United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

Nuclear Power Plant Operator - Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR)

Credential: Nuclear Power Plant Operator - Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR)
Credentialing Agency: United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

 

Nuclear Power Plant Operator - Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR). This is a mid-level certification/License. NRC licenses all individuals who either operate or supervise the operation of the controls of a commercially owned nuclear power reactor or a test/research (i.e., non-power) reactor in the United States. Although the regulations in this area generally apply to power, research and test reactors, this site focuses primarily on the operator licensing activities at power reactor facilities.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

Nuclear Power Plant Operator - Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

 

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite
  • Experience
  • Education: High School Diploma/GED
  • Training
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for becoming eligible. Listed are the minimum requirements based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period 

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

One White Flint North
11555 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD  20852-2738

Phone: (301) 415-7000

Email: opa@nrc.gov

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The candidate must have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Individuals who have a BS in engineering or the equivalent can apply for the Senior Reactor Operator license directly, without first obtaining a Reactor Operator license, getting at least a year of experience, and then taking another examination (written, walk-through, and simulator) to upgrade their license to the higher level.

The candidate must have several years of related experience and complete extensive classroom, simulator, and on-the-job training covering reactor theory, thermodynamics, power plant components, system design and operation, integrated plant operations, and emergency response.

The Nuclear Power Plant Operator - Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) credential has the following other requirements:

  • Applicants must undergo a physical examination by a physician and be certified physically and mentally fit to be an operator.
  • A licensee shall have a medical examination by a physician every two years. The physician shall determine that the applicant or licensee meets the requirements of # 55.33(a) (1).
    All licensed operators are required to participate in their facility licensee's drug and alcohol testing programs, and they are prohibited from using, possessing, or selling illegal drugs and from performing licensed duties while under the influence of alcohol or any prescription, over-the-counter, or illegal substance that could adversely affect their performance.

Written Exam

  • Components (44%)
    • Valves
    • Sensors and Detectors
    • Controllers and Positioners
    • Pumps
    • Motors and Generators
    • Heat Exchangers and Condensers
    • Heat Exchangers and Condensers
    • Demineralizers and Ion Exchangers
    • Breakers, Relays, and Disconnects
  • Reactor Theory (28%)
    • Neutrons
    • Neutron Life Cycle
    • Reactor Kinetics and Neutron Sources
    • Reactivity Coefficients
    • Control Rods
    • Fission Production Poisons
    • Fuel Depletion and Burnable Poisons
    • Reactor Operational Physics
  • Thermodynamics (28%)
    • Thermodynamic Units and Properties
    • Steam
    • Thermodynamic Processes
    • Thermodynamic Cycles
    • Fluid Statics and Dynamics
    • Heat Transfer
    • Thermal Hydraulics
    • Core Thermal Limits
    • Brittle Fracture and Vessel Thermal Stress

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Nuclear Power Plant Operator - Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) examination:

RECERTIFICATION

Nuclear Power Plant Operator - Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR)

The Nuclear Power Plant Operator - Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) credential has the following recertification information:

The renewal process (10 CFR 55.57) requires the applicant to complete NRC Form 398 (Form currently being revised; once approved by OMB the form will be immediately effective) and submit it to the applicable NRC regional office with the following information:

  • written evidence of the applicant's experience under the existing license,
  • a certification from the facility licensee that the applicant is a safe and competent performer who has satisfactorily completed the requalification program for the facility (10 CFR 55.59), and
  • certification on NRC Form 396 (Form currently being revised; once approved by OMB the form will be immediately effective) that the applicant's medical condition and general health are satisfactory (10 CFR 55.23). 

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

Promotion Points

This certification has been approved for promotion points.

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Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Proponent Funded

Indicates the credential may have funding through the MOS proponent. Some proponents offer credentialing opportunities in conjunction with military training and/or as part of MOS development beyond the training base.

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Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click 'Complete Voucher and Apply' at the top of any page.

CG Bucks

Coming Soon - Coast Guard policy regarding service member eligibility requirements to participate in the Voluntary Credentialing Program is under review with a projected release date of first quarter FY20.

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 and Above

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 and Above

LaDR

This credential is recommended on the rating Learning and Development Roadmap (LaDR) for Sailors currently in the pay grade indicated on the icon, BUT MAY BE TAKEN BY SAILORS IN OTHER PAY GRADES.

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GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill. Click for external link to GI Bill licensing and certification information.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

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ANSI

This credential has been accredited by ANSI. Click for external link to the ANSI web site.

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ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC. Click for external link to the ICAC web site.

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ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC. Click for external link to the ABSNC web site.

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NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA. Click for external link to the NCCA web site.

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IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS. Click for external link to the IAS web site.

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Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: mimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty

Army e-learning

State-of-the art Computer Based Training available for free to the Army Workforce. Click for more information.

Click here for more information.

NKO e-learning

Credential preparation courses are provided at no cost through Navy e-Learning. Click for external link to the Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) web site, then select the “Navy e-Learning” link within the “Learning” tab to proceed to Navy e-Learning.

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
Registered Apprenticeship
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This is an official U.S. Navy website
Updated: October 16, 2019
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