Certified Research Administrator
An editor has nominated this article for deletion. You are welcome to participate in the deletion discussion, which will decide whether or not to retain it. |
 |
The Certified Research Administrator (CRA) designation is granted in the United States by the Research Administrators Certification Council to individuals who demonstrate the knowledge necessary to serve as an administrator of professional and sponsored research programs.[1] Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree, possess at least three years of related experience, and pass the Certified Research Administrator examination before being conferred the right to use the CRA designation.[2] The RACC also offers Certified Pre-Award Research Administrator and Certified Financial Research Administrator designations.
CRA Designation
According to the RACC, the CRA designation carries numerous benefits to those who hold it, such as recognition among professionals, a sense of personal satisfaction, indication of expertise in the administration of sponsored research endeavors, greater opportunities for employment, greater opportunities for advancement, robust credibility, and the ability to serve as a role model to research peers. The CRA designation is a registered certification mark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.[2]
As of May 1, 2018, approximately 2,782 active CRAs are listed in the RACC's online database.[3]
History
In 1993, the Research Administrators Certification Council (RACC) was founded as a private non-profit organization. Active CRAs sit on the council and have the role of certifying that an individual possesses adequate knowledge for serving as a professional research administrator of sponsored programs, particularly federally-funded research grants and contracts.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree and three years of substantial involvement in administrating sponsored research programs, in either a sponsoring, recipient, or self-funded organization. The Research Administrators Certification Council may waive the requirement of a bachelor's degree if an applicant petitions the council and possesses an Associate's degree and at least six years of experience or eight years of substantial experience working with sponsored research programs.[2]
Candidates must pass a written Certified Research Administrator examination designed by the RACC and administered by Professional Testing, Inc., which covers fundamental information necessary for meeting the demands and responsibilities of a career in sponsored program administration.[2]
CRA Exam Curriculum
The curriculum covered by the CRA examination is referred to by the RACC as the "Body of Knowledge," and has four broad components:
- Project Development and Administration
- Legal requirements and Sponsor Interface
- Financial Management
- General Management
Recertification
Every five years, CRAs must recertify to continue using the CRA designation. Recertification applicants are expected to demonstrate continued participation or employment in the field of research administration, including requisite hours of continuing education activities and a collection of several questions for potential use on future revisions of the CRA exam.[2]
References
- ^ *Kulakowski, Elliott C.; Chronister, Lynne U. (2006). Research administration and management. Sudbury, Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7637-3277-6.
- ^ a b c d e "Research Administrators Certification Council". Archived from the original on 12 June 2010. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "List of Active CRAs". Retrieved 1 May 2018.