Materials Pre-application Engagements FAQs

• Why have a pre-application engagement with the NRC?

The purpose of voluntary pre-application engagement with the NRC is to promote early, two-way communication between a prospective applicant or licensee and the NRC before a license application is submitted to the NRC. Pre-application engagements may be requested by prospective applicants (e.g., before applying for new licenses or registrations) and existing licensees and registrants (e.g., before making amendment requests or requesting new licenses or registrations).

Early engagement can promote openness, help clarify regulatory requirements and licensing jurisdictions, promote completeness and sufficiency in the application preparation, and improve application quality, facilitating a timely, predictable, and efficient licensing process. Pre-application meetings can be leveraged for a range of applications, including new, novel, or complex applications. These engagements also allow the NRC to plan for staffing and resource needs appropriate for the requests. The NRC guidance for pre-application engagements is available at the Agencywide Documents Access and Management (ADAMS) accession number ML26005A001.

• Is pre-application engagement required?

Pre-application engagements are voluntary. They are not required.   

• Do I need to submit an application if I participate in a pre-application engagement?

When you intend to seek a licensing action, the pre-application engagement may be used to gather and share information prior to submitting an application. However, it is up to you whether you subsequently decide to proceed with submitting an application for a materials license or Sealed Source and Device registration certificate. 

• What does pre-application engagement look like?

Pre-application engagements with the NRC may take many forms, including public or closed meetings, phone conversations, or electronic exchanges. Many common questions can be resolved quickly through email or a phone call. Meetings can also be arranged and facilitated by NRC staff when appropriate. 

• Can I submit draft licensing applications to the NRC?

The NRC will not accept draft licensing application submittals for feedback. However, pre-application engagements can be utilized by the licensee or prospective applicant to share and discuss draft applications and to clarify NRC requirements, appropriate forms and checklists, items for completeness (e.g., NUREG 1556 checklists) and technical sufficiency, and applicable acceptance criteria, prior to submitting an application. 

• How do I request a pre-application engagement with the NRC?

You can contact the appropriate NRC Headquarters or Regional office with questions via email as listed below.  If reaching out to a regional office by phone, please request to speak with a materials license reviewer for appropriate routing.

NRC Headquarters

(Sealed Source and Device Registrations and Exempt Distribution Applications)

Email: LBLicensingAssistant.Resource@nrc.gov

NRC Region I

Email: R1DRSSMail.Resource@nrc.gov

NRC Region III

Email: R3-DRSSMAIL.Resource@nrc.gov

NRC Region IV

Email: R4licensing@nrc.gov