Required Human Subjects Research Education

The University of North Dakota is committed to the protection of human subjects in research.

To ensure that all investigators and research personnel receive adequate education in human subjects protection, the UND Institutional Review Board requires all researchers to complete human subject education, as required by the federal guidelines.

One form of human subject education must be completed at least once every three years. The IRB will not release the approvals for new or continuing protocols until all individuals involved with the project, including student advisers and key personnel, have completed the training. Key personnel are defined as persons in contact with human subjects or persons that have access to identifiable data.

Initial Education

Online Educational Modules

The UND IRB has selected the CITI Program to provide training in human subjects research. Below are detailed instructions individuals may use to register for either the Biomedical track or the Social/Behavioral track. Principal Investigators and key personnel should choose which group best fits the type of research you are planning to conduct.

All required modules must be completed. Depending on the type of research to be conducted, one or more of the optional modules may need to be completed as well. Each Module takes 10 to 30 minutes to complete. The total required time is estimated to be two to three hours; the course does not have to be completed in one sitting. The passing score required is 80% and you may retake modules if you need to boost your overall score.

• Biomedical Researchers - Printable instructions to register for the online IRB training
• Social/Behavioral Researchers - Printable instructions to register for the online IRB training

Continuing Education

Training must be renewed every three years. This can be accomplished by updating your training on the CITI Program website when you login to your account.

Education at Another Institution

Occasionally, researchers may have completed human subject education at another institution. The researcher must provide a copy of the certification indicating the type of education and the date of completion to the UND IRB for review. The researcher will be informed if the human subject education is acceptable and meets the UND IRB requirements.