Background

On July 1, 2005, CUNY implemented a new required computer based training program. The new program is referred to as CITI (the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative). CITI is now the required program to be taken by all CUNY researchers and key personnel involved in human subjects research, regardless of whether the research is funded or non-funded.

On June 5, 2000, the NIH issued the following policy: “Beginning on October 1, 2000, the NIH will require education on the protection of human research participants for all investigators submitting NIH applications for grants or proposals for contracts or receiving new or non-competing awards for research involving human subjects.” CUNY has chosen to follow the lead of the NIH and also require training for all investigators and key personnel regardless of funding.

Prior to July 1, 2005, CUNY had a computer-based training (CBT) available on the CUNY website and on the RFCUNY website. While this training was good, it had not been updated since it was designed many years ago. Many new issues have evolved in the ethical conduct of human subject research since the CBT was implemented.

CITI is a well-respected, web-based training product that was designed by, and is updated and maintained by a number of nationally known IRB professionals and is housed at the University of Miami. The CITI is more comprehensive than the CUNY CBT. It is designed around topic-specific modules, each followed by a short quiz. The number of modules needed for completion depends on the “Learner Group” with which a person identifies. (See Learner Group questions under FAQs). CITI is more time consuming than the current CBT; however, it does not have to be completed in one sitting. CITI is user-friendly and available 24/7/365. The CITI certificate expires after three years. The CITI learner must then successfully complete a refresher course.

What does this mean for researchers and key personnel who have already completed the CUNY CBT?

Any CUNY researchers and “key personnel” with a CBT certificate before July 1, 2005, will have a two-year grace period from the date of their CBT certificate to complete the CITI modules. No CBT certificates will be honored after June 30, 2007. Please be sure to keep a copy of your current CBT certificate. NOTE: There is no way to retrieve CBT certificates or verify completion. The new CITI certificates will be valid for three years before a refresher course is required. CITI will automatically send you a reminder for the refresher course prior to the expiration of your CITI certificate.

IRB Members and Staff

All new IRB members and staff are required to have completed the "IRB Members and Staff" learner group modules. New members are required to have completed CITI modules prior to serving on the IRB.

Getting Started

CITI may be accessed at https://www.citiprogram.org. Follow the instructions at that site. Select "City University of New York" as your institution rather than your campus. In order to start, you will need to select a Learner group. (See FAQs for help in selecting the appropriate Learner group.) If you are having problems with the CITI site or course, contact the CITI Office at citisupport@med.miami.edu or at 305 243-7970.

If you have any questions regarding the CITI requirements, please contact the Office of Research Conduct at 212.794.5428.

If you want to take CITI modules related to Responsible Conduct of Research, go to https://www.citiprogram.org/rcrpage.asp