Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC) is a professional certification given to individuals who have met the eligibility criteria and passed the certification exam offered by the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP). CCRCs are responsible for the coordination and management of clinical trials in compliance with regulatory requirements and protocol specifications. CCRCs are trained in Good Clinical Practice, study design and ethics, subject recruitment and retention, data management, and safety monitoring, among other skills. The CCRC certification demonstrates a standard of knowledge and competence in clinical research coordination.

Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) refers to specialized knowledge and practice in the planning, conduct, and oversight of clinical research studies. It involves applying established procedures for participant safety, protocol compliance, data integrity, and regulatory documentation throughout a study. The skill is used to support consistent research operations, coordinate study activities, and maintain adherence to institutional and regulatory requirements.

Certified IRB Manager (CIM) is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who are experienced in the management of institutional review boards (IRBs) and have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and expertise in IRB administration. The program is administered by the Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R), and the certification is valid for three years, after which recertification is required. The CIM designation is a mark of distinction that demonstrates an individual's commitment to excellence in the field of human subjects research protections.

Human subject research refers to scientific investigations that involve individuals as participants, and their experiences, behaviors, or biological specimens as study objects. Conducting research on human subjects requires specialized knowledge and skills to ensure ethically and legally sound practices, and to protect the rights, welfare, and privacy of participants. This includes obtaining informed consent, conducting risk assessment, addressing confidentiality and data security, and complying with regulatory and ethical guidelines. Human subject research is critical for advancing knowledge in many fields and requires careful and responsible conduct to maintain trust and integrity.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a committee that is responsible for reviewing and approving research involving human subjects. IRB members are typically experts in research ethics and have the authority to approve, modify, or disapprove research protocols to ensure that they comply with ethical standards and government regulations. The IRB's goal is to protect the welfare and rights of human research participants and ensure that any risks associated with the research are minimized. As such, being a member of an IRB requires specialized skills and knowledge in research ethics, human subjects protection, and regulatory compliance.