Compliance Committees Training & Education

Training requirements differ among the three committees. What type of training you require depends on the individual committee to which you are submitting documents. Please be aware that the Office of Research Compliance verifies attendance and completion of mandatory training.

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC):

In compliance with federal regulations, the Clemson University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) requires that all faculty, staff and students involved in the use of animals in research and teaching programs at Clemson University complete appropriate training. To meet these training needs, web based, interactive animal care and use training modules have been developed for Clemson University faculty, staff and students. All individuals involved in animal use at Clemson University are required to complete one or more online training modules prior to working with animals.

The specific training areas mandated by the Animal Welfare Act and the PHS Policy are described in the training modules. The online courses are intended to meet all or part of the training requirements. Additional didactic and/or hands-on training may be required based on an individual’s role in research or teaching activities involving the use of animals.

Individuals must document adequate training prior to conducting procedures with animals. Investigators and research technicians who are not experienced with animal procedures required by the protocol must schedule individual training through the Office of Research Services. Veterinarians and animal care supervisors with skills and experience in performing specific procedures will provide training and provide the IACUC with an assessment of the individual qualifications.

University employees with occupational exposure to animals, animal tissue or waste, or human biohazards must enroll in the Medical Surveillance Program (MSP) and complete and document the appropriate training (Zoonotic or OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, or both.)

Institutional Review Board (IRB) for Human Subjects:

To meet federal regulations, the Clemson University (CU) IRB requires Principal Investigators and all research team members to complete appropriate training in the protection of human subjects, with continuing education required every two years.

The requirement for human subjects protection training will be met by successfully completing the appropriate Collaborative IRB Training Initiative (CITI) human subjects training modules. The website address for this training is: www.citiprogram.org.

The CITI online training program has two basic course tracks: Social and Behavioral Sciences and Biomedical Research. It is anticipated that most individuals from Clemson University will be taking the Social and Behavioral Sciences track. (Go to the CITI Help Page for more information.)

The Social and Behavioral Sciences track has 8 required modules. Each module takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. There are also various optional modules, (e.g., research involving minors, research in public elementary and secondary schools, and internet research). If your research involves these topics, you will be required to complete the appropriate “optional” modules as well. The training may be fulfilled in steps by completing training modules, logging out, logging in at a later time, and completing more modules.

A passing score of 80% or better is needed to meet the CU IRB training requirement. The IRB staff have access to an online database that tracks all CU-affiliated CITI training, so there is no need to send a copy of your Course Completion Certificate to the IRB. However, we recommend you print or download a copy of this Course Completion Certificate once you have completed your training, for your own records and as evidence of successful completion of training.

Questions regarding your requirements should be addressed to the IRB Administrator, Laura Moll, at 864-656-6460.

NOTE: Two years have passed since the IRB began requiring CITI training for all researchers, so continuing education is now due even for researchers whose previous IRB-approved training was accepted for two years under a grandfathering clause. For more information on this requirement, please follow this link to our newsletter (September 2006, page 3).


Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC):

You may be required to take certain classes or attend seminars prior to receiving full approval from the IBC. This training may include the following:

Blood Borne Pathogens: Please see http://ehs.clemson.edu/training/BBP/index.htm

Chemical Hygiene Training: Please see http://ehs.clemson.edu/training/CHP/index.html

Hazardous Waste Management Training: Please see http://ehs.clemson.edu/training/hazwaste/index.html

MSD Sheets: Please see http://ehs.clemson.edu/training/msds/index.html

Chemical Fume Hood: Please see http://ehs.clemson.edu/training/chemhood/index.html

Biological Safety: Please see http://ehs.clemson.edu/training/biosafety/index.html

Biological Safety Cabinets: Please see http://ehs.clemson.edu/training/BSC/index.html

Medical Surveillance: Please see http://www.hehd.clemson.edu/MSP/

Hantavirus Training: Please contact Sue Pedrick at (864) 656-5529 or at spedric@clemson.edu.