Two McMaster Nuclear Reactor operators earn CNSC certification

Nuclear at McMaster is pleased to announce that two of our reactor operators – Dylan Cloud and Luis Rodriguez – have been granted certification by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). 

Both Cloud and Rodriguez graduated from Lambton College with advanced diplomas in Chemical Production & Power Engineering Technology and joined MNR as reactor operators in April 2024. 

They passed their final certification exam in October 2025 and received their official notice of certification from the CNSC in February 2026, bringing the number of certified reactor operators at the McMaster Nuclear Reactor (MNR) up to 10. 

From inside the control room and on the experimental floor, reactor operators play an essential role in the day-to-day activities at MNR, ensuring the reactor continues to function efficiently and safely. 

“I’m very happy and proud to receive my certification after many long months of studying. I’d like to give a big shoutout to all the operations staff for their support and sharing their expertise with us,” says Cloud.  

As part of the certification process, Cloud and Rodriguez completed over 480 hours of hands-on training inside the McMaster Nuclear Reactor, where they worked as assistant operators. 

“Working at the McMaster Nuclear Reactor is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” says Rodriguez, who received a Chemical Engineering degree from the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH)  

“I’m grateful to the entire operations team for their guidance and support throughout the training process. I feel proud to be part of a field that’s saving lives through medical isotope production and providing clean, reliable energy for the future.”  

Derek Cappon, McMaster’s Director, Reactor Operations & Maintenance, congratulates Cloud and Rodriguez on their certification success and welcomes them as the newest certified members of MNR’s operator crew. 

“MNR’s reactor operators play a critical role in maintaining excellence at our facility and enabling cutting-edge research in medical isotopes, clean energy and materials. We’re excited to officially welcome Dylan and Luis to the team,” he says.   

The pathway to certification 

The pathway to becoming a reactor operator involves a significant amount of initial and ongoing training, including regular recertification every five years. 

Due to MNR’s unique design, operator training takes place almost entirely inside the reactor building. Reactor operators are trained in the relevant science fundamentals, reactor physics, radiation protection and safety programs, and equipment operation and repair. 

In addition to training, candidates are required to operate reactor controls under the supervision of a certified operator for a minimum of 160 hours. 

Once they have completed their training, candidates undergo verbal assessments conducted by McMaster’s Reactor Manager and Senior Health Physicist. If successful, they are required to sit for a 6-hour written certification examination which is reviewed and approved by CNSC and MNR staff. After careful review of each candidate’s training records and exam score, the CNSC grants the candidate certification. 

The licensing process takes approximately 18 months. By the time they are certified, MNR’s reactor operators have completed at least 25 comprehensive written and on-the-job evaluations. 

Nevertheless, every five years each reactor operator is required to undergo recertification, writing a new exam to ensure continued excellence in operations.