Certified IRB Professional
Encyclopedia
The Certified IRB Professional (CIP) program is a certification
initiative in the United States
for individuals administering and overseeing the daily activities of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs). Institutional Review Boards are committees that are created and charged with determining if a research project conforms to ethical principles and federal regulations that protect the rights and welfare of human research subjects. The CIP program was developed by Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research
(PRIM&R) to promote standards for professional knowledge and to support adherence to regulatory requirements, best practices, and ethical standards in the conduct of research
. At present, there are over a thousand individuals who have attained their certification and are authorized to use the CIP designation.
The CIP program is overseen by the Council for Certification of IRB Professionals (CCIP), which is composed of professionals representing diverse IRBs (social science, behavioral, biomedical, institutional, independent, etc.) across the United States.
In addition to submitting an application for the certification exam and paying the required fee, CIP applicants must meet either of the following criteria:
The CIP Handbook states that relevant IRB experience must be “substantial and ongoing” and must reflect the applicant’s commitment to applied research ethics in human subject protections.
The CIP exam takes four hours and covers:
Individuals who earn passing grades on their exams become qualified CIPs. Certification is valid for three years, and can be renewed via re-examination or can be renewed with continuing education
credits once in a six-year period.
Certification
Certification refers to the confirmation of certain characteristics of an object, person, or organization. This confirmation is often, but not always, provided by some form of external review, education, assessment, or audit...
initiative in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
for individuals administering and overseeing the daily activities of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs). Institutional Review Boards are committees that are created and charged with determining if a research project conforms to ethical principles and federal regulations that protect the rights and welfare of human research subjects. The CIP program was developed by Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research
Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research
Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research is a membership-based 501 non-profit organization in the United States which is dedicated to advancing ethical standards in the conduct of biomedical and social, behavioral, and educational research...
(PRIM&R) to promote standards for professional knowledge and to support adherence to regulatory requirements, best practices, and ethical standards in the conduct of research
Research
Research can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...
. At present, there are over a thousand individuals who have attained their certification and are authorized to use the CIP designation.
Background
Created in 1999, the CIP program is a result of many years of discussions and planning by organizational members and leaders. It is endorsed by federal regulatory officials, professional associations, many national advisory bodies and IRB professionals who are committeed to improving the quality of human research protection programs.The CIP program is overseen by the Council for Certification of IRB Professionals (CCIP), which is composed of professionals representing diverse IRBs (social science, behavioral, biomedical, institutional, independent, etc.) across the United States.
Eligibility for certification
The CIP program is designed specifically for individuals administering or overseeing the daily operations of IRBs. Professionals from varied IRBs—institutional, independent, industry, as well as other organizations involved with biomedical, social science, behavioral, and educational research—may be eligible for the CIP credential.In addition to submitting an application for the certification exam and paying the required fee, CIP applicants must meet either of the following criteria:
- A bachelor’s degree plus two years of relevant IRB experience within the previous seven years; or
- Three years of relevant IRB experience within the previous ten years.
The CIP Handbook states that relevant IRB experience must be “substantial and ongoing” and must reflect the applicant’s commitment to applied research ethics in human subject protections.
Certification process and the CIP Examination
Eligible candidates earn their CIP credential by successfully passing the CIP examination. The exam was developed by the CCIP with substantial input from IRB/HRPP professionals, and is administered under contract by the Professional Testing Corporation (PTC) twice a year at computerized testing centers across North America and at specially arranged test locations that have included international locations.The CIP exam takes four hours and covers:
- Foundations and Concepts of IRB practice;
- Organizational and Personnel Knowledge;
- IRB Functions and Operations; and
- Records and reports.
Individuals who earn passing grades on their exams become qualified CIPs. Certification is valid for three years, and can be renewed via re-examination or can be renewed with continuing education
Continuing education
Continuing education is an all-encompassing term within a broad spectrum of post-secondary learning activities and programs. The term is used mainly in the United States and Canada...
credits once in a six-year period.