A Radioactive Use Authorization (RUA) is an agreement between a principal investigator (PI) and UCSD specifying how and where radioactive materials will be used. Keep a copy of the RUA available for inspectors in the main radioactive materials use area.

To be eligible for an RUA, the PI must:

• Be a faculty member
• Have an independent space assignment
• Have independent funding
• Attend the Radiation: Safety Seminar or equivalent

See How to Open, Amend, Renew, and Deactivate a Radioisotope Use Authorization (RUA) for application procedures.

• Amend the RUA when any of the following critical elements change:
• Project summary
• Isotopes
• Lab manager or personnel
• Work locations
• Human or animal protocols
• Renew the RUA one year after initial approval, and annually every year thereafter. Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) will notify the PI when it's time for renewal.
• Deactivate the RUA when the PI is retiring, leaving UCSD, or no longer possesses radioactive materials.

Recharge rates: A recharge, depending on laboratory classification as specified in your Radioisotope Use Authorization (RUA), is required to help defray costs associated with maintaining UCSD's State of California radioactive materials use license. The following rates apply:

• Low-use lab – $65 monthly
• High-use lab – $195 monthly
• Sealed source lab – $65 monthly
• Sealed source labs authorized to posses one and only one generally licensed device may be exempted from the monthly recharge at the discretion of the Radiation Safety Officer

Need an expert? Contact EH&S Radiation Safety, (858) 534-6138.