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The Society of Clinical Research Associates, Inc. is a non-profit, professional organization dedicated to the continuing education and development of clinical research professionals.

12,600+ Members; 7,500+ Certified Clinical Research Professionals "CCRP"; 44+ educational programs in 2010; 80 examination sites, in 2010. The 19th Annual Conference will be held in Dallas, Texas - September 24 to 26, 2010 - at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel.

Our mission is to provide training, continuing education, and an
internationally recognized certification program that promote quality
clinical research to protect the welfare of research participants and
improve global health.

SoCRA 2010 Election Results

Click Here for Election Results.

SoCRA Chapter Links for Non-English Speaking Members

Form FDA 1572 May 2010 Guidance

Click Here

New FDA Guidance for IFDA Guidance on Investigator Responsibilities

FDA has issued final guidance on "Investigator Responsibilities - Protecting the Rights, Safety, and Welfare of Study Subjects." Click Here

New FDA Guidance on Regulations for Registration of IRBs

This guidance is intended to assist institutional review boards (IRBs) in complying with the new requirement for IRB registration. (See 74 FR 2358 (Jan. 15, 2009)). This requirement is an amendment to Part 56, Institutional Review Boards, (21 CFR 56.106), that requires each IRB in the United States (U.S.) that reviews FDA-regulated studies to register. IRB registration information is entered into an Internet-based registration system maintained by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Click Here (PDF).

New FDA Guidance for Industry Computerized Systems Used in Clinical Investigations

The FDA published the new guidance document for electronic records, "Guidance for Industry Computerized Systems Used in Clinical Investigations." Click Here (PDF).

SoCRA Offers CNE and CME for Conferences, Seminars, and Workshops; CPE

Some boards of pharmacy accept CME to satisfy CPE; pharmacists should check with their local board of pharmacy regarding policy.

SoCRA offers CNE (Continuing Nurse Education) and CME (Continuing Medical Education) for all conferences, seminars and workshops.

  • CNE for Nurses: SoCRA is approved as a provider of Continuing Nurse Education by the PA State Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
  • CME for Physicians: The Society of Clinical Research Associates is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Member Benefit: Drexel eLearning Tuition Discount

As a member of SoCRA, you are eligible to receive a 10-25% reduction off the regular on-campus tuition rate at Drexel University when you take courses online. As an added benefit, spouses and immediate family members of SoCRA members are also eligible to receive the same tuition reduction for Drexel's online programs through this educational collaboration. Pursuing a degree has never been easier, or more affordable! SoCRA-related online programs include MS in Clinical Research Organization and Management, MSN in Clinical Trials Research and well as shorter certificate programs. Additional discounted programs include undergraduate and graduate programs in business, human resources, nursing, engineering, information systems, education and health sciences.

Delivered fully online, Drexel's programs are highly interactive and are designed for working professionals seeking to earn a degree or additional certification. The online programs follow the same high academic standards and lead to the same quality degrees as on-campus, with no commuting or career interruption.

To learn more about this collaboration and Drexel’s online programs, please visit the SoCRA partner page at www.drexel.com/socra or contact the SoCRA partnership liaison, Ellen Cox, at 215.895.0951/Emc64@drexel.edu.

To qualify for these reduced tuition rates, members and their spouses should use "SOCRA" as your affiliation code when you complete an application.  

SoCRA Education Calendar Highlights

The Society of Clinical Research Associates is pleased to highlight our SoCRA Education Calendar with you.

Clinical Science Course
Boston, MA
July, 2010

Chicago, IL
October, 2010

   

Certification Prep Course
Pensacola, FL
August, 2010
Registration CLOSED

Mexico City, Mexico
August, 2010

   

Monitoring Workshop
Philadelphia, PA
October, 2010

New Orleans, LA
February, 2011

   

Clinical Site Management
Chicago, IL
November, 2010

   

FDA Clinical Trial Requirements
Jersey City, NJ
November, 2010

   

Clinical Investigator Workshop
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
December, 2010

   

Advanced Site Mgt: Finance
Jersey City, NJ
March, 2011

   
Legal, Ethical and Practical Considerations in Protecting Human Research Participants
San Diego, CA
April, 2011
   

SOP Workshop
Las Vegas, NV
February, 2011

Halifax, NS
June 2011

   
Device Research Workshop
TBD

The SoCRA Classifieds

The SoCRA Classifieds offer listings of organizations seeking clinical researchers.

Topics in Focus:

Device Clinical Trials - Regulatory Considerations by Michael E. Marcarelli, Pharm.D. (412 KB PDF)

Past Topics in Focus Articles

The SoCRA Certification Program

The SoCRA Certification program offers the designation "Certified Clinical Research Professional" to eligible researchers. Click Here for the examination schedule!

SoCRA's 19th Annual Conference in September, 2010

New! NCI Promotional Tools Increase Awareness of Clinical Trials

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) announces the availability of two new patient education posters and a pin to increase awareness about clinical trials. Their purpose is to begin the discussion with cancer patients that a trial may be a reasonable option in the continuum of their cancer care. To get more information about the NCI posters and pins, call the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service toll-free at 1-800-4-CANCER or visit www.cancer.gov. To order posters directly, please click: POSTERS and for pins, please click: PINS.

Member Benefit: No-cost Basic GCP and Research Protections On-line Education

SoCRA offers no-cost basic GCP and Research Protections on-line education.

SoCRA has joined The Collaborative Institutional Training Program (CITI) to offer SoCRA members free entry-level Basic Courses in the Protection of Human Research Subjects including Biomedical Focus, Social and Behavioral Focus, and Refresher Courses, as well as the basic course on GCP (Good Clinical Practice course).

Click Here for information about CITI.

Click Here to register for courses. Under “Participating Institutions” - click on “Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA)”

Those wishing to accrue CME by taking these programs should read on. Click Here to find out more!