CITI Training FAQ List
1. What is CITI training?
The Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative is a web-based program designed to provide training in various research topics. The IRB requires all investigators who submit applications to complete a CITI course in human subjects research.
2. Why did the John Carroll IRB select CITI to provide training?
The CITI program was selected because it was created by content experts from 10 institutions, is widely accepted at most universities and research institutions, is easily accessible, and is cost-effective in comparison with other options. Founded in 2000, CITI is continually updated in response to current events and changes in federal regulations.
The mission of the CITI Program is “To promote the public’s trust in the research enterprise by providing high quality, web-based, research ethics educational materials to enhance the integrity and professionalism of investigators and staff conducting research.”
3. Who at John Carroll should complete the human subjects portion of the CITI training?
All key personnel (researchers, student researchers, and their advisors) who are engaged in human subjects research must complete CITI training before an IRB application is considered complete. All Members of the IRB must complete the member training as well.
4. What elective modules should I take to fulfill training requirements?
The electives should match the type of research you plan on conducting. For example, if you are doing survey research over the Internet, we would expect you to select the Internet Research module as an elective. Users can take additional elective or optional modules if they would like.
5. What other courses are available on the John Carroll CITI site?
There are many options beyond Human Subjects Research training. We’ve added the FCOI course (Financial Conflict of Interest) for those researchers who are planning to submit a grant proposal to the National Institutes of Health and any other PHS agency. The course is designed to comply with new NIH requirements. Research students on federal grants may be required to take the Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR) course, the Health Information Privacy & Security (HIPS) course, or a Good Clinical Practice (GCP) course. IACUC courses are also available to John Carroll animal researchers and members of the JCU IACUC.
6. How does CITI work?
Users can log into the CITI site under the John Carroll affiliation by creating a new username and password. Users should use their JCU email (@jcu.edu) for their account. Faculty advisors of student research should complete the IRB Researchers and Sponsors course with the addition of the “Students in Research” elective module.
Each course is comprised of several short modules. Most modules are completed by taking a short quiz with a passing score of 85 percent. Users can log in and out of the site to complete the course and retake the quiz to achieve a passing score.
When the course has been completed, the user can print out a list of modules taken. The IRB office can also track who has completed which course.
7. How do I log into the CITI system?
Users can log into the system at citiprogram.org. New users are required to register by creating a username and password and selecting John Carroll University for their affiliation. Learners should use their JCU email (@jcu.edu) when they create their account. For more information, click here.
8. I’ve forgotten my password or my username. Can you reset it?
No, but you can have the CITI site reset it for you automatically. Click on the link “Forgot?” inside the login box for Username or Password on the CITI login page. Your security question may be required.
9. Who can I contact for questions or help?
Feel free to contact the IRB Office at extension x1527 or stop by the office in SIH250, or you can email the IRB Administrator. The IRB Administrator has access to all the CITI training data of JCU-affiliated users. Questions and comments are welcome!
10. How long is my CITI certification valid?
Your CITI training certification is valid for three years. A few months before the expiration date, you will receive an email from CITI urging you to take a "Refresher Course" to keep your training current. The refresher courses are shorter than the original training course but will contain any new or revised information a researcher would need. To take a refresher course - or any additional courses - log into your CITI account to enroll.
11. I’ve already taken CITI training at another university. Do I need to take it again?
If you’ve completed CITI training within the last three years, you don’t need to take it again unless special modules are required for the type of research you are proposing. You can print off your CITI certificate and send it to the IRB office, or you can change the affiliation of your CITI profile to John Carroll. The IRB Administrator has access to all the CITI training data of JCU-affiliated users but not those from other institutions.
12. I’m going to graduate school at another university. Will CITI training be accepted at the other university?
Most universities will accept the CITI program to meet the requirement of training in the ethical conduct of human subjects research. You can print off the completion report and provide it to professors or to the IRB office. If your new institution has a CITI subscription, you can affiliate with your new institution.
Updated 3/19/2025