The Association of Clinical Research Professionals
CCRA Certification
CCRA® (Certified Clinical Research Associate) is a credential formally recognizing clinical research professionals with experience monitoring and supervising the conduct and progress of clinical trials on behalf of a sponsor.
This trusted mark of excellence in clinical research is awarded to clinical researchers who have demonstrated proficiency of specific knowledge and skills by passing the standardized CCRA® Certification Exam.
Clinical research professional with 3,000 hours of verifiable work experience are eligible to sit for the CCRA® Exam. Complete eligibility criteria is defined in the Academy’s policy manual.
What Qualifies as Work Experience?
Work related to human subject research
Paid contractual agreement – employer/employee
Can be verified by ACRP through employer
What is Excluded from Work Experience?
Any work that is part of a degree track or education program
Any experience older than ten years
Internships paid or unpaid
ACRP may grant one experience waiver amounting to 1,500 hours of work experience to applicants who meet one of the following criteria:
Hold an active ACRP certification
Have successfully completed a clinical research education program*
What Qualifies as a Clinical Research Education Program*?
Must be aligned with the topics found in the corresponding Detailed Content Outline (DCO)
Must have a valid third-party accreditation
Must provide applicants with knowledge that is equivalent to 1,500 hours of knowledge earned through employment
*Program approval is at the discretion of ACRP and will not be reviewed or pre-approved outside of a paid application.
The CCRA® exam consists of 125 multiple choice questions that must be answered within 180 minutes.
The exam is referenced only to the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) Guidelines. No other regulatory framework is tested, including country-specific regulations (i.e, FDA or EMA).
The following are the only references for which the CCRA® Certification exam content can be supported:
Review the Detailed Content Outline and make sure your experience and work hours are appropriate, as outlined in the Eligibility tab.
We also strongly encourage you to review the entire ACRP Certification Handbook, which provides full details about every facet of ACRP Certification.
Create a free ACRP account so you can begin the application process. Follow the on-screen prompts to enter any requested information and documentation.
If you already have an ACRP account, please proceed to step three.
You’re almost there! Please note, applications selected for audit will undergo a formal review by ACRP’s subject matter experts. In most instances, you will receive a status update about your application within 10 business days.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, ACRP will provide reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities. Please complete this special accommodations form for submission with your application before proceeding.
ACRP’s testing partner PSI offers in-person testing, as well as on-demand remote testing available 24 hours a day, every day, during the testing windows.
Watch these videos to learn what to expect from each option before scheduling your exam.
REMEMBER: The exam is referenced only to the International Conference on Harmonization Guidelines. No other regulatory framework is tested, including country-specific regulations (i.e, FDA or EMA).
We also recommend leaning on your community! Thousands of ACRP Certified members have been in your shoes. They are active community members and always willing to share tips and advice for ACRP exam prep.
Exam results are shared immediately at the conclusion of your exam, but PSI will send you an email with your full score report within 24 hours.
Your ACRP account will reflect your results within 24 hours.
Congratulations! You just passed a major milestone on your professional journey and are now a member of the elite club of ACRP Certified clinical research professionals.
Keep an eye on your email because you will soon receive information from our digital badging partner Credly about claiming your digital badge and how you can use it to tout your accomplishment. Also learn how to use your new credential by reviewing the Certification Mark policy.
You have 2 years to keep your certification in good standing by continuing your professional development, and we’ll be right there with you every step of the way. In the meantime, we highly recommend you review all the details about Maintenance of Certification. Don’t leave it to the last minute!
Don’t worry. It happens to the best of us. Give it another try!
Refer to your ACRP Certification Examination Results email or the ACRP Certification Handbook for guidance on the next steps in your certification journey.
Upcoming Testing Dates
Spring 2025 Testing
February 15 – May 15, 2025
Fall 2025 Testing July 15 – October 15, 2025
Registration Dates and Fees
Early Bird Registration
ACRP Members – $435
Nonmembers – $485 Spring 2025: October 21 – December 31, 2024 Fall 2025: May 15 – July 15, 2025
Regular Registration
ACRP Members – $460
Nonmembers – $600 Spring 2025: January 1 – April 30 Fall 2025: July 16 – September 30
Join ACRP & Save
Joining ACRP helps you save money. More importantly, ACRP is where you will find the very best of what you need to design a career path that’s uniquely your own. Connections through an engaged community. Growth through gold-standard training. And elevation through rigorous certification.
Congratulations on your decision to earn the most recognized and respected endorsement of clinical research competency — ACRP Certification. As you start this important journey in your career, we’re here to support you every step of the way.