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UIC News and Announcements
January 2026:
All active UIC authorizations will migrate to CATS Safety in January 2026; these migrated protocols contain essential information from existing authorizations. The CATS Safety platform supports a single lab-based protocol under each Principal Investigator, so researchers with multiple authorizations will find their authorizations have been combined into one protocol. Teaching and Facility protocols will remain separate.
All Principal Investigators with active UIC authorizations must complete the full transition of their radiation safety research into CATS Safety by accessing the migrated protocol in CATS Safety and answering all required protocol questions when either of these two scenarios occurs:
- Amendment – To change a currently approved authorization.
- Three-Year Renewal (De Novo Renewal) – De Novo submissions in CATS Safety must be completed a minimum of 2 weeks before your protocol expiration date.
Please refer to the step-by-step instructions at the bottom of the Transitioning Active UIC Authorizations into CATS Safety page for guidance on completing this transition. Live training opportunities are also available. See the CATS Safety Guidance page for more information on using the system.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Safety Team at orp-iostope@psu.edu.
Overview
The primary responsibility of the University Isotopes Committee (UIC) is to ensure that Penn State complies with regulations established by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Environment Protection Bureau of Radiation Protection (PA DEP BRP) for containing, controlling and transporting radioactive materials. This is best accomplished when all stakeholders performing or overseeing regulated activities establish and maintain a positive safety culture commensurate with the safety and security significance of their activities and the nature and complexity of their organization and function. The expectation to maintain and foster this culture applies to everyone at The Pennsylvania State University.
Researchers at the College of Medicine and Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center should work with the Radiation Safety Program or Health Physics Program.
Submission to the UIC
When Submission is Required
Anyone utilizing radioactive materials must have UIC approval prior to beginning their research. This includes the possession, use, and transfer of all licensed radioactive material on University-controlled property by University personnel or others and by University personnel at non-University Park locations, except for the Hershey Medical Center, which is covered by rules that are administered by committees separate from the University Isotopes.
See CATS Safety Guidance to learn how to submit.
When Submission is Not Required
Submission is not required for naturally occurring radioactive materials in their normal concentrations and chemical states or those materials such as smoke detectors, luminous dials, or rare earths. The purchase and use of Exempt radioactive materials such as sealed counting standards does not require UIC submission. However, the UIC may require authorization to possess or use such material if the potential hazard is comparable to licensed material. Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) should be consulted before acquiring any radioactive material to determine whether an authorization is required.
Registering Radiation-Producing Instruments (X-Rays, etc.)
All radiation-producing instruments (e.g., x-ray machines, electron microscopes) must be registered with Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) per Penn State Policy SY15. State regulations require that Penn State report all radiation-producing units to the Department of Environmental Protection.
In addition to required registration, SY15 addresses the acquisition, installation, operation, control, and disposal of radiation-producing instruments at University Park and the Commonwealth Campuses, and any related equipment transferred in from outside institutions. Anyone utilizing radiation-producing instruments must consult with EHS prior to ordering, installing, or moving these instruments: ehsrad@psu.edu.
Questions regarding this policy should be directed to ehsrad@psu.edu. To obtain authorization, contact Aaron Wilmot, RSO, adw154@psu.edu.
Note: SY15 applies to all campus location except Penn State Health and the College of Medicine.
Breazeale Nuclear Reactor
Operation of the Breazeale Nuclear Reactor does not require UIC approval except as specifically made a part of the reactor’s operating license. Radioactive material contained in reactor fuel elements, operating components, or supporting structure is exempted from these regulations and is covered by the reactor’s operating license. Other radioactive material produced by the neutrons generated by the nuclear comes under control of the UIC upon removal from the reactor.
Grants
When applying for a grant, if any isotopes/procedures in the new grant are not covered in the existing approved protocol, you must submit an amendment in CATS Safety.
Upcoming UIC Events
Office for Research Protections
Address
110 Technology Center
200 Innovation Blvd.
University Park, PA 16803
The Office for Research Protections (ORP) ensures that research at the University is conducted in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations and guidelines that protect human participants, animals, students, and personnel involved with research.