Research Integrity & Compliance:Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Training

Research training requires successful completion of online training modules from the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) website. All individuals, principal investigators, co-investigators, post-docs, research assistants, undergraduate and graduate students and all other personnel engaged in research must complete the CITI training modules. Depending on the number and complexity of trainings your research area requires, the time to complete your training modules may range from 4-8 hours. You may exit and resume the training at any time. Once successfully completed, a refresher course is required every three years. You will receive a reminder notification prior to your training’s expiration date. At any time, you may return to the training modules and print a certificate.

Step 1: Register for Your CITI Account

The steps to register for a CITI account are the same across IACUC, IBC and IRB. Once you have registered for an account, follow the instructions in Step 2 below to find the training modules required for your specific program.

  1. Access the CITI website link at: https://www.citiprogram.org/
  2. Create an account by clicking “Register” in the top right-hand corner of the webpage.
  3. Select East Texas A&M University (SSO) as your Organization Affiliation.
  4. Agree to the terms of service and affiliation, and click “Log in with East Texas A&M University.” This will take you to the initial page that says “Associate your SSO account with a CITI Program Account.”
  5. Click on “I don't have a CITI Program account and I need to create one.” This will allow you to create your account.
  6. Click on Institutional courses and select “Add a Course.”

Step 2: Find Your Modules

Now that you have registered for a CITI account, it’s time to locate and complete your training modules. Navigate to the section below that relates to your research to see specific training requirements.

Note: You do not need to complete training in ALL areas listed below, only in the field that relates to your particular research (animals vs. biosafety vs. humans).

I’m Researching Animals

Complete IACUC – Animal Care and Use Training

East Texas A&M University requires all individuals conducting or participating in research projects involved in animal care and use (including faculty, staff, postdocs, research assistants and students, etc.) to complete training for proper animal care and use.

  • Responsible Conduct of Research – On Question 1: Responsible Conduct of Research, select either Biomedical or Physical Science, depending on your research area.
  • Laboratory Animal Welfare – On Question 3: Laboratory Animal Welfare, click on Working with the IACUC Course.
  • Species Specific Modules – Also on Question 3, you will need to complete the appropriate Species-Specific Module depending upon your research area.
  • Minimizing Pain and Distress – Complete this module if you plan to conduct studies that have the potential to cause “more than momentary pain and distress” in mice or rats.
  • Aseptic Surgery – Complete this module if you intend to conduct major survival surgery or non-survival surgeries in non-rodent species.

Once you have made your selections, click Submit at the bottom of the page. This will take you to the courses that you need to complete.

I’m Researching Chemical or Biological Samples

Complete IBC – Biosafety Training

  • Responsible Conduct of Research – On Question 1: Responsible Conduct of Research, select either Biomedical or Physical Science, depending on your research area.
  • Questions 2 and 3: Select “no thank you.”
  • Introduction to Biosafety Groups – Select this option from Question 4.
  • Basic Biosafety Training Groups Training for Investigators, Staff and Students Handling Biohazards – Select this option from Question 4.

Once you have made your selections, click Submit at the bottom of the page. This will take you to the courses that you need to complete.

I’m Researching Human Beings

Complete IRB – Human Participants Training

East Texas A&M University is committed to the protection of human subjects involved in research and other scholarly activities conducted by our faculty, staff or students. On the CITI website, you must complete:

  • Responsible Conduct of Research – On Question 1: Responsible Conduct of Research, select either Biomedical or Physical Science, depending on your research area.
  • Human Subjects Research – On Question 2, select Social & Behavioral Research Investigators.

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