Training Resources

To access the OACU-sponsored training courses for Principal Investigators, animal users, and ACUC members, please click here

The training tools and multimedia resources provided on this website are intended to assist investigators to learn proper technical procedure methodology. Additional training and experience will be necessary in order to become proficient in these techniques. If you are an NIH employee, and are unsure of where to obtain additional training, please contact OACU at TrainingOACU@mail.nih.gov or 301-496-5424 for assistance.

Nonhuman Primate Training Resources

Monkey B Virus Safety Training Documents

NIH Policy Manual 3044-2 requires that all personnel working directly with nonhuman primates or that regularly enter nonhuman primate facilities undergo safety awareness training prior to unsupervised work. The documents provided on this page are part of the resources used by the trainers at NIH to conduct the course “Working Safely with Nonhuman Primates.” The trainers have been qualified to conduct this safety awareness training within the NIH Intramural Animal Program. Any questions regarding these resources should be directed to the Office of Animal Care and Use.

Training Package components:

Aquatics Training Resources

Rabbit Training Resources

Rodent Breeding

Commercial Animal Sources:

Rodent Restraint Procedures

Rodent Blood Collection Procedures

Rodent Compound Administration Procedures

Rodent Genotyping & Identification Procedures

Rodent Survival Surgery

Rodent Euthanasia Procedures

NIH Hands-on Rodent Workshops

Mouse Workshop: Safe Handling and Techniques classes are four hour sessions that provide investigators with an opportunity to receive training on techniques using live mice. Instructors for these small group sessions are certified laboratory animal technologists and provide a good opportunity for learning basic skills. No prior experience with mice is required prior to attending this class.

Rat Workshop: Safe Handling and Techniques classes are three and a half hour sessions that provide investigators with an opportunity to receive training on techniques using live mice. Instructors for these small group sessions are certified laboratory animal technologists and provide a good opportunity for learning basic skills. No prior experience with mice is required prior to attending this class.

Techniques covered in the classes: Basic handling and restraint, ear tag, ear punch, IP injection, gavage, tail vein injection, mandibular blood collection, tail snip for genotyping, IC blood collection and euthanasia. Note that techniques covered may vary depending on the skill level of students.

Skill Level – Novice: This course is meant to introduce scientists and other animal users to basic rodent handling and techniques as a foundation for further practice of these skills. No prior experience with mice is required prior to attending this class.

Prerequisite Training: Completion of the online course “Using Animals in Intramural Research” (either for animal users or principal investigators) and enrollment in the NIH Animal Exposure Program (or the equivalent for contract personnel) is required. No prior experience with mice is required prior to attending this class.

Cost: There is no registration fee for this course.

Register for Mouse and/or Rat Workshops

Restrictions: Due to limited workshop size, attendance is limited. Classes are currently being offered at the NIH Bethesda, MD campus only. Further resources are available at the IC level and we are happy to help connect you with those resources. Please contact OACU or your IC’s research animal program office for further information.

Other Training Resources

  • Alternatives in Animal Research – NIH Library Training Course
  • Animal Model and Model Organism Information Resources – NIH Library Training Course
  • Atlas of Laboratory Mouse Histology
  • E-Mouse Atlas Project

  • NHGRI Training in Basic Biomethodology for Laboratory Mice CD and the NHGRI Training in Basic Biomethodology for Laboratory Rats CD

    The National Human Genome Research Institute Office of Laboratory Animal Medicine has developed training CDs in Basic Biomethodology for Laboratory Mice and the Basic Biomethodology for Laboratory Rats. The CDs illustrate the most common practices used in the NIH intramural research program and were developed to promote proficiency in performing common techniques in the these two common rodent species. The CDs consist of training modules, table of contents, lists of definitions, and help and reference sections. To obtain copies of the CDs send your name, research institution affiliation, full mailing address and email address to: rodent-cd@mail.nih.gov. Requests are limited to only one of each CD.

Please note: The guidelines, policies, and resource documents featured on this page are intended for the NIH Intramural Research Program and are not to be considered guidance from the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) or any other oversight entity.

This page was last updated on Wednesday, May 14, 2025