Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Exam Certification There are SEVERAL BENEFITS to obtaining Good Clinical Practice exam certification and maintaining certification. Major CROs and pharmaceutical/biotech companies now encourage certification. Certification assists the public, healthcare professionals and the industry itself by identifying standards for professional practice and provides confidence that those testing our future medicines do so as trained and competent professionals. Certification is the formal recognition of clinical research professionals who have met professional eligibility requirements and demonstrated at least a minimal level of job-related knowledge and skills.
- Exams are conducted twice a year (March & September).
- The new format exam is ICH only.
- There are 3 job title categories of certification: CCRA, CCRC and Investigator
Changes to ACRP Certification
Nucleus Network no longer partners with the Association for Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) to provide GCP certification. However, Nucleus Network strongly recommends this global certification as a benchmark to reflect Australia's top quality researchers.
The major change is that the Certification Exams will be a computer-based test offered through the chosen testing vendor's secure sites. The computer-based testing will also allow instant reads of initial scores, eliminating much of the anxiety of test takers in waiting for their scores. There will also be increased flexibility for test-takers in allowing the test to be taken within a 10-day window rathe rthan only one day in March and September.
The other change not not affect us In Australia - New Zealnd as the testing standard for the exams are now ICH only.
All exam applications will be online. Please consult the ACRP website
What is Certification?
ACRP's certification is formal recognition of clinical research professionals worldwide who have met the professional eligibility requirements and who have demonstrated a basic level of job-related knowledge and skills. Certification is granted in recognition of documented and verified work experience and after successful performance on a multiple-choice exam.
How were the Certification Exams Developed?
Certification exams were developed with the assistance of a professional testing organization (AMP). The Exam Committees (one for CCRC, one for CRA) identify areas of competency for testing, develop appropriate test questions, and have the exams validated. In 2000 the European CCRI Exam Committee was formed in order to develop and fit an exam to the needs in ICH regions for clinical investigators.
What are the Reliability Measurements used during the exams?
After every certification exam, ACRP's CRA Exam Committee:
1. Reviews the results with the assistance of AMP, one of the testing industry's leading firms.
2. Each item is analysed for appropriate psychometric characteristics.
3. Those items with poor statistical results are reviewed by the Exam Committee to ensure that they have been scored properly.
4. Participant feedback, both on the exam and with regards to specific items are also reviewed and taken into consideration for future exams.
What are the benefits of Certification?
1. Certification is increasingly recognized by today's global clinical research industry.
2. Major CROs and pharmaceutical companies now encourage CRA certification.
3. Certification assists the public, healthcare professionals and the industry itself by identifying standards for professional practice.
Where can I find out more information about the exam?
Click on the following links below:
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