Human Subject Research Training with CITI
Many, if not all, questions about the CITI Human Research Training are addressed at the CITI website. However, here are responses to anticipated questions from North Texas Regional IRB researchers:
- Does Everyone on a research project have to take this training?
- Why CITI training?
- How much time is involved with CITI training?
- Is there a “passing grade requirement” for the CITI training?
- How often does one have to take CITI training?
- Is CITI training eligible for CME credit?
- Can I submit CITI training that was completed under the requirements of another institution?
- Are there alternatives or substitutes for CITI training?
- Record Keeping: Do I have to submit a certificate of training to verify course completion?
- For Additional Information…
Does Everyone on a research project have to take this training?
All research personnel who are actively involved with the project (principal investigator, co-investigators, study physician, research assistants, coordinators, etc.), and anyone who will be interacting with human subjects from a research perspective is considered a key personnel and must complete this training. When in doubt about your own, or a staff person’s involvement in a project, call the North Texas Regional IRB for special interpretation. CITI training is a good thing for anyone, and we encourage staff members who think they may be only marginally involved in a project to go ahead and take the training at their own pace. It’s educational, informative (and free!) and broadens awareness of what human subject research is all about.
First, CITI it is one of the most diverse, effective, and comprehensive on-line training and educational approach for the subject matter in use by over hundreds of institutions worldwide. The CITI system offers broad training across both biomedical and social/behavioral science areas and is updated regularly to be current with federal guidelines and regulations. Second, investigators can log on and go at their own pace…the program is eligible for CME credits for those seeking them, and many institutions already use CITI allowing for “reciprocity” of training requirements for collaborative research projects…thus our researchers (or our partners) won’t have to prove their training or undergo off-site training to satisfy another IRBs requirements. Typically, the full set of required modules takes a total of about 2 – 3 hrs of on-line reading and quiz responding time. Again, since this is an open-access internet training system, anyone can log on from anywhere and do one or more modules at their leisure at any time.
How much time is involved with CITI training?
Typically, completing a required series of modules will take about 2 – 3 hours. However, the CITI training program is set up as a series of short (5-15 minute) modules that can be taken at any time from any place with internet access.
Is there a “passing grade requirement” for the CITI training?
Each required module has a short quiz of a few relatively straight-forward questions. In order to successfully complete the CITI training program, an overall average score of 80% is required. Note that the goal of CITI training is for researchers to have an awareness and understanding of the issues associated with human research protection. Thus, anyone may take the CITI training as many times as needed to obtain this level of education and training.
How often does one have to take CITI training?
CITI training for North Texas Regional IRB researchers is valid for 3 years.
Is CITI training eligible for CME credit?
Yes. The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Division of Continuing Medical Education will provide up to 6 AMA PRA Category 1 credits™ for Physicians, Physician’s Assistants, Nurses, Psychologists and other health care providers. The current fee associated with the Basic Course is through the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Division of Continuing Medical Education. Details are at the CITI web site.
Can I submit CITI training that was completed under the requirements of another institution?
Another institution’s CITI training is acceptable if the training is comparable to the North Texas Regional IRB’s CITI training curriculum. A valid CITI certificate from that institution is required indicating that the training date has not expired. In addition, a transcript of the modules that were completed for that training course is required. The North Texas Regional IRB will decide if the training is acceptable as a substitute. In the event that the training is not acceptable, researchers will be asked the complete the CITI training through the NTR IRB CITI affiliation (or other appropriate institutional affiliation).
Are there alternatives or substitutes for CITI training?
If you have training that was completed from a different entity/organization (other than CITI), please check with the NTR IRB. Documentation of current, active certification as a clinical research professional (e.g., CRC, CTI) or as a Certified IRB Professional (CIP) also serves as evidence of appropriate training in human research protection. Again, appropriate documentation is required and must be submitted to the North Texas Regional IRB prior to involvement in any research project involving human subjects.
Record Keeping: Do I have to submit a certificate of training to verify course completion?
When a principal investigator submits a protocol to the NTR IRB for review (both new and continuing review), the principal investigator must include written verification that each of the key personnel on that project has successfully completed the online educational tutorial (i.e., provide documentation of the completed training, such as a completion certificate or transcript of completed modules).
The NTR IRB encourages all key personnel to save copies of their CITI training records for appropriate record keeping (i.e., good back-up plan). It is the up to the investigator to ensure their training is current at all times and maintained within their study documentation. Please note that researchers are not required to submit their CITI certificates every time training is renewed.
Contact the North Texas Regional IRB at (817) 735-0409 or at NorthTexRegIRB@unthsc.edu.
This page was last modified on March 18, 2024