Which of the following statements correctly describe the PHS assurance?

• A. It must be approved by AAALAC before any research is conducted in the facility.
• B. It must be renewed every year.
• C. It must describe the essential components of an institution's animal use and care program.
• D. It is optional for institutions that house rodents only

Answer: (C)

PHS Assurance is the formal plan an institution submits to OLAW that describes how its animal care and use program is organized and implemented for activities funded by the Public Health Service. The key purpose is to lay out the essential components of how animals are cared for and used, and how the program meets the standards in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. This includes details on IACUC oversight, personnel training, veterinary care, housing and husbandry, procedures and pain management, and the process for approving and monitoring projects.

AAALAC accreditation is not a prerequisite for the Assurance; accreditation is voluntary and separate from the PHS requirement. The Assurance is not required to be renewed every year—updates and renewals occur according to OLAW’s schedule as changes happen, not on a strict annual cycle. And the Assurance is not optional for institutions that house rodents only—any PHS-funded work involving vertebrate animals requires an Assurance, regardless of species.