Over the preceding ten years, continual research and development has been performed on the high temperature irradiation resistant thermocouple (HTIR-TC) by the team at Idaho National Laboratories (INL) High Temperature Test Laboratory (HTTL). The HTIR-TC has the capability of achieving high temperatures up to 1600°C or more. Further, the HTIR-TC has gone through many longevity tests both in and out of pile to show the amount of drift is minimal compared standard thermocouples. Key considerations for properties and materials of the HTIR-TC have been final diameter, ductility after heat treatment, and minimizing transmutation of materials during operation. Further, heat treatment and calibration processes have been established in order to consistently produce repeatable and reliable temperature readings. The current work provides further background for the standardization process of the HTIR-TC.