Certified IRB Professional   Eligibility

The Certified IRB Professional (CIP®) certification program is for individuals whose primary job responsibilities include substantial participation in overseeing, administering, or performing the daily activities of an IRB as part of an HRPP.

Eligible individuals typically work within an HRPP/IRB office, reviewing IRB submissions, managing the review of IRB materials at IRB meetings, writing IRB minutes, and providing consultation to study teams on IRB submissions.  This includes managing the review of protocol materials submitted to the IRB by research teams, for new approval, modification, continuing review, exemptions, reliance activities, and non-compliance/unanticipated problems. 

Eligible individuals may also be involved in updating the policies and procedures within the HRPP/IRB, providing education to IRB staff and the research community on updates to the federal regulations and guidance documents on human subject protection. 

CIP Eligible Experience

Relevant HRPP experience requires substantial and ongoing performance within the last seven years of IRB administrative functions or duties relevant to an IRB office within a HRPP, which demonstrates a commitment to human subject protection: 

  • Conducting a review of materials submitted to the IRB—inclusive of completeness and accuracy  

  • Conducting expedited and exempt determinations 

  • Developing and providing education to IRB staff and the research community regarding the laws, regulations, and guidance documents on human subject protection 

  • Managing HRPP policies and procedures 

  • Managing research protocol approval or reliance process 

  • Managing review of noncompliance and unanticipated problems on behalf of the HRPP/IRB 

  • Monitoring and providing regulatory support and expertise during IRB meetings (e.g., monitoring quorum, documenting regulatory determinations, drafting IRB minutes, providing guidance on required determinations) 

Please note that ‘managing’ encompasses administering, coordinating, executing and overseeing these tasks.  IRB chairs, members and organizational officials who perform these functions may have experience that meets the definition of relevant IRB experience and may be appropriate candidates to sit for the certification examination. Service as an IRB member is not, in and of itself, sufficient to fulfill the requirements for relevant IRB experience. 

Merely interacting with an IRB office on an occasional or even routine basis (as is common with sponsor personnel and study-site personnel working in study coordinator, study administrator, or investigator positions) does not meet the requirements for relevant HRPP experience for the CIP certification program. The CIP designation is not intended to be used as a means of qualification for HRPP related employment for applicants who do not have sufficient HRPP related work experience. 

Candidates must ensure their CV/resumé provides sufficient detail in demonstrating their relevant experience 

CIP Eligibility Length of Experience

All individuals must have at least two years of full-time experience (within in the past seven years) in executing the job functions that comprise the eligibility guidelines. 

Part-time experience is calculated by the percentage of effort spent on HRPP/IRB administration-related work, based on the following formula: 

1 year of experience x 50% effort in HRPP/IRB administration = 6 months of eligible experience 

Unsure of Your CIP Eligibility?

Candidates who are unsure of their eligibility may send their CV/resumé and their work verification form to certification@primr.org for review by the CIP Council.  

I am CIP Eligible. What's Next?

I am CIP Eligible. What's Next?

The CIP exam is offered on a continuous basis. CIP exam candidates have two exam delivery options: in-person testing centers, or live remote online proctoring. Exam candidates receive their scores within an hour of testing.