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About CIP® Recertification

CIP® credential holders must recertify every three years. Recertification must be accomplished prior to the certification expiration date to avoid a lapse. If the lapse in certification is greater than six months, the CIP® must take and pass the examination to reinstate the credential. Certification must be maintained to continue using the CIP® credential after your name. Recertification may be achieved either by:
  • Retaking and passing the CIP® examination, or
  • Completing 30 hours of eligible continuing education (CE) hours as described in the CIP® recertification guidelines and submitting a completed Excel CE Tracker and all supporting documentation. Recertification materials can be uploaded using this link (log into your PRIM&R profile when prompted).
CIPs may recertify by continuing education twice in a nine-year period before being required to recertify by examination. Once an individual maintains their certification for over ten consecutive years, they may recertify solely through continuing education and do not need to sit for the examination.
For detailed information and resources throughout the recertification by CE process, review our CIP® Recertification by CE Resources webpage. Review our CIP® Documentation webpage for guidelines on obtaining documentation.
CIP® Recert by CE Resources WebpageCIP® Documentation Webpage

Deadlines & Fees

Those who became certified or recertified in 2023 are due to recertify in 2026.

Recertification by Continuing Education

Candidates should submit their recertification by continuing education materials before the due date so there is enough time to review your submission and ensure you have enough eligible continuing education credits before the deadline. Candidates’ credentials are valid during the review process. Please note there is a six-month grace period that follows a certification term. While we encourage everyone to recertify on time, people may submit their applications up to six months beyond their certification expiration date.
Most Recent Certification Date
Certification Expiration Date
Priorty Submission Deadline
Grace Period Deadline
Next Certification Expiration Date
Fall 2022
December 31, 2025
December 1, 2025
June 30, 2026
December 31, 2028
Spring 2023
June 30, 2026
June 1, 2026
December 31, 2026
June 30, 2029
Fall 2023
December 31, 2026
December 1, 2026
June 30, 2027
December 31, 2029

Recertification by Examination

Candidates may submit their exam applications on a rolling basis. After candidates’ exam applications are approved, they will be sent an email eligibility notice that contains their 90 day window in which they may test. Be sure to plan ahead to allow ample time for the review process and finding an exam appointment. Please note there is a six-month grace period that follows a certification term. While we encourage everyone to recertify on time, candidates can test up to six months beyond their certification expiration date.
Most Recent Certification Date
Certification Expiration Date
Priority Testing Deadline
Grace Period Testing Deadline
Next Certification Expiration Date
Fall 2022
December 31, 2025
December 1, 2025
June 30, 2026
December 31, 2028
Spring 2023
June 30, 2026
June 1, 2026
December 31, 2026
June 30, 2029
Fall 2023
December 31, 2026
December 31, 2026
June 30, 2027
December 31, 2029

Recertification Fee

The recertification fee is $425 for all candidates, whether recertifying by continuing education or examination. Once your materials are reviewed and approved you will receive an email with a direct link where you can either pay the fee online through your PRIM&R profile or generate an invoice to be downloaded for payment. If you prefer to pay via check, please make out the payment to PRIM&R and send it to the PO Box listed below.
Payment Address: P.O. Box 849502 Boston, MA 02284-9502

Recertification Options

Recertification by Examination

Candidates may opt to recertify by exam instead of completing continuing education credits. Review the CIP® Exam Handbook and our CIP® Exam webpage for more information on exam content and exam delivery options. For additional tools to support studying and exam preparation, visit our CIP® Exam Resources webpage. Examination applications may be submitted through PSI, our testing partner. Please upload a current CV/resume along with your application.
Submit Exam Application Here

Recertification by Continuing Education

Recertification by continuing education (CE) may be achieved by completing 30 hours of CE credits as described below in the recertification guidelines and submitting a completed Excel CE tracker and all supporting documentation. Follow the steps below to submit your recertification materials. For detailed information and resources throughout the recertification by CE process, review our CIP® Recertification by CE Resources webpage. Those wishing to recertify by continuing education should download and complete the Excel CE Tracker. Candidates must fill out the CEU Tracker tab within this spreadsheet; credit hours will automatically populate in the Credit Hours tab. Individuals are responsible for obtaining source documentation for recertification credit and for including copies of such documentation with their applications. Review our CIP® Documentation webpage for guidelines on obtaining documentation.
Step 1:
Download the CIP® Excel CE Tracker
For guidance on completing the Excel CE Tracker, watch this video.
Step 2:
Upload your recertification by CE materials
For guidance on submitting your materials, watch this video.

Acceptable Continuing Education Activities

CIPs must complete 30 documented continuing education hours that:
  • Go beyond the basic/introductory level of knowledge
  • Cover a topic in the CIP® Body of Knowledge as it pertains to the oversight of research
At least 15 of these hours must ALSO come from:
  • PRIM&R, AAHRPP, or OHRP events pre-recognized by the CIP® Council
  • Programs accredited by accrediting bodies such as ACCME, ACPE, ANNC, bar associations, or universities
  • These programs carry CME, CNE, CLE, CPE, or other professional accreditation credits
  • Many CITI, SOCRA, NCURA, regional conferences, and organizational continuing education program series for employees also carry this type of credit
  • Not sure whether a program qualifies? Program agendas include accreditation and continuing education statements. Check program websites and/or certificates of attendance for additional information.
Check out this chart to see where popular continuing education topics fall within the Content Outline, and to explore PRIM&R programs eligible for continuing education credit. Remember, PRIM&R members access webinars and select past programs for free!
  • Short courses or intensive courses on topics within the CIP® Body of Knowledge sponsored by bioethics centers, institutes, or universities.
  • Local and regional seminars, conferences, or presentations on topics within the CIP® Body of Knowledge.
  • Webinars/webcasts
  • Formal college courses such as research bioethics, responsible conduct of research, research design, grant design, research methodology, quantitative and qualitative research methods, field research techniques, and statistics; courses must be successfully completed. Each three-credit or semester course is equivalent to 10 CE credits. Please see documentation section for additional information.
  • Web-based courses that are designed for continuing education or have assigned CE hours, other than programs used for initial training.
  • Self-study programs including (but not limited to) books or journals with documented quizzes, tests, and/or exercises. Note: Functioning as a pre-publication reviewer of journal articles of any type, regardless of whether CE credits are issued for the activity, is not considered self study in this context and, therefore, does not qualify for CIP CE credits.

Unacceptable Continuing Education Activities

  • Topics outside the CIP® Body of Knowledge/Content Outline
  • Programs an individual develops and/or instructs
  • Disease/condition management topics
  • CPR training
  • Accreditation preparation activities
  • Hours spent attending IRB meetings
  • Education that is at an initial, basic, or fundamental level

CIP® Program Review Requests for Continuing Education Credit

The CIP® Council is available to review educational programs for continuing education credit. Please visit our CIP® Program Review Requests webpage for more information and to submit a request.

Denial of Recertification

Those who are denied recertification by CE because of improper/incomplete documentation may appeal that decision by writing to the Council for Certification of IRB Professionals, in care of PRIM&R. The letter must clearly describe the reasons why the candidate believes that recertification was improperly denied and include all documentation to support such a claim. This appeal must be postmarked no later than 30 days after the postmark date of the original denial letter. The appeal will be considered by the CIP® Council and written notice of the final decision will be sent to the candidate. There are no refunds if an audit reveals a problem with the application.