Certified Professional IACUC Administrator (CPIA^®)

In response to member requests for a certification program for IACUC professionals, PRIM&R began the development of the Certified Professional IACUC Administrator (CPIA) credential in 2006, and established the credential in 2007.  The purpose of this certification is to improve the quality of animal care and use programs nationwide by promoting ethical practices and advanced knowledge of IACUC administration.  The CPIA credential constitutes formal recognition of an IACUC professional’s knowledge of IACUC functions and expertise about the fundamentals of animal care and use programs more broadly. 

PRIM&R has collaborated with the Professional Testing Corporation of New York to develop standards of excellence based on a body of knowledge about the ethics and administration of animal care and use programs. The CPIA credential signals to research institutions, the public, and members of the animal research professions that its holders are highly qualified to discharge their duties pursuant to United States rules and regulations, prevailing ethical codes, and administrative “best practices.”

Council for Certified Professional IACUC Administrators (CCPIA)

The program is overseen by the CCPIA. Since its inception, the CCPIA’s mission has been to develop a certification program that will be useful to all IACUC professionals. PRIM&R is grateful to the founders of the CPIA program, Mary Jo (MJ) Shepherd, Kim Mickey, Monte Mathews, Ann Turner, Nelson Garnett, Cindy Hoorn, Molly Greene, Harry Rozmiarek, and Marky Pitts, and to the other volunteers who have served on the CCPIA with distinction and commitment. The current Council members are Mary Jo (MJ) Shepherd (chairperson), Deborah Frolicher (vice chairperson), Rob Anderson, Marcy Brown, Michael Fallon, Bill Greer, Tracy Heenan, Marky Pitts, Shannon Stutler, and Sally Westlake.

Why obtain the CPIA credential?

The CPIA credential…

• Demonstrates the certified IACUC professional’s high level of dedication to IACUC administration as a profession.
• Provides potential career advancement opportunities.
• Validates the holder’s knowledge of his or her field.
• Strengthens the profession by providing an established body of relevant knowledge and national standards of practice in IACUC administration.

Questions?
Please contact us via email or telephone at 617.423.4112, ext. 0. Thank you!