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CPIA® Eligibility Requirements

  • The Certified Professional in IACUC Administration (CPIA®) program is for individuals whose primary job responsibilities include a substantive role in the development, management, oversight, and administration of an institution's animal care and use committee (IACUC) and/or assigned to perform the daily activities in the administration of the institution's animal care and use program. The CPIA® designation is not intended to be used as a means of qualification for IACUC-related employment for applicants who do not have any prior IACUC-related work experience.  

CPIA® Eligibility Length of Experience

Candidates must qualify to sit for the CPIA® examination by having two years (24 months) of qualifying, relevant experience within the past seven years.  Part-time experience is calculated by the percentage of effort spent on IACUC administration-related work, based on the following formula: 
  • 1 year of experience x 50% effort in IACUC administration = 6 months of eligible experience 
If your institution does not employ an FTE exclusively assigned to IACUC administration-related work, part-time experience is calculated by the percentage of effort the institution assigns for IACUC administration, based on the following formula:
  • 1 year of experience x 30% of institutional program effort = 4 months of eligible experience 

CPIA® Eligible Experience

Experience comprises both time and quality components and is defined as the direct performance or responsibility for activities that comprise IACUC administration. Qualifying, relevant institutional IACUC experience must represent a commitment to ensure appropriate care of research animals and requires the performance of IACUC functions, as listed below, at the institutional level. Candidates must be responsible for the development, management, implementation, oversight, and administration of the: 
  • IACUC protocol review process, from submission to approval 
  • Semiannual program review and facility inspection processes 
  • IACUC policies, procedures, and guidelines 
  • Regulatory/accreditation processes (e.g., AAALAC, DOD, OLAW/PHS, USDA, VA) 
  • Continuing IACUC oversight of animal activities and the investigation of animal welfare concerns and/or noncompliance 
  • Support for IACUC committee functions 
  • Training programs regarding IACUC functions and animal care and use regulations/guidelines 
The following roles alone do not meet the primary eligibility requirements for performance of IACUC administration functions: 
  • IACUC member 
  • Veterinary professional or paraprofessional
  • Institutional official
  • Investigators/research staff
  • Laboratory animal facility management and staff 

Unsure of Your CPIA® 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 CPIA Council.
Work Verification Form

I am CPIA® Eligible: What's Next?

  • Complete and file a CPIA® Exam Application including a CV/resumé that clearly reflects responsibilities and experience in the administration of an IACUC and animal care use program, and a signed work verification form 
  • Adhere to the Code of Ethics for Certified Professionals in IACUC Administration in the CPIA® Handbook 
  • Pay the required fee prior to taking the exam
  • For further information, please contact PRIM&R by email at certification@primr.org or by telephone at 617.423.4112, ext. 0.