Resolution of Generic Safety Issues: Task HF3: Operator Licensing Examinations (Rev. 2) ( NUREG-0933, Main Report with Supplements 1–35 )
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One purpose of this task is to ensure that the licensing examination for reactor operators and senior operators is a valid measure of the operator's knowledge and ability to perform the necessary tasks and functions required to safely operate and control commercial nuclear power plants. The second purpose is to ensure that examinations are administered in a consistent manner by the various NRC examiners to enhance reliability and efficiency. The intent is to perform these modifications to the examination process without unnecessary impact on current license candidates and training programs. This task was identified as five distinct items in Table 7 of the NRC 1985 Annual Report (Items 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, and 3.5). The following is a discussion of these five items.
ITEM HF3.1: DEVELOP JOB KNOWLEDGE CATALOG
DESCRIPTION
A catalog of the reactor operator and senior operator tasks and duties and the required knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for safe performance will be formulated using available generic job and task analyses. A computerized bank of examination questions for use in test construction and examination validation will be developed and updated using this catalog. Additionally, test specifications will be developed for licensing examinations to provide examination plans which outline the necessary types of knowledge required to be assessed during examinations. An evaluation of the feasibility of identifying or developing on-the-job performance measures which can be used in assessing the ability of the examination process to predict operator performance will be conducted. Long-term examination development/validation strategies will be developed based upon the results of current examination modifications and content validation.
This item is related to increasing knowledge, certainty, and understanding of safety issues in order to increase confidence in assessing levels of safety and is, therefore, considered a licensing issue.
CONCLUSION
This Licensing Issue was resolved with the issuance of a Supplement 1 to the Knowledge and Abilities Catalog (NUREG-1122)974 in April 1987.
ITEM HF3.2: DEVELOP LICENSE EXAMINATION HANDBOOK
DESCRIPTION
To increase the efficiency, reliability, and validity of the licensing examination process, DHFT will evaluate new examination procedures. These new procedures will take into consideration the problems and issues associated with the current examination process from the examiner, candidate, and utility perspectives. The examination process and practices of similar applicable agencies and organizations will be reviewed. The input from industry training staff and reactor operators regarding problems or issues underlying the current licensing examinations will be solicited. The results will be the identification of improvements to optimize the format and procedures relating to written, oral, and simulator examinations. From this identification activity, standardized examination practices and guidelines will be developed. The test examiners will also be trained on test development, administration, and grading techniques to assure consistency and reliability.
This item is related to increasing knowledge, certainty, and understanding of safety issues in order to increase confidence in assessing levels of safety and is, therefore, considered a licensing issue.
CONCLUSION
This Licensing Issue was resolved with the issuance of Revision 4 to the Examiners Handbook (NUREG-1021)962 in May 1987.
ITEM HF3.3: DEVELOP CRITERIA FOR NUCLEAR POWER PLANT SIMULATORS
DESCRIPTION
The TMI Action Plan identified a need for upgrading of training simulator standards, and for a regulatory guide giving criteria for acceptability. It also called for a review of simulators to assure their conformance to criteria.
Work underway under this item will provide methods and criteria for evaluating the adequacy of nuclear power plant simulators for use in conducting operating examinations under proposed 10 CFR 55.45. The qualifications required of personnel who perform these evaluations will be identified.
CONCLUSION
This item is covered in TMI Action Plan Item I.A.4.2(4).
ITEM HF3.4: EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS
DESCRIPTION
This item called for a revision to 10 CFR 55 to reflect changes in operator licensing examinations and the examination process. A revision to Regulatory Guide 1.149439 is also to be accomplished.
CONCLUSION
This item is covered in TMI Action Plan Item I.A.2.6(1).
ITEM HF3.5: DEVELOP COMPUTERIZED EXAM SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION
As part of the examination process effort relative to Items HF3.1 and HF3.2, this item calls for the staff to develop a computerized exam system.
This item is related to increasing knowledge, certainty, and understanding of safety issues in order to increase confidence in assessing levels of safety and is, therefore, considered a licensing issue.
CONCLUSION
In December 1984, DHFT reported that the Examination Question Bank was fully operational and was available for routine access by all examiners.997 Thus, this Licensing Issue has been resolved.
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