What You Need to Know about the Clinical Research Association Certification
Posted April 22nd, 2015
Clinical researchers are in demand, well compensated, and make a meaningful contribution to the health and wellness of everyone. In order to secure a position in this field, however, it’s necessary to be certified by the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP), the industry’s most authoritative professional body. This quick guide introduces you to everything you need to know to get certified and begin your career journey.
How Do I Get Certified?
You will need to pass a comprehensive exam administered by the ACRP. The exam is administered twice a year over a 24-day period in either March or September. Test takers will need to register in advance either online, or by mail. Certification is available in three different programs – The Certified Clinical Research Associate (CCRA) program, the Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC) program, or the Certified Principal Investigator (CPI) program.
Is Anyone Eligible to Get Certified?
Eligibility is strictly defined by the ACRP and varies according to the certification program you are pursuing. All the eligibility requirements along with valuable information about the certification process generally are outlined in the ACRP’s eligibility handbook.
What is on the Certification Exam?
The exam is designed to test your knowledge of current practices in clinical investigation, and is based on information compiled from an international job analysis. Everything on the exam is in reference to ICH guidelines and no other regulatory framework is tested. Questions test both the student’s body of knowledge and their mastery of practical applications. Participants are expected to demonstrate proficiency in five core knowledge areas:
- Protocol
- Safety
- Trial Management
- Trial Oversight
- Investigational Product Management
How is the Exam Administered?
The exam is made up of 125 multiple choice questions, but 25 of those questions are pre-test inquiries that do not affect the overall score. Each question has four possible answers, and the test contains no trick questions. Each test taker is allotted three hours of total time and takes the test at a dedicated computer terminal. A score is provided immediately following the completion of the test.
How Do I Study for the Exam?
The first step is to understand the content of the exam as clearly as possible. Afterwards, test takers are advised to prepare themselves as they would for any major exam. The ACRP provides a number of helpful resources including two exam preparation packages (1 and 2), a list of past test questions, and access to test prep courses held throughout the country.
Once you get certified, you’re ready to pursue a career as a clinical researcher. But in order to get the job you want, you’ll need to have more than just a passing grade. Rely on resources from Bayside Solutions.
