---
title: "What is an IACUC and what are its responsibilities? Answer in under 100 words. Cite only eCFR sources."
canonical: https://www.m-i-n-d.ai/minds/animal-welfare/iacuc-responsibilities
jurisdiction: "US Federal"
last_verified: 2026-08-26
license: CC BY 4.0 — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
attribution: "Source: MIND (m-i-n-d.ai)"
---

# What is an IACUC and what are its responsibilities? Answer in under 100 words. Cite only eCFR sources.

Under 9 CFR 2.31 (amended through February 21, 2023), an IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) is a committee appointed by a research facility's Chief Executive Officer to assess its animal program, facilities, and procedures. It must perform semiannual program reviews and facility inspections against Title 9, Chapter I, Subchapter A—Animal Welfare; approve, modify, or withhold approval of animal activities; fully re-review them at least every three years; submit evaluation reports to the Institutional Official for APHIS and funding Federal agencies; report uncorrected significant deficiencies within 15 business days; and may suspend approved activities.

## How the IACUC Works

Per the eCFR text of 9 CFR 2.31 (reflecting amendments through **February 21, 2023**, 88 FR 10713), the research facility's **Chief Executive Officer** appoints IACUC members qualified through experience and expertise to assess the facility's animal program, facilities, and procedures; except as specifically authorized by law or the regulations, the Committee may not prescribe methods or set standards for the design, performance, or conduct of actual research or experimentation.

Membership requires a **Chairman plus at least two additional members**: at least one **Doctor of Veterinary Medicine** with training or experience in laboratory animal science, and at least one member **unaffiliated with the facility** beyond Committee membership, who represents general community interests in the proper care and treatment of animals.

Acting as an agent of the research facility, the IACUC also reviews and investigates concerns from public complaints and personnel reports of noncompliance, makes recommendations to the Institutional Official on the program, facilities, and training, and prepares semiannual evaluation reports — signed by a majority of members and including any **minority views** — maintained by the facility and open to inspection by APHIS and funding Federal agencies.

## Key Numbers & Thresholds

| Item | Threshold (9 CFR 2.31) |
|---|---|
| Minimum committee size | Chairman + at least 2 additional members |
| Required DVM member | At least 1 |
| Required non-affiliated member | At least 1 |
| Cap per administrative unit (committees >3 members) | No more than 3 |
| Program review frequency | At least every 6 months |
| Facility inspection frequency | At least every 6 months |
| Complete re-review of activities | At least every 3 years |
| Deficiency corrections | Reasonable, specific plan and schedule with dates |
| Reporting uncorrected significant deficiencies | Within 15 business days, through the Institutional Official, to APHIS and funding Federal agencies |

## Exceptions & Edge Cases

- **Free-living wild animals** in their natural habitat need not be included in the semiannual facility inspections.
- **Field studies** (as defined in part 1) are exempt from the requirement that the IACUC determine proposed activities accord with the subchapter absent written justification for departure.
- **Ad hoc consultants** may assist with complex issues but cannot approve or withhold approval and cannot vote unless they are IACUC members.
- **Members with a conflicting interest** may not participate in review or approval (except to provide information) and may not contribute to a quorum.
- **Approval and suspension votes** require review at a convened meeting of a quorum and a majority vote of the quorum present.
- Upon **suspension** of an activity, the Institutional Official, in consultation with the IACUC, reviews the reasons, takes corrective action, and reports to APHIS and funding Federal agencies; facility officials may impose further review but may never approve an animal activity lacking IACUC approval.

## Sources

- [1] U.S. National Archives, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations — 9 CFR 2.31 — Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) · https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-9/section-2.31 · as of 2026-08-26