CRA Exam Information and Guideline
Certified Research Administrator
Below are complete topics detail with latest syllabus and course outline, that will help you good knowledge about exam objectives and topics that you have to prepare. These contents are covered in questions and answers pool of exam.
The Certified Research Administrator® Examination is a computer-based examination composed of a maximum of 250 multiple-choice, objective questions with a total testing time of four (4) hours. The content for the examination is described in the Body of Knowledge on the next page.
The questions for the examination are obtained from individuals with expertise in research administration and are reviewed for construction, accuracy, and appropriateness by the RACC.
RACC, with the advice and assistance of the Professional Testing Corporation, prepares the examination.
The Certified Research Administrator® Examination will be weighted in approximately the following manner:
I. Project Development and Administration 30%
II. Legal Requirements and Sponsor Interface 30%
III. Financial Management 25%
IV. General Management 15%
The Research Administrators Certification Council (RACC) promotes the concept of voluntary certification
by examination for all research and sponsored programs administrators. After passing this examination,
an individual earns the Certified Administrator® (CRA®) designation. Certification is just one part of a
process called “credentialing”. It focuses specifically on the individual and is one indication of current
competence in this specialized field. Certification in research and sponsored programs administration is
highly valued and provides formal recognition of basic knowledge in this field.
The Certified Research Administrator (CRA) credential means that you demonstrate a level of knowledge of all aspects of research administration. It is obtained by qualifying for and taking the CRA exam, which is administered by an independent certifying body, the Research Administrators Certification Council (RACC) http://www.cra-cert.org/(link is external). The CRA exam is rigorous, and it must be taken at a designated site and it is administered through Professional Testing Corporation. In a four-hour period, test-takers must answer 250 questions that cover the full spectrum of research administration.
I. PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
- Collection and Dissemination of Information
- Marketing - Internal and External
- Identification of funding opportunities
- Identification of internal capabilities
- Resource Documents, Application Materials, and Information
- Dissemination of Information/Publications
- Liaison
- Internal
- Funding sources
- Cooperative arrangements
- Public Relations
- Agency Structure and Practice
- Proposal Development
- Proposal Writing
- Budget Preparation
- Documentation to Meet Sponsor Requirements
- Internal Proposal Processing
- Negotiation Techniques
- Contracting Basics
- Administration of Awards
- Monitoring Activity
- Reports on Progress and Financial Status
- Continuation Funding
- Close Out
- Changes in Project Status
- Award Instruments
- Ethics and Professionalism
- Conflict of Interest
- Bioethics
- Human Subjects
- Animal Care
- Professional
- Intellectual Property
- Patents
- Copyrights
- Licensing
- Commercialization
- Data
- Proprietary Information
- Electronic Research Administration
II. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS AND SPONSOR INTERFACE
- Regulations and Statutes
- Overview of Regulatory and Legislative Process
- Governmental Relations
- Mandated Requirements
- Compliance - Federal Sponsors and General Management Practices
- Representations and Certifications
- Federal Drug-Free Workplace and Drug-Free Schools
- Federal Debt Delinquency
- Federal Debarment/Suspension
- Lobbying
- Conflicts of interest
- Scientific misconduct
- Other
- Federal Management Requirements
- Federal Acquisition Regulations
- Federal Assistance Administrative Regulations
- 2 CFR (Uniform Guidance and OMB Circulars)
- Institutional Committees
- Institutional Review Board
- Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
- Other
- Federal Disclosure Requirements
- Institutional and Sponsor Publication Requirements
- HIPAA Health
- International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR)/Export Administration Regulations (EAR)
- Federal/Sponsor Appeal Procedures
III. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
- Budgeting/Accounting
- Proposal Development
- Accounting Management
- Accounting systems/management information systems
- Sponsor documents
- Internal documents
- Accounting processes
- Effort reporting
- Service centers
- Program income
- Internal controls
- Cost transfers
- Rebudgeting
- Costs
- Direct Costs
- Indirect Costs
- Indirect Cost Rates
- Development
- Negotiation
- Cost Sharing
- Sponsor Financial Reporting
- Audit
- Types
- Internal and External Requirements
- Allowable Costs
IV. GENERAL MANAGEMENT
- Facility Management
- Specialized Facilities
- Property, Utility, and Equipment Management
- Inventory control
- Sale/disposal of equipment and property
- Lease vs. purchase
- Capital expenditures
- Sharing/pooling
- Central services
- Safety and Health Requirements and Procedures
- Hazardous and Nonhazardous Materials
- Security
- Renovation and Construction -Differentiation & Impact analysis
- Biohazards
- Other
- Contracts and Purchasing
- Basic Legal Concepts
- Management of Contracts and Purchasing
- Termination and Appeals
- Records Management
- Human Resource Management
- Employee/Labor Relations
- Career Development/Training
- Staffing
- Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity
- Compensation