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AALAS LABORATORY ANIMAL TECHNICIAN (LAT)
CERTIFICATION EXAM 2026- QUESTIONS LATEST 2026 – 2027
VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
AALAS Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) Certification Exam
SECTION 1: REGULATIONS, ETHICS, AND IACUC (Questions 1-30)
1. The primary federal law governing the care and use of laboratory animals in the
United States that establishes minimum standards for housing, handling, and
veterinary care is which of the following foundational regulations that every
laboratory animal technician must be familiar with?
A) The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
B) The Animal Welfare Act (AWA)
C) PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
D) Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulations
Correct Answer: B - The Animal Welfare Act (7 USC 2131-2159) is the primary federal
law governing laboratory animal care. The Guide is a standard rather than a law, PHS
Policy applies specifically to federally funded research, and GLP applies to specific
study types rather than general animal care .
2. Under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), which of the following species is
specifically NOT defined as an "animal" for regulatory coverage purposes, creating
an important distinction that technicians must understand for regulatory
compliance?
A) Rats of the genus Rattus bred for research
B) Non-human primates
C) Guinea pigs
D) Rabbits
, Page 2 of 76
Correct Answer: A - The AWA excludes rats of the genus Rattus, mice of the genus Mus,
and birds bred for research from its definition of "animal." However, these species are
covered under PHS Policy when research is federally funded .
3. A researcher requests approval for a surgical procedure on Sprague-Dawley rats.
The IACUC protocol specifies aseptic technique must be followed. Which of the
following practices is most critical to maintain asepsis during the survival surgery
that the laboratory animal technician should ensure is performed correctly?
A) Using a non-sterile drape to cover the surgical site after skin preparation
B) Autoclaving all instruments and using sterile surgical gloves
C) Performing the surgery in a non-designated procedure area
D) Using the same instruments for multiple animals without re-sterilization
Correct Answer: B - Autoclaving instruments and using sterile gloves are foundational
to aseptic technique. The Guide requires aseptic technique for survival surgery,
including sterile instruments, gloves, and a sterile field .
4. The PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals applies to which
of the following categories of research institutions, establishing an important
compliance requirement that technicians must be aware of in their daily work?
A) All animal research regardless of funding source
B) Any institution receiving any federal funding, specifically PHS grants or contracts
C) Only USDA-licensed facilities
D) Only institutions conducting primate research
Correct Answer: B - PHS Policy applies to all activities involving vertebrate animals
supported by PHS funds, regardless of species. This is broader than the AWA in species
coverage but narrower in funding applicability .
5. The role of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) includes
several critical oversight functions. Which of the following is the most
comprehensive description of the IACUC's responsibilities that a technician should
understand?
A) Approving research protocols only
B) Conducting semi-annual facility inspections only
C) Investigating concerns about animal welfare only
D) Reviewing protocols, conducting semi-annual inspections, investigating welfare
concerns, and post-approval monitoring
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Correct Answer: D - IACUC responsibilities under both PHS Policy and the AWA include
protocol review, semiannual facility inspections, post-approval monitoring, addressing
welfare concerns, and investigating any reports of non-compliance .
6. Under the AWA, the Attending Veterinarian (AV) has which of the following
specific authorities that technicians should understand to ensure proper lines of
responsibility in the animal facility?
A) Approving all research protocols without IACUC review
B) Removing an animal from a study if it is in pain or distress without PI approval
C) Managing the animal facility budget independently
D) Hiring and firing animal care staff without oversight
Correct Answer: B - The AV has the authority to relieve pain and distress, including
removing animals from a study when necessary, to protect animal welfare. This
authority is granted by both the AWA and PHS Policy .
7. The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (8th edition) establishes
standards for all of the following EXCEPT which of the following areas that falls
outside the scope of this foundational reference document?
A) Animal housing and environment
B) Veterinary care and medical records
C) Surgical procedures and post-operative care
D) Grant funding amounts and research budget allocations
Correct Answer: D - The Guide addresses husbandry, veterinary care, facilities, and
procedures—not funding or budget matters. The Guide is the primary standard
referenced by both the AWA and PHS Policy .
8. A technician observes that a research animal appears to be in distress but the
principal investigator is unavailable. Under the AWA and PHS Policy, the technician
should take which of the following appropriate actions to ensure animal welfare is
maintained?
A) Wait for the PI to return before taking any action
B) Contact the Attending Veterinarian immediately
C) Continue the study as scheduled regardless of the animal's condition
D) Euthanize the animal without consultation
, Page 4 of 76
Correct Answer: B - The AV must be contacted when an animal appears to be in pain or
distress. The AV has the authority to relieve pain and distress, including removing
animals from a study when necessary .
9. Which of the following best describes the difference between the Animal Welfare
Act and PHS Policy regarding the species of animals covered by each regulation?
A) The AWA covers all vertebrate species, while PHS Policy covers only mammals
B) The AWA excludes rats, mice, and birds bred for research, while PHS Policy covers all
vertebrate species used in PHS-funded research
C) Both the AWA and PHS Policy cover all animal species equally
D) PHS Policy excludes all research animals, while the AWA covers all of them
Correct Answer: B - The AWA specifically excludes rats of the genus Rattus, mice of the
genus Mus, and birds bred for research, while PHS Policy (which applies to PHS-funded
research) covers all vertebrate species .
10. A laboratory animal technician is preparing for a facility inspection. The USDA
inspector is expected to review records related to which of the following aspects of
animal care that technicians should maintain properly?
A) Animal research data and scientific results
B) Personnel training records only
C) Animal acquisition records, veterinary care records, and IACUC meeting minutes
D) Research grant applications and funding documentation
Correct Answer: C - The AWA requires maintenance of records on animal acquisition,
veterinary care, and IACUC activities. These are the primary records reviewed during
USDA inspections .
11. The requirement for environmental enrichment for non-human primates is
mandated by which of the following regulatory authorities and is intended to
address which specific welfare concern?
A) The Animal Welfare Act, to promote psychological well-being
B) PHS Policy, to improve research data quality
C) The Guide, to reduce facility costs
D) Good Laboratory Practice, to standardize research protocols
AALAS LABORATORY ANIMAL TECHNICIAN (LAT)
CERTIFICATION EXAM 2026- QUESTIONS LATEST 2026 – 2027
VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
AALAS Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) Certification Exam
SECTION 1: REGULATIONS, ETHICS, AND IACUC (Questions 1-30)
1. The primary federal law governing the care and use of laboratory animals in the
United States that establishes minimum standards for housing, handling, and
veterinary care is which of the following foundational regulations that every
laboratory animal technician must be familiar with?
A) The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
B) The Animal Welfare Act (AWA)
C) PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
D) Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulations
Correct Answer: B - The Animal Welfare Act (7 USC 2131-2159) is the primary federal
law governing laboratory animal care. The Guide is a standard rather than a law, PHS
Policy applies specifically to federally funded research, and GLP applies to specific
study types rather than general animal care .
2. Under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), which of the following species is
specifically NOT defined as an "animal" for regulatory coverage purposes, creating
an important distinction that technicians must understand for regulatory
compliance?
A) Rats of the genus Rattus bred for research
B) Non-human primates
C) Guinea pigs
D) Rabbits
, Page 2 of 76
Correct Answer: A - The AWA excludes rats of the genus Rattus, mice of the genus Mus,
and birds bred for research from its definition of "animal." However, these species are
covered under PHS Policy when research is federally funded .
3. A researcher requests approval for a surgical procedure on Sprague-Dawley rats.
The IACUC protocol specifies aseptic technique must be followed. Which of the
following practices is most critical to maintain asepsis during the survival surgery
that the laboratory animal technician should ensure is performed correctly?
A) Using a non-sterile drape to cover the surgical site after skin preparation
B) Autoclaving all instruments and using sterile surgical gloves
C) Performing the surgery in a non-designated procedure area
D) Using the same instruments for multiple animals without re-sterilization
Correct Answer: B - Autoclaving instruments and using sterile gloves are foundational
to aseptic technique. The Guide requires aseptic technique for survival surgery,
including sterile instruments, gloves, and a sterile field .
4. The PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals applies to which
of the following categories of research institutions, establishing an important
compliance requirement that technicians must be aware of in their daily work?
A) All animal research regardless of funding source
B) Any institution receiving any federal funding, specifically PHS grants or contracts
C) Only USDA-licensed facilities
D) Only institutions conducting primate research
Correct Answer: B - PHS Policy applies to all activities involving vertebrate animals
supported by PHS funds, regardless of species. This is broader than the AWA in species
coverage but narrower in funding applicability .
5. The role of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) includes
several critical oversight functions. Which of the following is the most
comprehensive description of the IACUC's responsibilities that a technician should
understand?
A) Approving research protocols only
B) Conducting semi-annual facility inspections only
C) Investigating concerns about animal welfare only
D) Reviewing protocols, conducting semi-annual inspections, investigating welfare
concerns, and post-approval monitoring
, Page 3 of 76
Correct Answer: D - IACUC responsibilities under both PHS Policy and the AWA include
protocol review, semiannual facility inspections, post-approval monitoring, addressing
welfare concerns, and investigating any reports of non-compliance .
6. Under the AWA, the Attending Veterinarian (AV) has which of the following
specific authorities that technicians should understand to ensure proper lines of
responsibility in the animal facility?
A) Approving all research protocols without IACUC review
B) Removing an animal from a study if it is in pain or distress without PI approval
C) Managing the animal facility budget independently
D) Hiring and firing animal care staff without oversight
Correct Answer: B - The AV has the authority to relieve pain and distress, including
removing animals from a study when necessary, to protect animal welfare. This
authority is granted by both the AWA and PHS Policy .
7. The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (8th edition) establishes
standards for all of the following EXCEPT which of the following areas that falls
outside the scope of this foundational reference document?
A) Animal housing and environment
B) Veterinary care and medical records
C) Surgical procedures and post-operative care
D) Grant funding amounts and research budget allocations
Correct Answer: D - The Guide addresses husbandry, veterinary care, facilities, and
procedures—not funding or budget matters. The Guide is the primary standard
referenced by both the AWA and PHS Policy .
8. A technician observes that a research animal appears to be in distress but the
principal investigator is unavailable. Under the AWA and PHS Policy, the technician
should take which of the following appropriate actions to ensure animal welfare is
maintained?
A) Wait for the PI to return before taking any action
B) Contact the Attending Veterinarian immediately
C) Continue the study as scheduled regardless of the animal's condition
D) Euthanize the animal without consultation
, Page 4 of 76
Correct Answer: B - The AV must be contacted when an animal appears to be in pain or
distress. The AV has the authority to relieve pain and distress, including removing
animals from a study when necessary .
9. Which of the following best describes the difference between the Animal Welfare
Act and PHS Policy regarding the species of animals covered by each regulation?
A) The AWA covers all vertebrate species, while PHS Policy covers only mammals
B) The AWA excludes rats, mice, and birds bred for research, while PHS Policy covers all
vertebrate species used in PHS-funded research
C) Both the AWA and PHS Policy cover all animal species equally
D) PHS Policy excludes all research animals, while the AWA covers all of them
Correct Answer: B - The AWA specifically excludes rats of the genus Rattus, mice of the
genus Mus, and birds bred for research, while PHS Policy (which applies to PHS-funded
research) covers all vertebrate species .
10. A laboratory animal technician is preparing for a facility inspection. The USDA
inspector is expected to review records related to which of the following aspects of
animal care that technicians should maintain properly?
A) Animal research data and scientific results
B) Personnel training records only
C) Animal acquisition records, veterinary care records, and IACUC meeting minutes
D) Research grant applications and funding documentation
Correct Answer: C - The AWA requires maintenance of records on animal acquisition,
veterinary care, and IACUC activities. These are the primary records reviewed during
USDA inspections .
11. The requirement for environmental enrichment for non-human primates is
mandated by which of the following regulatory authorities and is intended to
address which specific welfare concern?
A) The Animal Welfare Act, to promote psychological well-being
B) PHS Policy, to improve research data quality
C) The Guide, to reduce facility costs
D) Good Laboratory Practice, to standardize research protocols
