How to Apply for Clinical Research Coordinator Certification Examinations and
Obtain Reimbursement of Registration and Membership Fees

The North Shore-LIJ Health System Clinical Research Coordinator Council (CRCC) is proud to promote a career ladder and job specific competencies for research coordinators. Administration at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research supports this effort by providing logistical, financial, and leadership support.

Research investigators and coordinators, who are eligible to sit for a certification exam in clinical research, are authorized to apply for an Alliance Coordinator Award. Each Alliance Coordinator Award is based on an application and award process for up to 20 coordinators and investigators a year and provides the necessary funds to reimburse for membership, registration for the certification exam, and practice tests. Note that applicants must pass the exam to be eligible for full reimbursement. ACRP requires a non-refundable $110 fee for registration, which will be covered by the scholarship if awarded. However, if you cancel your exam registration, this fee will not be covered by the scholarship. Application deadlines are rolling, however funds are limited and each application will be judged on its merits and subject to peer review by the coordinator council.

How to Apply for Certification

Two national certifying agencies are recognized by Feinstein as eligible for cost reimbursement.

Association for Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) Certification:
• Complete on-line application for the ACRP examination by going to www.acrpnet.org  

Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA) Certification:
• Complete on-line application for SoCRA by going to www.socra.org  

How to Apply for Reimbursement of Costs

Complete the  Application for Reimbursement : Your application will be reviewed by members of the Clinical Research Coordinator Council, the Office of the IRB, Office of Research Compliance and Feinstein Leadership. Awardees will be notified in writing as to the disposition of their application. If awarded, applicants will be instructed to register for membership and the examination. Applications will be processed on a rolling basis, however please submit all applications at least 30 days prior to the test registration processing deadline to allow sufficient time for review.

Successful Completion of Examination and Reimbursement of Registration Fee: You will be expected to register for the examination and pay up front. Upon proof of registration, you will be reimbursed half of the fees. E-mail a copy of the receipt for registration to Veronica Giarratano in the Office of IRB/Research Compliance at vgiarrat@nshs.edu .

You will be notified by e-mail of the results of your examination. Upon receipt of confirmation that you passed the examination, you will be eligible for reimbursement of the remaining portion of the application fee. For reimbursement, e-mail a copy of your official test results to Veronica Giarratano at the Office of IRB/Research Compliance at  vgiarrat@nshs.edu  .

Reimbursement for late fees, cancellations or for examinations that were not passed is not authorized.

Yearly Membership Fees

A yearly membership fee is required for both the ACRP and SoCRA. Alliance Coordinator Scholarship Awardees will have this fee covered. In order to process payment, the Office of Research Compliance must be notified via e-mail 30 days prior to expiration of your membership. E-mail a copy of your membership documents with a request for annual coverage of membership fees to Veronica Giarratano at the Office of IRB/Research Compliance at vgiarrat@nshs.edu. The Office of the IRB/Research Compliance will pay the organization directly and provide you with a copy of payment confirmation.

Maintaining Your Certification

ACRP Certification: Must be renewed every 2 years, with payment of the renewal fee  

• Must complete 24 documented continuing education contact hours, with the minimum of 12 hours in clinical research.
   
• You will receive an e-mail reminder from ACRP 3 months prior to expiration of current certification to report CME for renewal.
   
• Note you do not need to be a member to maintain your certification.
   
• A new Alliance Coordinator Scholarship Application must be submitted to receive reimbursement for renewal.
   

SoCRA Certification: Must be renewed every 3 years, with payment of renewal fee

• Must complete 45 hours of continuing education applicable to your work in clinical research
   
• Must successfully complete a self-administered knowledge test, which is included with the recertification reminder packet.
   
• CCRC’s must maintain their membership yearly in order to renew their certification.
   
• A new Alliance Coordinator Scholarship Application must be submitted to receive reimbursement for renewal.

Continuing Education Opportunities

• Departmental Grand Rounds and the North Shore-LIJ Institute for Nursing Education offer CME and Continuing Education Credits, more information and schedule of events can be located on healthport.

• Public Research Education Program or PREP: PREP courses are short 1-2 hour targeted seminars on specific topics of interest and offer CEU and CME credit. Courses are free, a la carte and individuals may choose to take as many courses as they would like. Registration is required and may be located on healthport.

• The Feinstein Institute’s regularly scheduled seminars: Seminars in Investigative Medicine (Tuesdays at noon) and Research in Progress (Thursdays at noon) offer continuing education credit and are targeted scientific research talks by outside speakers (usually Tuesdays) and our own research teams (usually Thursdays). All talks are held in the Goldman International Conference Center and are open to all employees, pre-registration is not required.

• ACRP offers many other ways to obtain CME credit; information can be found on their website. http://www.acrpnet.org/MainMenuCategory/Education.aspx  

• SoCRA offers ways to obtain CME credit; information can be found on their website. http://www.socra.org/html/education.htm