Training Completion Guide

Compliance training helps ensure your research meets federal regulations, University policies, and ethical standards. This page outlines what training is required, who needs it, and how to complete it.

Who needs to complete compliance training?

Training requirements apply to:

Principal investigators and co-investigators
Research staff and study coordinators
Students involved in research
Anyone interacting with human participants or sensitive data

All individuals listed on a study must complete required training before participating in research activities.

What training do I need?

Summary of Training Requirements by Research Role and Activity
If you are ...	You need ...
Working with Human Participants	CITI Human Subjects
Handling Health Data	HIPAA Training
PI or Senior Personnel	COI Disclosure + Training
On a Funded Project	Sponsor-Specific Training

Required Training

Depending on your research activities, you may be required to complete:

Human Research Protection (CITI Training)

Required for all personnel involved in human subjects research
HIPAA / Data Privacy Training

Required for access to identifiable health information
Conflict of Interest (COI) Training

Required for investigators on sponsored projects
Additional sponsor-specific training (e.g., DoD, NIH)

Training must be completed before IRB approval and renewed periodically.

How to Complete Your Training

Log into the required training platform (e.g., CITI Program)
Select the course assigned to your role
Complete all modules and assessments
Ensure your completion is recorded in Northwestern systems

If your training is not reflected in eIRB+, your study approval may be delayed.

Why Compliance Training Matters

Compliance training protects:

Research participants and their rights
The integrity and credibility of your research
Northwestern’s ability to conduct federally funded research

It’s a shared responsibility across investigators, staff, and the institution.

Final Step: Verify Your Status

Once you’ve finished your modules, log into eIRB+ to verify your profile has updated. If your status hasn't changed after two business days, contact the IRB office for assistance.