Specialty Certifications support the professional development of clinical research professionals, including through promoting certification in the field. Certifications are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCAA) or the Clinical Research Nurse Certification Council (CRNCC).
Certification Options
The Association of Clinical Research Professionals
ACRP offers Certified Professional (ACRP-CP), Certified Clinical Research Associate (CCRA), Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC), Certified Principal Investigator (CPI), ACRP Medial Device Professional (ACRP-MDP), and ACRP Project Manager (ACRP-PM) certifications. A nonprofit founded in 1976, ACRP has grown to more than 20,000 members worldwide today.
The Society of Clinical Research Associates
SoCRA offers Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP). SOCRA is a nonprofit with more than 6,000 members worldwide.
International Association of Clinical Research Nurses (IACRN)
IACRN supports the professional development of clinical research nurses, offered by CRNCC, is designed to establish and maintain excellence in the specialty practice of clinical research nursing through credentialing (CRN-BC).
ACRP, SoCRA, and IACRN are dedicated to ensuring quality clinical research, promoting the protection of research participants, and offering educational opportunities and resources to clinical research professionals. Certification advances the clinical research profession and enhances subject safety, regulatory compliance and the public’s confidence in clinical trials. It is a valuable career development milestone for any clinical research professional.
If you are considering certification, consider what you are trained to do professionally and which option is right for you (side-by-side comparison).