Clinical Trials BC
Clinical research professional (CRP) certification program
Clinical Trials BC provides financial and resource support to clinical research professionals at BC academic-based or health authority-affiliated research sites who want to become certified by the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA), the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) or the Society of Quality Assurance (SQA).
Why get certified?
Achieving certification demonstrates that you have met or exceeded the quality standards required in the industry and have validated your competence. Certification also demonstrates a level of professionalism and indicates a commitment to quality that is internationally recognized.
Certification can lead to:
- Increased job responsibility
- Greater career advancement opportunities
- More employment opportunities
- Recognition including promotions
- Bonuses and salary increases
Research shows certification results in:
- Higher enrollment rates
- Lower protocol deviations
- Fewer regulatory warning letters
- Improved regulatory compliance
- Better inspection performance
Eligible certifications
New eligible certification: SQA RQAP-GCP
Society of Quality Assurance (SQA) is a nonprofit membership society for regulatory quality assurance professionals. The SQA offers the Registered Quality Assurance Professional (RQAP-GCP) credential for professionals working in Good Clinical Practices. The credential is a recognized standard of experience and knowledge throughout the quality assurance industry around the world.
A Quality Assurance professional is one who, through qualification experience and training, performs audits, evaluates, and inspects against compliance requirements.
The Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) offers two eligible certifications: CCRC® and ACRP-CP®. The ACRP-CP® credential is awarded to professionals involved in all aspects of clinical studies/trials who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform ethical and responsible clinical research. The CCRC® credential is awarded to clinical research coordinators (CRCs) who have met eligibility requirements and demonstrated proficiency in specific knowledge and job-related skills.
The Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA) established the Certification Program for Clinical Research Professionals (CCRPs) to create an internationally accepted level of knowledge, education and experience by which clinical research professionals can be recognized by the medical research community. SoCRA offers paper and pencil exams and computer-based testing.
Exam preparation support
To help you prepare for your certification exam, Clinical Trials BC has compiled a bundle of resources, including a series of consecutive informal exam preparation sessions and practice tests.
You can also access the Clinical Research Professional Certification Exam Study Prep electronic Community of Practice (eCoP) for useful links, recordings, presentation slides and documents to help you prepare for your exam. To register for access to the eCoP:
Exam costs and reimbursement
Clinical Trials BC offers a partial reimbursement of $450 towards CCRP, CCRC or RQAP-GCP examination fees for successful applicants who work for academic health research organizations where clinical trials are conducted in British Columbia (i.e. health authority, university).
Funding is available for up to 20 successful applicants.
To apply for funding reimbursement, applicants must register first with the certifying association, then apply to Clinical Trials BC for eligibility for reimbursement.
Please review the Application and Fee sections of each organization for costs.
How to apply for Clinical Trials BC reimbursement funds
Applicants are required to apply prior to writing their exam by submitting a package to Clinical Trials BC that includes:
- A copy of the applicant’s application to SoCRA, ACRP, or SQA
- A copy of the applicant’s CV/resume
- A letter to Clinical Trials BC outlining the following details:
- Why certification is important to them
- How it will benefit them in their role as a clinical research professional
- Their career aspirations
Clinical Trials BC will review applications and notify successful candidates of their eligibility for reimbursement prior to their certification exam. For pre-approval submit the package to the attention of Alison Orth, Director, Clinical Trials BC by emailing certification@healthresearchbc.ca.
Want to hear certified clinical research professionals sharing their experiences in taking the exams?
In this webinar, certified professionals share their personal experiences writing certification exams and discuss hot tips and resources to help you prepare for exams in hybrid or remote settings.
Feedback from program participants
“I highly recommend every research professional consider taking the next step to obtain certification through the Clinical Trials BC certification program. The resources provided definitely made studying much easier and the partial reimbursement was motivating. Certification was most validating, but also intrinsically rewarding and a boost to my professional self-confidence. There’s no better time to certify than the present.” – Tara Martin
“Thanks to Clinical Trials BC, I was able to take and pass the SOCRA examination in May 2021. Because of the financial support I received, I had less worry about the cost. The resources and materials available on ECoP helped a lot during my exam preparation. I especially liked the question bank. Since being certified, it helps boost my confidence in my current role as a clinical research coordinator at Fraser Health.” – Siti Rahmaputri
“I am grateful for the support offered by Clinical Trials BC. This program demonstrates their willingness to support research staff in professional development endeavours and facilitates training and certification in the field.” – Vanessa Dizonno
“Being able to participate in the Clinical Research Professional Development Exam Preparation Sessions which was hosted by Clinical Trials BC was a life changer! The learnings derived from the extensive clinical research and trials experience, and the best practices that Alison Orth and the entire team at Clinical Trials BC have imparted me have helped tremendously when I finally took and passed my SOCRA CCRP certification. Everyone at Clinical Trials BC is amazingly wonderful! I have nothing but awe and gratitude for all their kindness, dedication and support all throughout my professional research journey. Thank you all, very very much!” – Program Participant