HUMAN SUBJECT RESEARCH TRAINING FOR UNTHSC RESEARCHERS
Training Links
Human Subject Research Training
- Background to human subject protection training for researchers
- Educational requirement for human subject research at UNTHSC
- How to log into CITI Basic training course
- Refresher course for Human Subject Research Training
- How to log into CITI Refresher training course
In accordance with federal regulations, it is necessary for all individuals identified as "key personnel" on a research project involving human subjects to complete required educational training on the protection of human research subjects.
Current UNTHSC IRB Policy requires that, when submitting a protocol for IRB review (both new and continuing review), the Principal Investigator must include written verification that each of the key personnel on that project has successfully completed the online educational tutorial. No protocols can be reviewed for new or continuing reviews that are not in compliance with this requirement.
Educational Training Requirement
When submitting a protocol for IRB review (both new and continuing review), the Principal Investigator must include written verification that each of the key personnel has successfully completed the appropriate educational tutorial/program designated by the UNTHSC Office for the Protection of Human Subjects (OPHS) through the CITI (Collaborative IRB Training Initiative) Course in the Protection of Human Subjects, with links located on the UNTHSC IRB web site. This is now the basic standard training requirement for all faculty, staff, and students engaged in research involving human subjects.
At UNTHSC, CITI training is valid for three years. A refresher course can be taken through the CITI website to renew CITI certification every two years. Expiration of this educational training requirement can jeopardize any current or newly submitted research protocol.
How to log onto to the CITI website
- Go to the CITI website at www.citiprogram.org
- Once there, simply click on the link "Register for CITI course".
- Under institution selection, select "University of North Texas Health Science Center" in the "All others" drop down box.
- Next, proceed to create your own username and password and select the CITI Recommended Learner group. Choose whichever group best fits your research areas and interests:
Biomedical-Clinical
Social-Behavioral
Interdisciplinary Researchers
IRB Members
For any questions, call Ms. Mary Wilson at OPHS (817)-735-0409; download these CITI instructions (pdf); or visit "CITI Frequently Asked Questions".
Refresher course for Human Subject Research Training
All UNTHSC personnel (faculty, staff, students, medical residents) who conduct any research involving human subjects need to complete the BASIC human subjects training course through the Collaborative IRB Training Initiative (CITI). This training needs to be completed before engaging in human subject research, and certification must be submitted or otherwise "on file" with the UNTHSC Office for the Protection of Human Subjects (OPHS).
At most institutions, CITI training certification is valid for only one or two years, but at UNTHSC, this CITI training is valid for three years. After 3 years, a brief REFRESHER course can be taken through the CITI website to renew CITI certification, and this "refresher" renewal will need to occur every two years. Expiration of this educational training requirement can jeopardize any current or newly submitted research protocol.
Instructions on how to log into and take the Refresher course:
Go to the CITI main page...log in using your CITI User ID and Password you set up for your initial CITI training, then click on...
Add a course or update your learner groups for University of North Texas Health Science Center
Once in there, scroll down to "Question 2" which references the Refresher course options...
Select an Option (Biomedical, Social Behavioral, etc.) and follow instructions from there.
For additional guidance, download this how-to-manual by clicking here.