The Association of Clinical Research Professionals

CRC Core Competency Foundations™

For organizations seeking to onboard new Clinical Research Coordinators (CRCs) and establish consistency in foundational knowledge across study teams, ACRP’s CRC Core Competency Foundations™ training program delivers practical, hands-on learning grounded in real-world protocol execution.

Cost-effective, customizable, and scalable across a broad range of clinical research settings, this program provides an ideal solution for onboarding new CRCs and accelerating their path to competency.

Program Format

This blended learning program combines live instructor-led training with independent learning activities. Participants complete activities between live sessions, allowing classroom time to focus on discussion, problem-solving, and the practical application of core clinical research concepts. The program can be customized to align with organizational goals, priorities, and workforce needs. The training may be delivered virtually or in person.

Prerequisites

Basic foundational knowledge about clinical trials and drug/device development processes, protocol designs, and Good Clinical Practice.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to: 

  • Describe CRC responsibilities, competency expectations, and contributions to participant protection, data reliability, and quality throughout the clinical trial life cycle. 
  • Explain CRC responsibilities for participant recruitment, informed consent support, eligibility confirmation, retention, safety communication, and ethical trial conduct. 
  • Apply protocol requirements to study visits, documentation, data collection, essential records, and investigational product activities using fit-for-purpose practices. 
  • Identify protocol deviations, safety concerns, data issues, and other compliance risks using risk-proportionate and quality-focused approaches. 
  • Demonstrate effective communication, study coordination, documentation, and relationship-management practices with investigators, sponsors, monitors, IRBs/IECs, service providers, and trial participants. 

Program Features

  • Facilitated by dedicated ACRP subject matter experts
  • Delivered through a combination of independent learning and instructor-led training
  • Designed to engage participants through multiple instructional methods, including text, audio, and hands-on learning activities
  • Cohort-based learning designed to promote collaboration and an engaging learning environment
  • Flexible delivery options including in-person and virtual formats
  • Flexible timelines that help professionals balance training with day-to-day responsibilities
  • Concludes with an assessment to measure achievement of learning outcomes
  • Learners earn ACRP contact hours to support ACRP Certification maintenance (if applicable)

Topics Covered

  • Introduction to Clinical Research and the Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) Role
  • Clinical Trial Stakeholders, Roles, and Responsibilities
  • Essential Records and Regulatory Oversight
  • Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Protection of Trial Participants
  • Data Integrity and ALCOA-C Principles
  • Participant Recruitment, Retention, and Informed Consent Support
  • Participant Safety and Adverse Event Reporting
  • Investigational Product Management and Accountability
  • Protocol Compliance, Monitoring, and Risk-Based Quality Management
  • Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA)
  • Study Feasibility and Site Selection
  • Effective Communication and Study Coordination
  • Practical Application of CRC Responsibilities Through Real-World Scenarios