Certified IRB Professional (CIP) Exam

Ready to Enroll?

Ready to Enroll?

Use our exam portal to:

  •  Create an account
  •  Complete/submit exam applications
  •  Schedule exam
  •  Pay

CIP Exam Content and Structure

The Certified IRB Professional (CIP®) exam is offered on a continuous basis, both at in-person testing centers and online, through live remote proctoring.

The CIP exam is developed by the CIP Council and it covers the body of knowledge about human subjects research review under the rules and regulations of the United States. Download the CIP Exam Handbook for guidance on the exam process. The CIP Body of Knowledge/Content Outline details the content covered in the CIP exam, as well as the CIP Exam Resources and References

The CIP examination consists of 130 objective, multiple-choice questions, and takes three hours to complete, and covers human subjects protection topics, IRB responsibilities, and institutional responsibilities.

The CIP exam is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure it reflects current regulations and guidance. The CIP exam does not include questions about pending draft guidance, including the FDA NPRM on the Protection of Human Subjects and Institutional Review Boards.

Watch Our Information Session! 

Learn about the application, exam process, and even a few study tips. 

This session features an interview with one of our CIP Council members to discuss career development through certification.

CIP Exam Delivery

The CIP exam is offered on a continuous basis. CIP exam candidates have two exam delivery options: in-person testing centers, or live remote online proctoring. Exam candidates receive their scores within an hour of testing.

 

Ready to Apply?

Ready to Apply?

Congratulations on taking the next step towards your CIP credential! 

We are excited to help you with your application.

Please submit the following documention to the link below

Begin my application process!

What Are the Application Fees?

 

Member Fee* Nonmember Fee
$350 $475

*PRIM&R Membership includes a variety of benefits, including discounts on PRIM&R programs and certification fees. Learn more on our membership benefits page.


 

CIP Reexamination

The CIP Exam may be taken as often as desired upon filing of a new application and fee. There is no limit to the number of times the examination may be repeated. Unsuccessful candidates must wait 90 days before re-taking their exams

Tips and FAQs

We encourage candidates to hold off on applying until they are ready to take the exam. If you are unable to schedule the exam within your 90-day authorization window, please send transfer form and payment to PSI via mail or secure fax. Transfer requests must be completed before your eligibility window expires. Please contact the certification team at certification@primr.org after submission so we can monitor the request.

As soon as your application is received, you will receive a confirmation receipt that includes a receipt of payment and your unique candidate ID/assigned ID number. Meanwhile, on the backend, your application is undergoing eligibility review.

Receipts are sent by an automated email from AMPExamServices@goamp.com with an hour of your payment being processed. Please be sure to add @goamp.com, @psionline.com, and @primr.org to your safe senders list. Your receipt is also saved on your PSI account—you’ll be able to download it upon logging into your profile.

Candidates are able to request special accommodations once their applications are approved. If you are requesting testing accommodations, please complete this form, and make sure that the ticket category Test Accommodations Request is selected. You will then receive an email from PSI that contains a ticket number, which will be referenced throughout the examination process. Please retain this email. PSI staff will contact you upon reviewing your request for any additional information, and to proceed with exam appointment booking.

For additional information, you may reference this document. Please note that PSI approves all accommodations for PRIM&R’s exams.

PRIM&R reaches out to candidates with ineligible applications. Candidates have the opportunity to appeal decisions in accordance with the procedures laid out in the CIP and CPIA Handbooks. If you are found to be ineligible to sit for the exam, your application will be withdrawn, and you’ll be refunded your exam fees, less the $6 processing charge.

For candidates taking the exam via online proctoring, view this video.

For candidates taking the exam at a testing facility, view this video.

Please be sure to answer your phone on exam day! PSI might be trying to get in touch with you regarding your appointment.

Remember to have your:

  • Username and password for your PSI account
  • Email address that you used to create your account
  • Candidate ID/assigned ID number

Log onto your PSI account, and double-check your contact information:

  • The email address and phone number will be how PSI will contact you in case of an unexpected closure to your testing center, or an issue with your live remote online proctored exam on the day of your appointment. 
  • Make sure the name listed on your exam application matches that of the identifications you will use to check into your exam. If there is a discrepancy, you will not be able to take your exam, and will forfeit your exam fees.

If you plan to use an employer-issued computer, or take your exam on a personal computer on your workplace network, be sure to share these requirements with your IT department. There might be firewalls, a virtual private network VPN), or system updates that need to be disabled in order for you to connect to your exam. Please also remember to:

  • Conduct a system compatibility check 24 hours prior to the exam
  • Review the requirements for setting up your space
  • Use a hardline internet connection (avoid Wi-Fi when at all possible)
     

Note: Local requirements supersede PSI’s optional masking policy. Please check with your local board of health regarding their indoor masking requirements.

Candidates who sit for their exams at PSI’s in-person testing centers have the option to wear their own masks and gloves when taking their exams.  PSI sanitizes testing equipment, including keyboards, chair handles, check-in stations, and door handles, after each use. 

The most up-to-date information on PSI’s corporate policies and COVID-19 FAQs are available on their website.
 

In order to run the remote proctoring software, computers must have a working webcam, microphone functionalities. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) must be disconnected. We recommend that whenever possible, you use a computer that does not have a VPN installed.

PSI has its own set of technical requirements for those taking the exam through live remote proctoring. In order to run the remote proctoring software, computers must have a working webcam, and microphone functionalities. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) must be disconnected. We recommend that whenever possible, you use a computer that does not have a VPN installed.

View a detailed breakdown of the system requirements for launching the exam here.

It is highly recommended that candidates use a hardline (ethernet) internet connection when taking the exam. Candidates taking the exam at home should request that other members of the household refrain from using devices that require a lot of bandwidth, such as streaming and gaming services. If you are using an employer-issued computer, or plan to use your personal computer on a network outside your home, please share this information and seek assistance from your IT department. Your security settings might require a user with administrator privileges to make changes. It is possible that your network’s VPN, security, or firewall settings will prevent you from downloading the exam package or interrupt your connection to the exam platform.

Candidates should check computer compatibility by clicking here. A compatibility test can be run before or after registering for an exam appointment.

You should run the system compatibility test using the same computer that you’ll use for the exam, in the same space and under the same conditions (such as time of day, household bandwidth use) that you anticipate for your exam.

Please note that if your computer performs any system update (i.e. software, server, firewall, webcam, etc.) between the time you schedule your exam and the day of your appointment, you should conduct another system compatibility check to ensure there are no issues.

It is best to conduct a final system compatibility check on the computer with which you will be taking your exam at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled exam. Software and security updates downloaded between your initial system compatibility test and your exam appointment might require you to readjust your computer settings.

All candidates must present two forms of identification.

The primary form must be government issued and current, and must include your name, signature, and photograph. No form of temporary identification will be accepted. Examples of valid primary forms of identification are:

  • Driver’s license with photograph
  • State identification card with photograph
  • Passport

A military identification card with photograph is acceptable for in-person appointments at testing centers; however, it is not accepted for remote online exams. Those taking their exams at testing centers will be required to sign a roster for verification of identity.

The secondary form of identification must display your name and signature for signature verification (e.g., credit card with signature, social security card with signature, employment/student ID card with signature).

If the name on your exam application is different than it appears on your identification, you must bring proof of your name change (e.g., marriage license, divorce decree, or court order).

If your state-issued driver’s license/identification card contains a hologram, you might want to bring an alternative primary form of identification, as the lighting could prevent the proctor from seeing your ID.

Failure to provide appropriate identification upon check-in is considered a missed appointment, and there will be no refund of exam fees.

Any candidate who encounters an issue on exam day should notify PSI either by sending an email to examschedule@psionline.com, or calling 833-518.7455. Please be sure to reference your account ID number in your communications. If you would like to inform PRIM&R staff about an issue you experienced on exam day, please do so by sending a detailed email to certification@primr.org, and we will do what we can to assist.

During the check-in process, your proctor might issue additional instructions on how to handle problems you might encounter during your exam. Please follow their instructions.

For remote proctored exams, if you encounter an issue that disconnects you from your exam, you will be issued a case number, and the issue will be put in queue for resolution. PSI will reach out to you to reschedule your appointment, and this is generally resolved in 24 hours.

For in-person exams, candidates should report any issues they experience during their exam to PSI within two days of taking their exam. Issues may be reported by phone or email; you will receive a case number, and the issue will be put in queue for resolution.

Please be sure to answer your phone (the number may be unfamiliar) when you are expecting a callback. Client services do most of their work by phone, which means that you will probably be put on hold when you return their call, but you will be on the line for assistance. 

Once you are issued a case number, please do not call or email PSI for an update that same day. These actions simply clog the phone lines and lengthen the queue, slowing down client services’ work and potentially delaying your scheduled callback.

You will receive your results by email within an hour of taking the exam. Your score report will only be sent to the email address affiliated with your account. Score reports are never released over the phone. Please be sure to add the domains @goamp.com and @psionline.com to your safe senders list, and monitor your spam/junk/clutter inboxes accordingly.

Candidates who successfully pass their exams will be contacted by PRIM&R within two weeks of their exam date, and will be provided with their certificate number, certification term, and information about their printed certificate. 

Candidates who are unsuccessful in passing their exams will be eligible to re-apply 90 days after their examination attempt.