what is certification?4/23/2015 11 brown bag topics topic presenter contracts / legal requirements...

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Value of Research Administrator Certification:

What it Can Mean to You

Copyright 1995-2014 © Research Administrators Certification Council. All rights reserved

WHAT IS CERTIFICATION?

Obtaining certification means that an individual has met the eligibility requirements of the Research Administrators Certification Council (RACC) and has demonstrated achievement of an advanced level of knowledge and understanding of the principles, concepts, and regulations for administering research.


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WHAT IS RESEARCH ADMINISTRATORS CERTIFICATION COUNCIL(RACC)?

• The Council is a private, independent, nonprofit organization that develops and administers a voluntary program for the certification of individuals who meet established requirements.


WHY SHOULD I BE CERTIFIED?

• Professional recognition

• Personal satisfaction

• Indicator of expertise and knowledge

• Opens opportunities for employment

• Increased credibility with colleagues and clients

• Serve as a role model to others


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WHAT CERTIFICATIONS DOES RACC OFFER?

• Certified Research Administrator (CRA)

• Certified Pre-award Research Administrator (CPRA)

• Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA)


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HOW DO I START?

• Submit an application, including documentation demonstrating eligibility - online application on the website

www.cra-cert.org- answer all questions on candidate

information and eligibility- sign, date, submit with the fee ($375) by the

deadline


WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA for CRA/CPRA/CFRA?

• Bachelor’s degree and three years of substantial involvement in research or sponsored program administration

OR

• Associates degree and five years of substantial experience

OR

• Six years of substantial experience (petition required)


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HOW DO I BECOME CERTIFIED?

• By taking and passing a multiple choice examination

- Submit the application

- Receive an eligibility notice

- Schedule your exam appointment

- Testing periods: Two weeks two times per year

- Review the rules for the exam


EXAMINATION SITES

• HOW CAN I FIND OUT THE NEAREST LOCATION WHERE THE EXAMINATION WILL BE OFFERED?

• Research Administrators Certification Council provides a pull down menu – http://www.cra-cert.org/whatiscertification.html

– http://cert.psiexams.com/locateall.html

– enter your zip code to find the testing centers near you


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EXAMINATION SCHEDULE

• Certified Research Administrator– November 7 – 21, 2015, Application Deadline: September 30,

2015

– ~May 2 – 16, 2016, Application Deadline: March 31, 2016

• Certified Pre-award Research Administrator– August 8 - 22, 2015, Application Deadline: June 30, 2015

– ~February 14 - 28, 2016, Application Deadline: January 15, 2016

• Certified Financial Research Administrator– September 12-16, 2015, Application Deadline: July 31, 2015

– ~March 14 - 28, 2016, Application Deadline: January 31, 2016


WHAT DOES THE EXAM ENTAIL?

• 250 multiple choice questions based on the “Body of Knowledge” test content outline

• Total testing time of four hours

• Computerized and taken at testing centers throughout the United States


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CRA DOMAINS

Project Development and Administration 30%

Legal Requirements and Sponsor Interface 30%

Financial Management 25%General Management 15%


CPRA DOMAINS

Research Partnership and Funding 25%

Project Development andProposal Submission 30%

Budget Design and Development 30%

Awards and Pre-award Compliance Considerations 15%


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CFRA DOMAINS

Governing Framework 25%

Project Costs 35%

Reporting 25%

Fiscal Compliance 15%


Uniform Guidance Implementation

• RACC is going to add questions referencing the Uniform Guidance into the examinations on a slight delay and over a period of time/phases.

– May and November 2015 – former regulations (Circular based and using agency specific regulations predating the December 26, 2014 implementation date)

– May and November 2016 – approximately 1/3 of the relevant questions will be based on the new regulations

– May and November 2017 – approximately 2/3 of the relevant questions will be based on the new regulations

– May 2018 examination – All relevant questions will be based on the new regulations


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LESSONS LEARNED

• Test tips – Don’t “flag” too many questions

– Don’t sit by door if easily distracted

– Check out earplugs prior to the test

– Rest the night before the test

• Spend more time studying unfamiliar topics

• Don’t schedule test on the last day

PREPARING FOR THE EXAM

• Annotated Body of Knowledge at the RACC website

• Attend sessions and workshops offered at regional and national meetings of SRA and NCURA

• Body of Knowledge review sessions offered by the RACC

--


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PREPARING FOR THE EXAM

• Handbook for Candidates• Suggested reading material

found in each handbook• Form a study group--


BROWN BAG LUNCH SESSIONS

• Invite Experts at your institution to present

• Provide the “Body of Knowledge” topics related to their department, position, and/or area of expertise

• Provide sample questions– Presenter may create additional questions for

review

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BROWN BAG TOPICS TOPIC PRESENTER

Contracts / Legal Requirements

OSP Assistant Director, Contracts

F& A Rate Proposal Director, Reporting & Cost Accounting

Human & Animal Subjects Director, Office of Research SubjectProtections

Intellectual Property Associate VP for Research / Director Technology Transfer

Lab Safety Executive Director of Lab Safety, Environmental Health & Safety Office

OMB Circulars *2CFR OSP Director

Proposal Development OSP Assistant Director, Pre Award

Searching for Research Opportunities

Associate Dean, Research

Sample Brown Bag Topic

• Environmental Health & Safety

– Safety & Health Requirements & Procedures

– Hazardous & Nonhazardous Materials

– Biohazards

– Federal Acquisition Regulations

– Institutional Committees• Institutional BioSafety Committee

• Radiation Safety Committee

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SETTING UP A STUDY GROUP

• Create Study Group – Planning Meeting

• Topics

• Dates and times

• Expectations– Each participant will be responsible for leading or co-

leading one session

• Compile information on topic & send to the group in advance

• Lead session discussion

• Follow-up on unanswered questions

– Attendance requirements

OTHER RESOURCES

• Conferences– SRA (Annual, International, Section and Chapter) Meetings

– NCURA (Annual International and Region) Meetings

• Webinars / Online Training– SRA Webinars

http://www.srainternational.org/sra03/template/tntbwebinar.cfm?id=2529

– NCURA Educational Programs http://www.ncura.edu/content/educational_programs/

– CITI Online training

https://www.citiprogram.org/default.asp?language=english

• Human Subjects

• Lab Animal Research

• Responsible Conduct of Research

•

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Does the RACC have a Code of Ethics for its certificants?

• Yes, there is a Code of Ethics which each candidate is required to sign at the time they apply to take the examination.

The intent of the Research Administrators Certification Council’s (RACC) Code of Ethics is to set forth and promote a culture of integrity and competency in the profession of sponsored research administration.


CODE OF ETHICSI agree to:

• perform my duties with honesty, diligence, and responsibility

• conduct myself free of personal and professional conflicts or the appearance of impropriety

• remain mindful as a steward of the funds I assist in requesting and managing have been provided fundamentally for the public good

• be prudent in the use and protection of sensitive information/data

• act in good faith promoting ethical integrity in all of our actions

• in public forums, maintain respectful communication about others in the profession


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RECERTIFICATION

• Certification is for a five year period– Continuing education required

– Include a list of educational activities• Taken or taught

• Provide 3 questions for use on a future examination

The number of contact hours of education needed for recertification is 80.


RECERTIFICATION

• Educational activities may include teaching, serving on professional journal or newsletter review boards, writing articles, serving on boards of relevant national associations, participating in workshops and seminars, as well as academic courses at an undergraduate or graduate level.

• Academic credits will be considered as contact hours. A recertification fee will also be due at the time the recertification application is filed.


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QUESTIONS???

Research Administrators Certification Council1350 Broadway, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10018Phone: 212-356-0693

[email protected]


what is certification?4/23/2015 11 brown bag topics topic presenter contracts / legal requirements...

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