Continuing Research Education Credit (CREC) Program

To help Case Western Reserve University’s researchers stay informed and up to date on training, the Office of Research and Technology Management facilitates a Continuing Research Education Credit (CREC) program. 

Through CREC, you can take free documented training on protecting human subjects of research. CREC is a collaborative program between CWRU, The MetroHealth System and University Hospitals (UH), and all training complies with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) education requirements

Looking for CREC-Approved Training? 

View the CREC-Approved Training Seminars, Videos and Quizzes.

CREC Program Requirements

Before beginning research activities, each study team member conducting research with human subjects must complete the initial core training through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Program, a subscription service offering research education content. 

Initial Core Training for CREC Certification  

The initial core training for the CREC certificate is one of the CITI courses below. Within the portal, select the course that is most relevant to your research or discipline. Only one of the courses will be eligible for credit.

  • Group 1: Biomedical Research Faculty, Staff & Students
  • Group 2: Social and Behavioral Research Faculty, Staff & Students

Enroll in Initial Core Training

Maintaining CREC Certification

Program members must acquire 12 credits every three years to maintain their CREC certification. Failure to attain credits will result in removal from the program. Once a member is removed from the program, they must complete the initial core training above.

Learn More the CREC Requirements

Transferring CITI Training and Affiliating

Researchers can transfer current* CITI training by affiliating with the CWRU CREC program. Once affiliated, email crec@case.edu. Additional training may be required based on local criteria and funding sources. Please note that not all CITI certificates are accepted; completion reports are required.

Learn How to Affiliate

*Current means training completed within the last two years.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) Requirements

NIH Good Clinical Practice Training Policy

NIH-funded investigators and staff involved in the conduct, oversight, or management of clinical trials must receive training every three years in Good Clinical Practice (GCP), consistent with the principles of the International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) E6. Review the free GCP training offered through CITI or the additional options listed above.

View the NIH Good Clinical Practice Training Policy

National Science Foundation (NSF) Requirements

NSF Responsible Conduct of Research Training Policy

All NSF faculty, senior personnel and trainees must complete Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training every three years. 

Select one of four CITI RCR courses in biomedical research, humanities, physical science, or social and behavioral research. Download the instructions for adding the course for new CITI users or current CITI users. This training is not eligible for CREC.

View the NSF Responsible Conduct of Research Training Policy

Research Seminar Series 

To support CREC offerings through ORTM, we offer a regular live webinar series on topics such as conflicts of interest, post-award services, research integrity/misconduct, technology transfer and more.

Explore Our Seminar Series

CITI Program Resources

CREC/Research Resources

Get in Touch

Contact our team to learn more about CREC at Case Western Reserve.