In 2000, the NIH enacted a policy (NOT-OD-00-039) requiring that study or "key" personnel involved in human subjects research complete education in the protection of those subjects. At UAB, study personnel are required to complete an approved “initial’ training option and to complete an approved "continuing" option once during every 3-year period.
The training requirement applies to all key personnel, including
- all investigators—principal, co-principal, or other investigators;
- all persons involved in the consent process—discussing participation or obtaining consent;
- all persons engaged in the design, conduct, analysis, or reporting of the research.
The HRPP will not approve a protocol unless all study personnel have completed the required training. Although some human subjects research is exempt from HRPP review, NIH requires investigators conducting such research to complete training in the protection of human subjects.
Training is available in languages other than English for non-UAB staff and community workers on protocols conducted outside the United States. Before using non-English training, investigators should contact the HRPP for guidance and then clearly describe the training plan in the HSP.
Initial HRPP Training
The initial training requirement may be met in several ways. The most popular options are listed below:
- CITI Basic Course in Human Research Protections
- NIH Protecting Human Research Participants
- Investigator 101 WebCT Course
Instructions for course registration and HRPP certification are posted on the Initial HRPP Training web page.
New faculty members or researchers may begin or continue their research if they provide certification of completing (a) the CITI biomedical or behavioral course or (b) a training course intended to meet the federal HRPP training requirements that is offered by another institution that holds a Federalwide Assurance (FWA). Persons submitting certification of a training course other than the CITI course should also submit a description of the course (e.g., syllabus, course objectives and outline). Depending on the date when the "transferred" training was completed, continuing HRPP training may also be required.
Continuing HRPP Training
Continuing HRPP training is required once every 3 years. The Continuing HRPP Training web page lists approved options. Individuals who plan to attend events not in that list but related to human subjects research may submit an agenda or synopsis of the event before attending so the HRPP may determine if training credit can be given for that event.
Certification and Record-Keeping
Depending upon the event, the person completing the training may have to send the training completion certificate to the HRPP. Currently, the HRPP is automatically notified of courses completed through CITI or through UAB WebCT. All other online options require filing the verification, as described on the HRPP Training web site.
Individuals are required to keep accurate and up-to-date records of their HRPP training. The HRPP maintains records of individuals´ HRPP training for protocols reviewed by the HRPP. These records can be viewed online from any on-campus computer through the HRPP e-reports system.
To certify HRPP training to sponsors, investigators use the information in HRPP e-reports to complete a form that is available from the Office of Sponsored Programs. That form and instructions can be found at the OSP Forms web page.
Please direct any questions about HRPP training to the HRPP (934-3789,