Certified Research Administrator (CRA) Study Team

Benefits of the program include:

• On-going professional development
  
• Reinforces your commitment to lifelong learning
  
• Build credibility in research administration
  
• Demonstrates expertise
  
• Recognition

Candidates applying to set for the Certified Research Administrator’s examination must have these requirements:

1. Bachelor’s degree and three (3) years of professional experience in research or sponsored programs administration either in a sponsoring or recipient organization or the equivalent in a self-funded organization;
   OR
2. An Associate’s degree and five (5) years of professional experience in research or sponsored programs administration either in a sponsoring or recipient organization or the equivalent in a self-funded organization;
   OR
   
3. No degree and six (6) years of professional experience in research or sponsored programs administration either in a sponsoring or recipient organization or the equivalent in a self-funded organization (this requires completion of a Petition Application (see link below).

There are two testing periods, one in May and another in November of every year.  In order to take the exam you must submit an application at the CRA website at www.cra-cert.org. The exam fee is $395 which must be paid by the participant or the participant's department. You will then receive a letter in the mail indicating whether or not your application has been accepted and instructions for scheduling your exam.  The applications are normally due in March for the May testing period and in September for the November testing period.

You will be required to take the exam through the Professional Testing Corporation at an approved exam site with the closest exam site located in Roanoke, VA. The exam consists of 250 computerized multiple choice questions with the below categories and allocations:

• Project development and administration - 30%
  
• Legal requirements and sponsor interface - 30%
  
• Financial management  - 25%
  
• General management - 15%

To maintain your designation you will be required to recertify every 5 years. You will need to complete a recertification application which describes your activities over the last 5 years in research administration. You will be responsible for tracking your contact hours which can include participation in workshops/conferences, presentations given, articles written, etc. The number of contact hours of education needed for recertification is 80. You will also be required to submit 3 exam questions for possible use in future exams. The recertification fee is $200.

• Certified Research Administrator website - Body of Knowledge
  
• Review Session from the Research Administrators Certification Council
  
• Practice test through the Professional Testing Corporation, cost $50 (75 questions)
  
• Research administration listserv
  
• Certified Research Administrator Study Team Google Site - access will be given upon enrollment into the program

If you plan to sit for the exam, you are eligible to participate in the study team. Please contact CRA@vt.edu for access to the course materials.  There is no cost for participating in the sessions.

The study sessions will last approximately two hours each session. 

Please note that attending these sessions alone will not guarantee that you will pass the exam. Individuals are expected to spend additional time outside of the sessions studying for the exam. 

The volume of material that could be on the exam is too great to possibly cover in a few sessions. By participating in the study team you will likely be able to determine subject areas that are less familiar to you and will require additional study time on your own time.

What is expected of each team member?

Prior to submitting an application, you should discuss the program benefits and requirements with your supervisor and seek approval for participation. 

Each participant will be expected to attend and participate in the study sessions.