CITI Program

Required IRB Training

Collaborative IRB Training Initiative: The CITI Program

Educational training in human subjects ethics is mandated by the Office of Human Research Protections (OHRP), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). If your research is externally funded, your funding agency may require additional training.

Federal regulations require that all key personnel are trained appropriate to their involvement with human participants. Currently, OHRP is working to provide further guidance and increased requirements. In the meantime, SUNY Cortland defines key personnel as anyone (on or off campus) who has direct contact with participants (in any way, at any time) or individuals who has access to private information from participants that is not yet anonymously coded. These individuals could include, but are not limited to, the investigator, co-investigators, students, research assistants/staff, off-site location staff, and individuals involved in data management who have access to private information that is not coded (e.g., data entry operator who has access to names or could ascertain the identity of an individual from the data).

To meet OHRP training and education requirements, SUNY Cortland uses the online CITI Program. This course provides an introduction to the history, emergence, and implementation of protections/regulations conducting research with human subjects in the U.S.. RSPO funds the CITI Program for SUNY Cortland; individuals conducting research who are affiliated with SUNY Cortland can enroll and complete CITI Program modules at no cost.

Funding agencies may also require the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) course. Materials for the RCR course can be beneficial to those new to human subjects research, research assistants, staff, or students. These materials can be used in courses as well. Links to these optional documents appear below.

• Introduction to the Responsible Conduct of Research (PDF) (PHS-ORI)
• Ethical Dilemmas in Research Integrity (PDF) (PHS-ORI)
• Links or documents to other materials, including many specialty courses are available at the Office of Research Integrity website.

Accessing the Collaborative IRB Training Initiative (CITI)

Accessing and enrolling in the CITI Program is relatively straightforward. First, download and read these enrollment instructions.

It is likely that you will need multiple online sessions to complete the Basic Social Behavioral Course modules. Quiz grades for completed modules are saved online and you can resume the tutorial when you login during a subsequent session. The average time needed to complete the Basic Course is between 2-4 hours. This basic course provides excellent training regarding the history and application of The Belmont Report and the current Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs) which govern human subjects research.

The CITI Course does not provide detailed information on the application process, SUNY policy, or Cortland policies/procedures. After CITI Course training, investigators are to read SUNY Cortland's Policies and Procedures Manual to gain an understanding of what is required and how to apply for IRB approval.

Faculty members with questions concerning certification or eligibility should contact the IRB (irb@cortland.edu). Students who have questions about certification should contact their instructor or thesis advisor. If you need a copy of your certification for your professor, sign-in to the CITI Course and print a copy of your certification. If you have forgotten your username and password, the CITI Course will send it to you.