Reality Manipulation License

A Reality Manipulation License (RML) is a license issued to individuals by Raven's Licensing division to allow them to work with reality-altering technology, such as at scientific bridge laboratories. They are a way of ensuring that those who have access to these dangerous technologies are both qualified and competent, and possess an understanding of their obligations under Dimensional Security Accords and the consequences of transgressions. The initial legislation codifying requirements for RMLs were set out in the Einstein-Rosen Accords, and further bolstered by the Dimensional Security Accords.

Prerequisites for holding a RML vary by class, but generally require both formal qualifications in the relevant areas of exophysics, as well as an active Raven security clearance. Applying for both a clearance and a license at the same time is common, and both processes can run concurrently. Licenses can be issued both to members of public sector organisations, such as the Interdimensional Research Treaty Organisation (IRTO), as well as employees of private corporations that hold a Dimensional Research Agreement (DRA) with Raven.

Classes

Standard RML classes range from Class 1, which is the lowest, to Class 5, which is the highest. Personnel with lower classes of licenses must be directly supervised by those with a higher class license; under the Security Accords, no personnel are permitted to work unsupervised. Progression through license classes is merit-based; one must have held a lower class license for at least a specific duration of time before being able to apply for the next class.

Uses

A Reality Manipulation License allows individuals to perform actions that might temporarily or permanently change how a certain area in reality functions, which could potentially endanger the life of those present within it and the surrounding areas if mismanaged. This involves the most commonly known actions (such as decreasing manifold vacuum levels to open a bridge), but also various others, such as manipulating the properties of manifolds using grid control systems or handling anomalous objects and/or entities.

RMLs are required where individuals have any level of influence over the control of manifolds, even in command positions. For example, an Operator in Command (OIC) of a bridge laboratory obviously requires a RML in order to open the bridge, but what may not be obvious is that their supervisor and all members of the command chain up to the Facility Director also require RMLs (which are usually high-class RMLs - Class 4 or 5). Some facility technicians also require RMLs, not because they have any control over the experiment, but because their role involves maintaining parts of the bridge laboratory which could change how the bridge generator functions if they are altered in certain ways, leading them to indirectly contribute to the modifications made to the manifold. However, many members of bridge laboratory staff do not require RMLs because they do not come into contact with any critical areas.

RMLs are also not required for expeditionary team members, who are required to undergo a different licensing procedure as part of their training in contact with native species. Likewise, the possession of a RML does not entitle one to be part of an expeditionary team. RMLs confer privileges strictly in technical aspects of reality manipulation only.

Requirements

The process of applying for a license is lengthy, and can take up to a year. For the candidate, extensive tests and examinations are carried out, including an oral board. Candidates also progress through simulated real-world scenarios in order to test their responses in a variety of different situations. All of the information from these examinations is then considered by a scientific committee within Reality Control, along with the individual's personal academic merits, in order to deliver a final outcome. Failing to obtain a higher class license on the basis of examinations does not mean the loss of any currently held license class, unless the reason for failure is security-related or represents serious negligence.

Under modern regulations, personnel applying for their first Class 1 RML are subject to a 2-3 year residency period at a bridge laboratory under the direct supervision of a Class 3 or higher license holder. During this period, they do not have the authority to directly control the experiment without prior permission from their supervisor, and cannot act in the legal role of Operator in Command (OIC). Only on successful completion of the residency period is their RML considered fully granted and these restrictions are lifted.

Expiry

RMLs and clearances require a sponsoring organisation (such as IRTO or a private corporation authorised by a DRA) in order to remain active. When a licensed individual leaves such an organisation, their clearance and RML both become "inactive". An inactive clearance lapses after 6 months, while an inactive RML lapses after 5 years. After a clearance lapses, the individual must undergo the full vetting process again; likewise, after a RML lapses, the individual must undergo the full license application process. This creates an incentive for license holders to remain employed in order to retain their license.

Note that if a previous high-class license (i.e. Class 5) was held, which has lapsed, individuals are not required to undergo the residency period or statutory time-in-role prerequisites; on successful completion of their application, they are eligible to be re-granted their full license at the class that it was when it lapsed.