Top left banner Top right banner
Bottom left banner Bottom right banner
Home : Home : Warfare Centers : NSWC Dahlgren : What We Do : Naval Laser Safety : LSSO Training
Naval Laser Safety - LSSO Training

OPNAVINST 5100.27 / MCO 5104.1 series describes four categories of Laser System Safety Officer (LSSO) certification: Administrative Laser Safety Officer (ALSO), Technical Laser Safety Officer (TLSO), Range Laser Safety Specialist (RLSS), and Laser Safety Specialist (LSS). Re-testing at the LSSO highest certification level is required to maintain certification for all categories of LSSO every four (4) years. If the LSSO fails the recertification examination, the LSSO will have to be recertified by attending the appropriate course. Personnel should contact the Technical Lead Agent for Laser Safety (TLA) for assistance in locating an ALSO instructor in their area who could administer the ALSO exam. For TLSO, RLSS, and LSS recertification testing information, personnel should contact the LNTL. Commanding officers should determine which category of LSSO is appropriate for their command considering their mission, types of lasers being used, and size of the laser safety program. Here is a brief summary of the four LSSO types:

  • » Administrative Laser Safety Officer (ALSO)- Upon completion of a TLA/LNTL-approved ALSO course, the LSSO will possess the knowledge required to develop and administer a local Laser Hazards Control Program (LHCP). There are no prerequisites for the ALSO course. The ALSO course has a course identification number (CIN) in the Catalog of Navy Training Courses (CANTRAC) of A-493-0067.  Instructors for the ALSO course may be located by contacting the TLA.                  
  • » Technical Laser Safety Officer (TLSO) - Upon completion of a TLA/LNTL-approved TLSO course, the LSSO will possess the knowledge required to develop and administer a local LHCP, the technical knowledge to understand how the laser safety parameters for laser systems are derived, and the factors that go into the development of a laser range survey and hazard evaluation. There are no prerequisites for the TLSO course, but TLSO qualification is a prerequisite for attending a RLSS or LSS course. The TLSO course has a CIN in CANTRAC of A-493-0038. 
  • » Range Laser Safety Specialist (RLSS) - The RLSS course introduces the student to the technical concepts involved with range laser safety, commercial and military standards on the safe use of lasers outdoors, and the basic calculations that would be used by a certified and experienced RLSS working in the Lead Naval Range Laser Safety Group (Navy) or Range Training and Area Management office (Marine Corps). A fee may be associated with enrollment in this class. TLSO qualification is a prerequisite for attending the RLSS course.
  • » Laser Safety Specialist (LSS) -The LSS course introduces the student to the technical concepts involved with laser safety, the commercial and military standards on the safe use of lasers, and the basic calculations that would be used by a certified and experienced LSS working in the LNTL. A fee may be associated with enrollment in this class. TLSO qualification is a prerequisite for attending the LSS course. 

LSSO training is available only from ALA/LNTL approved personnel. The most current version of the official course materials must be used and a list of passing students must be provided to the ALA immediately following completion of the course. If you would like to set up an LSSO certification course, please contact us.

NOTE: Category I (CAT I) and Category II (CAT II) Laser System Safety Officer designations are outdated certifications that are no longer recognized by the Department of the Navy.