The CIP® exam was developed by the Council for Certification of IRB Professionals (CCIP) with substantial input from leading members of the HRPP/IRB community. The exam is administered by PSI/AMP and is offered twice yearly at testing sites around the world.
The CIP exam covers information determined by the CCIP to demonstrate a standard level of knowledge about human subjects research review under the rules and regulations of the United States. Candidates are tested on the common body of knowledge relevant to all IRBs, including those overseeing behavioral and biomedical research, to ensure that credential holders are trained to use their skills in a variety of IRB environments.
The CIP examination consists of a maximum of 250 objective, multiple-choice questions, takes four hours to complete, and covers:
- Foundations and concepts of IRB practice
- Organizational and personnel knowledge
- IRB functions and operations
- Records and reports
The examination is based on federal regulations and guidance, not the policies and procedures developed by individual institutions.
