How to Get Certified as a Clinical Research Associate

Sponsors prefer certified professionals working on their clinical trials. Specifically, a focus is on Certified Clinical Research Associates (CRA) because so much of the clinical trial's success is based on the CRA's monitoring ability. A poor monitoring job can cost a sponsor significant financial lost as well as a big delay in getting the investigational drug product to market. Getting certified make you stand out from the others. It is especially helpful if you do not have many years of hands-on experience to offer and it is a bargaining chip for a good salary. This article will tell you how to get your certification so you can make more money.

Things You'll Need

• Basic knowledge of Good Clinical Practices
• Computer
• Internet access

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Instructions

• 1

  Take a Refresher Good Clinical Practice (GCP)Course

  Monitoring is more than making sure the protocol is followed. Monitoring is about making sure Good Clinical Practices are followed, regardless if it is federal, state, local or international standards. To ensure the regulations are followed, a good Clinical Research Associate is familiar with applicable laws and guidelines. See the resource section below for access to online training classes, including a GCP practice test, to help prepare you for the certification exam.

• 2

  Join a professional organization and network.

  Several organizations provide excellent seminars that can prepare you for the certification. Many of them, like the Association of Clinical Research Professional (ACRP) and the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA) have local affiliates where you can attend seminars and network with colleagues for a lot less than attending a national meeting. Additionally, ACRP offers the CRA certification exam. SOCRA offers a Certified Clinical Research Professional exam which applies to anybody in the clinical research profession, including documentation or regulatory associates and administrative associates who assist with regulatory tasks. Both certifications are respected in the clinical research industry. Network with colleagues and learn what they do and how they handle day-to-day activities.

• 3

  Learn the certification requirements

  Organizations require a certain number of years experience and training before allowing you to take the certification exam. Additionally, you might be asked to provide letters of recommendation from you supervisor or peers. All organizations request proof of your experience and training as a Clinical Research Associate or in the clinical research field. The process takes a little time as they review the documents submitted to ensure you are qualified to sit for the exam, therefore, it is important that you register far enough in advance to allow you to take the test at the testing center of choice. The tests are generally available several times throughout the year in various locations.

• 4

  Study, Practice and Then Study Again!

  In the United States, you will probably need to know the applicable 21 Code of Federal Regulations in addition to the ICH Guidelines. After studying the Good Clinical Practice guidelines and regulations, take a practice test to assess your GCP knowledge. An excellent practice test with a minimum of 100 questions can be found at http://www.wqats.com/Training.html. The cost is minimal and well-worth the investment! Once you have taken the test, you will have a better understanding about what you "know" and don't know. Use your time studying the areas you didn't pass on the practice test. Afterwards, you should be ready to take the exam and become a Certified Clinical Research Associate.