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About the CIP® Credential

The Certified IRB Professional (CIP®) credential constitutes formal recognition of an IRB professional’s broad knowledge of IRB functions and expertise about HRPPs. It signals that its holders are highly qualified to discharge their duties pursuant to United States rules and regulations, prevailing ethical codes. PRIM&R established the CIP® credential in 1999 to improve the quality of HRPPs and IRBs nationwide by promoting ethical practices and advanced knowledge of IRB administration.
Those interested in seeking the CIP® credential must meet the eligibility requirements and then apply for and pass the CIP® exam. CIP® credential holders must recertify every three years.

Why Become Certified?

The CIP® credential:
  • Promotes the ethical conduct of research by strengthening the administration of HRPPs
  • Demonstrates the certified IRB professional’s high level of dedication to the IRB administration as a profession
  • Validates an individual’s professional experience and mastery of the body of knowledge determined by national experts to be essential to competent HRPP and IRB administrative practices
  • Encourages personal growth and professional development
  • Provides an expanded array of career advancement opportunities
  • Strengthens the quality of HRPPs by certifying a cadre of committed and educated individuals

Where to Start

CIP® Exam

The CIP® exam is available on a continuous basis, both at in-person testing centers and online, through live remote proctoring. Candidates take their exams through PSI’s upgraded Bridge platform, which uses less bandwidth than its predecessor platforms, and integrates tech support onto the exam form.
Candidates have a 90-day window to test upon approval of their exam applications. Candidates who are unsuccessful in passing the exam will be eligible to re-test 90 days after their initial exam.
The CIP® exam consists of 130 questions. Of these 130 questions, 115 are scored and 15 questions are unscored pre-test items. Candidates won’t know which questions will be scored, and which will be unscored.
Candidates receive their exam scores by email and through PSI’s website within an hour of testing.
Learn More About the CIP® Exam