CCRC Exam Committee

The mission of the Academy’s Global Exam Committees is to uphold the integrity of the ACRP’s certification programs by using psychometrically sound practices to develop examinations that meet the current test specifications as determined by the most recent Job Task Analysis (JTA).

Purpose and Scope
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the ongoing development of the ACRP-CP®, CCRA®, CCRC®, and CPI® examinations, and applies to all exam committees of the Academy.

Responsibilities
These committees play a crucial role in the exam development process. To ensure the fairness, validity, and integrity of ACRP’s examinations, exam committee members will use psychometric best practices to ensure the examinations effectively measure the knowledge, skills, and tasks as identified by ACRP’s most recent JTA. Responsibilities typically include:

• Always maintaining the security and confidentiality of examination materials.
• Reviewing and approving items, ensuring each item: tests appropriate skill level; is linked to topics identified in the Exam Content Outline (ECO); has a viable reference; is keyed correctly; is appropriate for all segments of the candidate population in terms of context, setting, language, descriptions, and terminology; is free of bias or stereotyping.
• Developing a repository of items for inclusion on future examinations.
• Issuing assignments to Item Writers by reviewing the item bank and identifying underrepresented topics in the ECO.
• Reviewing and approving examination forms for administration to the candidate population.
• Reviewing and approving retired items to develop ACRP’s practice exam item bank.
• Reviewing, revising, and evaluating draft items submitted by Item Writers/Subject Matter Experts for potential inclusion as pre-test items.
• Writing items as necessary for the examination; item references or rationales.
• Serving as a global ambassador to promote ACRP certification.

Committee Composition

• The committee will consist of at least five but not more than eight members.
• The committee will be comprised of subject matter experts (SME’s) and include a chair, a vice chair, and a staff liaison.
• Committee members must hold the current certification for the committee they are serving on.
• The demographic makeup of committee members will be based on the relative demographics of exam candidates and shall include a proportionate representation. (Multiple representations may be satisfied by one or more committee members.)

Skills and Expertise

• Committee members must keep current with changes and trends in clinical research.
• Committee members must spend at least 50% of their professional time engaged in the practice of clinical research, and in the specialty area for the Global Exam Committee they represent.
• Committee members must be able to meet virtually up to three times per year.
• Committee members will be required to take the certification examination at least once a year.
• Committee members must complete item writer training and demonstrate a proven ability to write good test items.
• Due to the nature of the examination, committee members must have an above average understanding of ICH guidelines.

Roles

• The Chair is responsible for leadership and facilitating meetings and acting as the primary liaison with relevant stakeholders.
• In the absence of the Chair, the Vice Chair is responsible for leadership and facilitating the work of the committee.
• The Staff Liaison provides all necessary support to the Chair, Vice Chair, and all the committee members to facilitate the work of the committee, including setting up meetings and helping to prepare the materials.

Term

• Committee members will serve one, three-year term with an option to serve one additional sequential term of three years.
• Members may return to serving the committee, per the needs of the committee, after a one-year break in service.
• If a committee member has served two three-year terms, they may be appointed for an additional one-year term at the discretion of the Academy Board Chair if it serves the best interest of the program.

Limits

• Committee members will not participate in the development or delivery of any educational or training program designed or intended to prepare individuals to take the certification examinations offered by the Academy during their service or employment and for at least two years afterward.
• Committee members are restricted from taking the certification examination associated with their respective committees, for any purpose other than exam development, during their service or employment and for at least two years afterward.
• The Academy will take measures to prevent any individual or group from exerting undue or disproportionate influence.

MONITORING AND REVIEW SCHEDULE
Monitor as needed and review every two years by the Academy Board of Trustees.

DATES REVIEWED BY THE ACADEMY BoT
December 12, 2023
DATES MODIFIED BY THE ACADEMY BoT
December 12, 2023
DATES APPROVED BY THE ACADEMY BoT
December 12, 2023