Once certification is achieved, it is valid for two (2) years. To remain certified and to continue using the designation after two (2) years, it is mandatory that certified individuals apply for Maintenance of Certification.
CRS requires continuous maintenance of certification to ensure that certified individuals engage in activities or endeavors that demonstrate their commitment to professional development in clinical research. Through the maintenance of certification requirements set by CRS, certified individuals demonstrate strengthening of their knowledge of clinical research.
Certifications must be maintained every two (2) years from the time of original Certification. Maintenance of certification requires the completion of 24 documented hours of activity. This can be achieved through the combination of accumulating credits through Continuing Research Education (CRE) AND/OR accumulating credits through Continuing Professional Engagement (CPE).
Continuing Research Education (CRE):
Comprises of contact hours (online or classroom) of training in core clinical research areas. Following activities can be used towards CRE credits:
1. Contact Training Sessions
2. Online Training Sessions
3. Webinars
4. Attendance at Conferences
Continuing Professional Engagement (CPE):
Comprises of hours spent in activities that demonstrates the certified individuals commitment towards professional development. Following activities can be used towards CPE credits:
1. Authoring a Journal Article
2. Preparing or delivering a presentation at a meeting/conference/trade show
3. Conducting a half-day workshop in any area of clinical research
4. Conducting a full-day workshop in any area of clinical research
The following tables provide more information on various CRE and CPE activities:
| Training in Clinical Research Topics | ||
| Training in Therapeutic Areas of Medicine | ||
| Skills Training ( Any skills that are directly needed while performing day-to-day activities. |
| Authoring a journal article in Clinical Research | ||
| Preparing/presenting a 1-2 hour presentation on Clinical Research Topics | ||
| Conducting a half-day (4 hours) workshop on Clinical Research Topics | ||
| Conducting a full-day (8 hours) workshop on Clinical Research Topics |
Certified Individuals who do not acheive full maintenance of their certification(s) before the end of two years will be decertified. A one month grace period can be provided for submission of documents as evidence for the required CRE/CPE credits along with the late payment fee. Individuals who fail to maintain certification will be decertified and will receive written notification to this effect.
If you would like more information on how you can maintain your certification, please write to us at certification(at)clinicalresearchsociety.org