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Best clinical research associate certifications
Clinical research associate certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an clinical research associate to employers. However, not all clinical research associate certifications provide the same value for job seekers.
The best certifications for a clinical research associate are Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP), Certified Clinical Research Associate (CCRA), and Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC).
Below is a list of the best clinical research associate certifications. Obtaining an clinical research associate certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
6 best certifications for clinical research associates
| Rank | Clinical research associate certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) | SOCRA |
| 2 | Certified Clinical Research Associate (CCRA) | ACRP |
| 3 | Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC) | ACRP |
| 4 | Clinical Trial Investigator (CTI) | ACRP |
| 5 | Project Management Professional (PMP) | PMI |
| 6 | Professional Researcher Certification (PRC) | IA |
6 best clinical research associate certifications
1. Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP)
Clinical Research Professionals (CRPs) come from a wide variety of backgrounds. CRPs may have backgrounds in nursing, pharmacy, medical technology, business administration, health record maintenance, statistics, biology, teaching, or in other areas. CRPs work in various settings such as cooperative research groups; academic and private institutions; private offices; pharmaceutical, device, and biotechnology companies; Clinical Research Organizations (CROs); Site Management Organizations (SMOs); independent research and development organizations; or organizations involved in the management of clinical trials. These varying backgrounds and settings contribute to the unique knowledge and diverse expertise of CRPs.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
2. Certified Clinical Research Associate (CCRA)
The CRA exam is a measure of the candidate's general and basic knowledge of the information needed to perform his or her on-job duties and responsibilities effectively. Certification is granted in recognition of the candidate's documented education and working experience as a CRA, and successful completion of the written exam. By granting the designation of CRA, ACRP is formally recognizing the professional CRA who has provided evidence that he or she meets these professional standards.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
3. Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC)
Certification is increasingly recognized by today's global clinical research industry. Study sites use certification for documentation to sponsors and CROs that the site is professionally managed.Certification assists the public, healthcare professionals and the industry itself by identifying standards for professional practice.The written CRC examination is a measure of a candidate's knowledge of information needed for the CRC to perform this role effectively and the competent application of that knowledge in the conduct of clinical trials.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
4. Clinical Trial Investigator (CTI)
Certification is granted in recognition of documented and verified work experience, education and after successful performance on a multiple-choice exam. The Academy offers the Clinical Trial Investigator Certification exam to qualified individuals. CTI certification signifies that a clinical research professional possesses a basic knowledge about the conduct of clinical trials and the responsibilities of clinical research. Certification assists the public, other healthcare professionals and the industry, by identifying standards for professional practice.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
5. Project Management Professional (PMP)
The PMP designation following your name tells current and potential employers that you have demonstrated a solid foundation of knowledge from which you can competently practice project management.To be eligible for a PMP Credential, you must first meet specific educational and project management experience requirements and agree to adhere to a code of professional conduct. The final step to becoming a PMP is passing a rigorous multiple-choice examination designed to objectively assess and measure your ability to apply project management knowledge in the following six domains: initiating the project, planning the project, executing the project, monitoring and controlling the project, closing the project, and professional and social responsibility. This computer-based examination is administered globally with translation aids in 10 languages.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
6. Professional Researcher Certification (PRC)
Professional Researcher Certification (PRC) was developed as a powerful tool for researchers of all levels of work experience and education. MRA's goal is to encourage high standards within the profession to raise competency, establish an objective measure of an individual's knowledge and proficiency and to encourage continued professional development.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
What is the best certification for a clinical research associate?
The best clinical research associate certification is Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP). The Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) is awarded by the The Society of Clinical Research Associates. The advanced certification is for more experienced employees as it often requires some work experience to acquire.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this clinical research associate certification:
- To become a certified Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP), you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 3 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for clinical research associates?
The most in-demand clinical research associate certification is Certified Clinical Research Professional based on all active job postings. Having this clinical research associate certification will give you access to more clinical research associate jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a clinical research associate career and salary?
The Certified Clinical Research Professional certification will help you to secure a clinical research coordinator position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A clinical research coordinator's average salary is $50,920 whereas clinical research associates make an average salary of $62,966.
The most common combination of clinical research associate certifications include: Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP), Certified Clinical Research Associate (CCRA), and Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC).
Online courses for clinical research associates to earn certifications
1. Understanding Clinical Research: Behind the Statistics
If you’ve ever skipped over the results section of a medical paper because terms like “confidence interval” or “p-value” go over your head, then you’re in the right place. You may be a clinical practitioner reading research articles to keep up-to-date with developments in your field or a medical student wondering how to approach your own research. Greater confidence in understanding statistical analysis and the results can benefit both working professionals and those undertaking research...
2. Clinical Trials Operations
This specialization is designed for individuals and teams that will be running or interacting with clinical trials. In four courses, learners will develop insights and build the skills they need to design, manage, and monitor clinical trials as well as analyze, document, and communicate the results. Learners will also learn best practices regarding ethics, safety, participant recruitment, regulatory compliance, and reporting standards. The core principles and skills of the specialization will...
3. Good Clinical Practice ICH GCP for Clinical Research
Certification on ICH GCP E6 R2 Good Clinical Practice for Clinical Research The Only Complete Course You Can Find Online...
4. Certificate Course in Clinical Research (CCCR)
A Clinical Research Course-ICH-GCP E6(R2), Clinical Trials, Essential Documents, Sponsor, Investigator, Pharmaceuticals...
5. Clinical Trials Analysis, Monitoring, and Presentation
In this course, you’ll learn more advanced operational skills that you and your team need to run a successful clinical trial. You’ll learn about the computation of sample size and how to develop a sample size calculation that’s suitable for your trial design and outcome measures. You’ll also learn to use statistical methods to monitor your trial for safety, integrity, and efficacy. Next, you’ll learn how to report the results from your clinical trials through both journal articles and data...
6. Clinical Trials Data Management and Quality Assurance
In this course, you’ll learn to collect and care for the data gathered during your trial and how to prevent mistakes and errors through quality assurance practices. Clinical trials generate an enormous amount of data, so you and your team must plan carefully by choosing the right collection instruments, systems, and measures to protect the integrity of your trial data. You’ll learn how to assemble, clean, and de-identify your datasets. Finally, you’ll learn to find and correct deficiencies...
7. Good Clinical Practice for Clinical Research Professionals
The Complete, Certified ICH GCP (R2 & R3) Course for Investigators, Study Coordinators, Sponsors, Monitors and Study staff...
8. The Beginners Course for Clinical Research
The Essentials of Clinical Trials - Clinical Research for Beginners...
9. Drug Development
The University of California San Diego, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Drug Development course brings you lectures from both faculty and industry experts. With this course, recorded on campus at UCSD, we seek to share our access to top people in the field who bring an unprecedented range of expertise on drug development. In this course you will learn the different stages of clinical development as well as the regulatory including but not limited to, an Investigational New...
10. Design and Conduct of Clinical Trials
In this course, you’ll learn how to design and carry out clinical trials. Each design choice has implications for the quality and validity of your results. This course provides you and your team with essential skills to evaluate options, make good design choices, and implement them within your trial. You’ll learn to control for bias, randomize participants, mask treatments and outcomes, identify errors, develop and test hypotheses, and define appropriate outcomes. Finally, a trial without...
11. The Simplest Guide to Clinical Trials Data Analysis with SAS
Step into the world of Pharmaceutical industry Clinical Trials Clinical Research Biostatistics Clinical SAS SAS...
12. Basic of Clinical Data Management
Clinical Data Management...
13. Making Data Science Work for Clinical Reporting
This course is aimed to demonstate how principles and methods from data science can be applied in clinical reporting. By the end of the course, learners will understand what requirements there are in reporting clinical trials, and how they impact on how data science is used. The learner will see how they can work efficiently and effectively while still ensuring that they meet the needed standards...
14. Clinical Data Science
Are you interested in how to use data generated by doctors, nurses, and the healthcare system to improve the care of future patients? If so, you may be a future clinical data scientist!\n\nThis specialization provides learners with hands on experience in use of electronic health records and informatics tools to perform clinical data science. This series of six courses is designed to augment learner’s existing skills in statistics and programming to provide examples of specific challenges,...
15. Clinical Research for beginners
The Art of Publishing - Master Pub Med, Study design, Biostatistics, Journal choice, Manuscript writing & Referencing...
16. Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
Key features of the GCP guideline, roles and responsibilities involved and the requirements of essential documentation...
17. Predictive Modeling and Transforming Clinical Practice
This course teaches you the fundamentals of transforming clinical practice using predictive models. This course examines specific challenges and methods of clinical implementation, that clinical data scientists must be aware of when developing their predictive models...
18. Certificate Course in Drug Regulatory Affairs (DRA)
Pharma course (NDA, ANDA, CTD, DMF, USFDA, Regulatory strategy, GMP, Clinical Research, Orange Book, Pharmaceuticals)...
19. Constructing a Website With Google Sites
For Teachers and Students...
20. Pharmaceutical Industry Drug Regulatory Affairs (DRA)
Empowering Professionals in the Pharmaceutical Industry: A Comprehensive Online Course in Drug Regulatory Affairs...