUC Secretariat so we can work with your PI to remove you from any associated AUPs. Once removed, you will not be required to submit any declarations.

  9. Our lab has a new research staff member who will be attending RCULA or RCUF training soon. Do they need to submit a declaration?
       
    No. The IACUC Secretariat will populate the competencies in their ERMP User Profile once the training certificate is submitted to us. A separate declaration solely for the RCULA or RCUF training will not be required.
       

  10. I am currently performing other specialised competencies (e.g. surgical procedures) as well. Do I need to declare these now?
       
    No. At this stage, you only need to declare competencies that appear as expired in your ERMP User Profile. More information on the declaration of specialised competencies will be provided in the coming months.