To become licensed, operators must meet training and experience requirements, pass a medical exam, and pass the NRC licensing exam. To keep their license, operators must pass a plant-operating exam each year, pass a medical exam every 2 years, and apply for license renewal every 6 years. Licenses cannot be transferred between plants, so an operator must get a new license to operate in another facility. (“Nuclear Power Reactor Operators”)
In addition to licenses, internships, and a college education, nuclear power reactor operators need to have basic traits; a good portion of these are listed at the webpage “Nuclear Power Reactor Operators.” They include being able to focus and concentrate, the ability to watch for subtle changes, near-sighted vision, good communication skills, and being able to work well in a team and under