Licensing

Through the licensing process, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) authorizes an applicant to conduct any or all of the following activities:

• Construct, operate, and decommission commercial reactors and fuel cycle facilities.
• Possess, use, process, export and import nuclear materials and waste, and handle certain aspects of their transportation.
• Site, design, construct, operate, and close waste disposal sites.

To become licensed for any of these activities (or to amend, renew, or transfer an existing license), an entity or individual submits an application to the NRC. The NRC staff reviews the submission, using standard review plans, to ensure that the applicant's assumptions are technically correct and that the proposed activities will not adversely affect the environment. For additional detail, see the Additional Licensing Information below, as well as the following pages:

• License Fees
• Topical Reports
• Public Involvement in Licensing
• Environmental Center of Expertise

Additional Licensing Information