Education and Training

IMPORTANT NOTES:

1. Initial and Renewal Training are set for 3-year cycles.
2. The CITI platform CITI Program requires you to register as a user before logging in.
3. When logging in to CITI, “Vanderbilt University” is the account for both VUMC and VU users.
4. Appropriate documentation (certificate of completion) is required for all training. 
5. HRPP will receive completion reports from the VUMC Learning Exchange and the CITI platform. Reports are received automatically the user’s DISCOVR-e account will be updated within 1-2 business days.
6. When completing your training, please use the email address for the DISCOVR-e account for which the training should be applied if you have both a VU and VUMC DISCOVR-e account.
7. Please email a copy of the training certificate along with the VU or VUMC ID that needs to be updated to trainingcertificates@vumc.org ONLY if one of the below scenarios applies:
   1. Training is completed outside CITI or the Learning Exchange
   2. The user has both a VU and VUMC DISCOVR-e account and training needs to be updated for both accounts
   3. The user’s training needs to be updated immediately and cannot wait 1-2 business days
   4. It has been more than 1-2 business days since training was completed and the user’s DISCOVR-e account has not yet been updated to reflect the training.

INITIAL TRAINING FOR VUMC USERS:

Basic initial training is obtained through the following options:

• The Learning Exchange. Search for the module "HRPP Basic Module". Go to: Learning Exchange
• The CITI Program. Choose either the Basic “Group 1: Biomedical” or “Group 2: Social and Behavioral” Research Course. CLICK HERE to access CITI Program

INITIAL TRAINING FOR VU USERS:

Basic initial training is obtained through the following options:

The CITI Program. Choose either the Basic “Group 1: Biomedical” or “Group 2: Social and Behavioral” Research Course. CLICK HERE to access CITI Program

RENEWAL TRAINING:

Renewal Training can be completed through the following options:

• Online HRPP Sessions through the Learning Exchange (VUMC ONLY). HSP training modules can be found by entering “HRPP” in the learning exchange search box. 

*you may choose any ONE of the HRPP modules in the Learning Exchange. Please note that you may only complete the HRPP Basic Module and the other HRPP modules in the Learning Exchange one time.  You will not receive credit for attempting to retake a previously completed HRPP module.

• HRPP 2 You/IRB 2 You In Person sessions (IRB Basics, IRB Essentials, Departmental/Group In-service requests)
• An optional/refresher course through The CITI Program (e.g. Good Clinical Practices or Responsible Conduct of Research). CLICK HERE to access CITI Program. 
• Completion of the OHRP “Human Research Protection Foundational Training.”  CLICK HERE  to access OHRP.
• Attendance at a local, regional, or national conference regarding human subject protections.
• Other training may be approved on a case-by-case basis if the content includes human subjects protections. Approval by an HRPP Manager is needed.

Required for anyone who is involved in the conduct, oversight, or management of clinical trials. 

IMPORTANT NOTES:

1. Initial and Renewal Training are set for 3-year cycles.
2. Completion of GCP training will also satisfy the requirement for HSP training. 
3. The CITI platform CITI Program requires you to register as a user before logging in.
4. When logging in to CITI, “Vanderbilt University” is the account for both VUMC and VU users.
5. Appropriate documentation (certificate of completion) is required for all training. 
6. HRPP will receive completion reports from the CITI platform. Reports are received automatically and the user’s DISCOVR-e account will be updated within 1-2 business days. 
7. Please email a copy of the training certificate along with the VU or VUMC ID that needs to be updated to trainingcertificates@vumc.org ONLY if one of the below scenarios applies:
   1. Training is completed outside CITI or the Learning Exchange
   2. The user has both a VU and VUMC DISCOVR-e account and training needs to be updated for both accounts
   3. The user’s training needs to be updated immediately and cannot wait 1-2 business days
   4. It has been more than 1-2 business days since training was completed and the user’s DISCOVR-e account has not yet been updated to reflect the training.
8. ANY GCP training also needs to be documented by completing this REDCap Survey. 
9. If you are unsure if the GCP training you plan to take will be accepted by VUMC, please contact research.support.services@vumc.org before you take the course.

GCP TRAINING OPTIONS:

GCP Courses for Biomedical Investigators and KSP

• CITI offers a GCP Course as well as refresher courses at CITI Program

• Other entities (e.g., NIAID, Partners-MRCT) offer GCP training for biomedical or social/behavioral research.

• NIH-Sponsored GCP Trainings. If, as a part of your NIH-sponsored work, they specify a course that will meet the GCP requirements of NIH, VUMC will also accept this training.

Below are options for Instructor-led sessions (will satisfy HSP training requirement): 

 IRB Basics

These sessions provide an overview of IRB fundamentals and an opportunity to receive assistance from HRPP staff after the presentation.  Objectives for the session include: Identifying regulatory changes in the protection of human research subjects; identifying activities which require IRB review; and requirements surrounding the consent process, when it can be waived and when re-consenting is required. Basics sessions are held quarterly.

IRB Essentials 

These sessions provide education about specific IRB policies and procedures or other topics of interest. Objectives, depending on subject matter, may include: identifying violations in research that influenced the development of ethical principles and legal requirements currently governing human subjects research; identifying the agencies governing human subjects research; identifying examples of current projects and how federal guidance and IRB policies may affect the review process; describing what and how changes affect IRB review; and discussing issues regarding the consent process. Essentials sessions are held every other month. 

UPCOMING OFFERINGS:

• June 12, 2026 : 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.  Register Here

  IRB Essentials: “Unanticipated Problems (NC/AE Reporting to the IRB)”

   

• August 7, 2026 : 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Register Here

  IRB Basics with Office Hours

   

• September 11, 2026 : 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Register Here

  IRB Essentials: “The Basics of Continuing Review, Study Closure, and Study Updates”

   

• November 6, 2026 : 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Register Here

  IRB Basics with Office Hours

Departmental or Group In-Service Requests:

VUMC HRPP can also provide any type of human research protections training for an individual department or Investigators and key study personnel. We will need some basic information regarding the audience and type of in-service request. You have the option of selecting one of many topics or designing an in-service specific to your department and/or team.

To request an in-service please Click Here

Q: Is GCP training the same as human subjects protection training?

A: No. GCP training is an additional separate training and is not basic human subjects protection training. GCP principles are specific to clinical trials and include international ethical and scientific quality standards for designing, conducting, recording, and reporting clinical trials.

Q: Once I complete my training, how long does it take to get credit?

A: Please allow 1-2 business days for documentation verification from any of the training sources (CITI, Learning Exchange, In person sessions, etc.).

Q: I took my training a week ago and now I still cannot submit my study. DISCOVR-e does not have my training requirement. Help! 

A: Please verify if you are using your VU account or your VUMC account. You may be trying to submit your study under one account while your credit for training is registered under the other account. 

Q: I am having issues with GCP Training requirement verificiation. Who do I contact?

A: Please contact Research Support Services at 322-7343 or research.support.services@vumc.org.

Q: I get a user error message that prevents me from logging in. 

A: you may need to register as a VU user per the instructions on the sign-in page.

Q: I have training from another institution – can it be used?

A: Yes, submit the documentation to trainingcertificates@vumc.org.