Certified Research Administrator
The Certified Research Administrator® (CRA®) is a designation granted in the United States by the Research Administrators Certification Council to individuals who demonstrate the knowledge necessary to serve as an administrator of professional and sponsored research programs.[1] To be eligible to certify, candidates must meet one of three sets of requirements (see "Requirements" below). Once a candidate passes the Certified Research Administrator® examination, they are conferred the right to use the CRA® designation.[2] The RACC also offers Certified Pre-Award Research Administrator® and Certified Financial Research Administrator designations.
CRA® designation
According to the RACC, the CRA® designation carries numerous benefits to those who hold it, such as recognition among professionals, a sense of personal satisfaction, indication of expertise in the administration of sponsored research endeavors, greater opportunities for employment, greater opportunities for advancement, robust credibility, and the ability to serve as a role model to research peers. The CRA® designation is a registered certification mark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.[3]
As of June 2, 2022, 3,296 active CRAs® are listed in the RACC's online database.[4]
History
In 1993, the Research Administrators Certification Council (RACC) was founded as a private non-profit organization.[5] Active CRAs® sit on the council and have the role of certifying that an individual possesses adequate knowledge for serving as a professional research administrator of sponsored programs, particularly federally-funded research grants and contracts.
Requirements
Candidates must meet one of the following sets of requirements:
- Bachelor's or advanced degree and three (3) years of professional experience in research administration or sponsored programs administration either in a sponsoring or recipient organization or the equivalent in a self-funded organization; OR
- An Associate’s degree and five (5) years of professional experience in research administration or sponsored programs administration either in a sponsoring or recipient organization or the equivalent in a self-funded organization; OR
- No degree and six (6) years of professional experience in the research administration or sponsored programs administration either in a sponsoring or recipient organization or the equivalent in a self-funded organization.
The third option requires approval of a petition to the RACC in order to receive a waiver.[6]
Candidates must pass a written Certified Research Administrator® examination designed by the RACC and administered by Professional Testing Center, New York, which covers fundamental information necessary for meeting the demands and responsibilities of a career in sponsored program administration.[6]
CRA® exam curriculum
The curriculum covered by the CRA® examination is referred to by the RACC as the "Body of Knowledge," and has four broad components:[7]
- Project Development and Administration
- Legal requirements and Sponsor Interface
- Financial Management
- General Management
Recertification
Every five years, CRAs® must recertify to continue using the CRA® designation. Recertification applicants are expected to demonstrate continued participation or employment in the field of research administration, including requisite hours of continuing education activities and a collection of several questions for potential use on future revisions of the CRA® exam.[8]
References
- ^ *Kulakowski, Elliott C.; Chronister, Lynne U. (2006). Research administration and management. Sudbury, Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7637-3277-6.
- ^ "What Is Certification?". Retrieved 2 June 2022.
- ^ "Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) Entry for Certified Research Administrator". Retrieved 2 June 2022.
- ^ "Find a Certificant". Retrieved 2 June 2022.
- ^ Andersen, J.; Toom, K.; Poli, S.; Miller, P.F. (2017). Research Management: Europe and Beyond. Elsevier Science. p. 18. ISBN 978-0-12-805208-2. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
- ^ a b "Certification Examination for Research Administrators, Candidate Handbook 2022" (PDF). Retrieved 2 June 2022.
- ^ Dade, A.; Olafson, L.; DiBella, S.M. (2015). Implementing a Comprehensive Research Compliance Program: A Handbook for Research Officers. EBL-Schweitzer. Information Age Publishing, Incorporated. p. 513. ISBN 978-1-68123-133-4. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
- ^ "Recertification". Retrieved 2 June 2022.