Stand out from the crowd with the only internationally recognised professional accreditation for clinical
research associates.

Showcase best practice standards set by the industry providing reassurance to patients and sponsors.

Buy Now or Pay Later. Spread the cost over 4 interest-free monthly smaller payments. Reserve your enrollment date now.

 

Enroll now

6 Learning Credits and 60 CPE Points

What Sponsors, CROs and Sites Say

“The industry has come to realize that more training and more experience does not necessarily equate to competence in the field……By being able to measure competence against globally recognised best practices, we’re able to give our customers the confidence to know that the [skills of] monitors assigned to their studies have been validated against an independent quality standard.”

CEO, Global Leading CRO

“Qualifying staff to work in clinical trials based on number of years’ experience provides false reassurance of quality and also fuels the industry’s talent crisis....When an individual gains IAOCR accreditation I know they have been robustly competence checked……The IAOCR approach reduces risk to clinical research and provides a reliable and trusted pathway for new talent.”

Chief Scientific Officer, Global Pharmaceutical Company

“Quality is at the heart of everything we do, IAOCR accreditation values and empowers research professionals to deliver high quality and safe clinical studies, which is vital for participants and the wider R&D ecosystem.”

Head of Research and Development, one of the UK’s largest NHS Trusts

“We are always working on ways to improve quality and efficiency in our clinical trials, which means having a fantastic team and maintaining them. We implemented the IAOCR individual accreditations as a way of externally assessing our team's understanding and application of ICH GCP to their roles and duties, as well as assessing their wider understanding of clinical trials. We also want to support professional development, and this accreditation, if achieved, provides a personal professional accreditation which will stay with them.”

UK Director of Clinical Trials, Site Management Organization

Key Benefits

Validate your local clinical research experience on a global platform.

Demonstrate your competency by meeting the industry's international quality standards.

Verify qualifications to proof against fraud.

Entry Requirements

Before enrolling for the accreditation, you will need to self-certify that your career background and experience aligns with the competency areas that will be assessed in the accreditation assessment process.
Learn More

Accreditation Process

  • Online Assessment: Includes multiple-choice questions and scenario-based questions requiring free text answers
  • Certification: Receive your Certificate of Accreditation and Professional Accreditation Mark within 6 weeks of submission

CRA Competency Areas

The accreditation covers clinical trial legislation, ethics, site management, data management, quality assurance and more.
See the complete list

If you’re seeking accredited status and don’t meet the full competency requirements for this program, consider our Foundation Level accreditation.

See our foundation level

Enroll Now

Internationally Qualified Clinical Research Associate Accreditation

Internationally Qualified CRA Accreditation

Buy Now or Pay Later: Spread the cost of your accreditation journey over 4 interest-free monthly payments. No interest or added fees when you pay on time and you’ll receive your accreditation documents after the last payment.

Registration dates:

  • September 2024 Cohort: Register by 17 Sep, start on 19 Sep, submit by 17 Oct
  • November 2024 Cohort: Register by 12 Nov, start on 14 Nov, submit by 12 Dec
  • January 2025 Cohort: Register by 07 Jan, start on 09 Jan, submit by 16 Feb
  • March 2025 Cohort: Register by 04 Mar, start 06 Mar, submit by 03 Apr

IAOCR Credentials and Quality Assurance

  • Mapped to the International Standard Classification of Education Framework developed by UNESCO
  • Mapped to relevant Core Global Competency Frameworks
  • Dual-stage assessment and verification of competence
  • Participants awarded IAOCR Internationally Qualified Professional Status

  • Combined award of 8 x internationally valid learning credits + 80 CPE (Continuing Professional Education) Points (for CRA and ICH-GCP double accreditation)

Program Highlights

Global Industry Recognition

Developed and endorsed with global industry experts. This certification will truly set you apart in your profession

Internationally Accepted Certification

Mapped to UNESCO’s International Standard Classification of Education framework. 80 CPE Points and 8 Internationally Valid Learning Credits

Independent Verification

IAOCR’s unique 2-step verification ensures the most robust accreditation and respected accreditation in the industry

Comprehensive Assessment

Validates essential core global competencies for CRAs and ICH-GCP

Professional Certification

Earn the title of Internationally Qualified Clinical Research Associate (Q-IAOCR)

Commitment to Professional Development

8 Learning Credits & 80 CPE Points

Frequently Asked Questions

CRA Competency Areas
  • Legislation and regulation of clinical trials
  • Ethics and ICH-GCP
  • Rights and wellbeing of patients in a clinical trial
  • Managing site and investigator relationships
  • Principles of clinical study management
  • Principles clinical trial site management
  • Principles of pharmacovigilance
  • Principles of data management
  • Document control and record keeping (including TMF/eTMF)
  • Management of the investigational medicinal product (IMP)
  • Principles of contracts and financial management
  • Principles of quality assurance and quality control
How was the CRA Accreditation Developed?

The Internationally Qualified Clinical Research Associate (Q-IAOCR) professional standard was developed in conjunction with global clinical research experts from across the industry. This independently accredited program uses assessment criteria mapped to the International Standard Classification of Education developed by UNESCO. The accreditation exam is underpinned by the core competency frameworks ratified by the industry; it enables successful participants to achieve accreditation and international professional recognition as a ‘world-class’ Clinical Research Associate.

Individuals must provide evidence that they can demonstrate all the relevant core competencies expected of a competent Clinical Research Associate. The accreditation process is focused on ensuring someone has the skills, knowledge and behaviors to fulfil their role safely and credibly, measured against a set of robust accredited assessment criteria which have been developed from the core competency framework validated by the industry.

What does the Accreditation assessment involve?

Once you have enrolled, normally one working day before the program start date, you will be sent a link to access your online assessment portal. The assessment is a blend of multiple-choice questions, questions requiring free text answers and scenarios designed to assess your competence as a Clinical Research Associate. Upon completion of your assessment, your answers will be submitted to the IAOCR Assessment team for review and independent verification.

What will I receive if I successfully pass the accreditation?
  • A Certificate of Accreditation
  • A Professional Accreditation Mark (displaying your award date, unique registration number and the title of your accreditation)
  • The Designatory letters Q-IAOCR – Internationally Qualified Clinical Research Associate
  • Note: Accreditation documents are normally awarded within 6 weeks of assessment submission
How Long Does it Take to Complete the Assessment?

On average, the CRA Accreditation assessment takes up to 4 hours to complete for an experienced CRA. The ICH-GCP Accreditation assessment (which is completed separately) takes up to 1 hour.

You can complete the assessments in your own time (within the timeframe provided) and you do not have to complete it all at once as you will have access to your portal until the submission deadline. You must ensure that your final submission adheres to the deadline for assessment submission according to your program start date (see table in program registration section).

 

What are the Entry Requirements?

The CRA accreditation exam is aimed at experienced clinical research professionals (with relevant experience as a CRA or a related role) seeking professional recognition, no training is included. Therefore, before enrolling for the accreditation, you will need to self-certify that your career background and experience aligns with the competency areas that will be assessed in the accreditation assessment process.

I already have CRA Certification with another provider – why do I need this?

The Q-IAOCR Accreditation for Clinical Research Associates compliments and enhances any other CRA Certifications or CRA Credentials you may hold. IAOCR accreditations are the only clinical research certifications in the industry that provide formal international professional recognition due to the way they are developed (with the global industry) and mapped to the International International Standard Classification of Education framework developed by UNESCO. The unique 2 step assessment and independent verification process makes IAOCR accreditations the most robust in the industry, which is why certification with IAOCR can elevate you to the highest professional status.

I am a highly experienced CRA, why do I need this accreditation?
IAOCR is committed to working with the industry to support the formal recognition of clinical research as a profession and to help combat CV/resume fraud, which is becoming an increasingly widespread concern for employers.

Clinical research professionals achieving accreditation with IAOCR are able to demonstrate to employers that they are committed to working to global best practice standards.
Accreditation provides the highest level of professional recognition available – evidencing that you have been robustly assessed to standards agreed with leading global employers.

The distinctive quality mark and unique professional identification number provides reassurance that you are a world-class CRA.
Gain the professional recognition you deserve as highly qualified and experienced professional that’s working at the top of your field!