OPHS Human Subjects Training Requirement

The University of Oregon's human research protection program was created to safeguard the rights and welfare of the participants who volunteer their involvement in research at this institution. In order to be in compliance with federal regulations, researchers must complete ongoing training of the relevant ethical principles and federal regulations regarding the conduct of human subjects research.

As of February 1, 2007, every investigator who is conducting human subjects research must complete ethics training before his or her protocol application is approved. In addition, faculty members who advise students conducting such research must also complete training. There are currently two ways for researchers and advisors to fulfill the education requirement:

• The Collaborative IRB Training Initiative (CITI)
• The new National Institutes of Health (NIH) online training

Both programs are offered on-line in module format and can be completed in sections. Completion certificates are valid for two years; after two years, a refresher course must be completed.

For background on the adoption of the human subjects training certification process, click here.