Completing Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Certification 

Purposes for CITI Certification

Many universities require CITI certification for researchers prior to submitting a research protocol to the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Reasons for certification include:

• Qualifying for federal research funds.
• Avoiding or resolving disputes in research standards.
• Preserving institutional ethical standards.
• Maintaining research design integrity.
• Establishing and maintaining credibility when publishing in peer-reviewed journals.

Set up your CITI account

• Go to the Citi Program account page [www.citiprogram.org]
• Click Register
• Search Organization: Shenandoah University
• Click Continue for Step 2
• Enter all requested information using your SU email address

Enroll in a course

• Select Shenandoah University Courses
• Complete the Integrity Assurance Statement
• Click Add a Course or Update Learner Groups

Select your area of research

• Health Professions and Psychology should select Biomedical Research Investigators
• Education and other non-biomedical researchers should select Social & Behavioral Research Investigators

Note

Student Researchers may be able to complete the Student Module. Speak to your faculty advisor to confirm which module you need to complete

What to expect

• Depending on the training module you select, you can expect up to 5-6 hours to complete training. You may log out at any time and return later to complete modules until finished

• Quizzes are given at the end of each module. Questions are formative rather than summative and quizzes may be retaken to achieve the required passing score of 80%

Questions?

Please email IRB Compliance Coordinator or visit the Shenandoah University IRB Webpage.