The International Accreditation Council for Clinical Research & Education (IACCRE) is a global organization that provides accreditation and quality assurance for clinical research training programs and service providers. Founded in 1972, IACCRE originally focused on accrediting professional education programs in clinical research. In 1981, its scope expanded to also include accreditation of Clinical Research Organizations (CROs) and other providers of clinical research training and services internationally.

IACCRE’s mission is to advance and assure quality in clinical research education and services. It does this by setting standards and assessing organizations that offer certification training for roles like Certified Clinical Research Associates (CRAs) and Certified Clinical Research Coordinators (CRCs). By accrediting these programs, IACCRE aims to promote high quality training that prepares individuals to practice competently and ethically in clinical research.

The accreditation process serves as a framework for continuous evaluation and improvement. IACCRE’s standards reflect the expectations and advances of the profession. This benefits multiple stakeholders:

• For the general public, accreditation by IACCRE provides assurance that an organization has undertaken activities to improve the quality of its clinical research programs and services. It shows an explicit commitment to success in delivering training and conducting clinical trials to the highest standards. This raises the caliber of clinical research practice, improving healthcare services available to the public.
• For students and prospective students, accreditation indicates that a training program has been thoroughly reviewed and found to provide satisfactory preparation for a career in clinical research. This gives students confidence in the education they will receive.
• For colleges, schools, and other training providers, accreditation offers an opportunity for external evaluation, feedback, and guidance for self-improvement. It encourages strengthening of programs to better serve students and the profession.
• For the clinical research field overall, IACCRE accreditation enables practitioners to shape the requirements for quality education and competency. This raises the standards and capabilities of new practitioners.
• For regulators and funding agencies, IACCRE provides a credible benchmark for decision-making about scholarships and other support opportunities.
  

IACCRE accreditation provides rigorous quality assurance that benefits clinical research education and practice worldwide. The review process and standards aim to improve training programs, organizations, and individual competency. This ensures clinical trials and research studies meet high ethical and professional standards, protecting research participants. It also enables students and professionals to attain the knowledge, skills and experience to advance medical research and innovation. With over 50 years of experience, IACCRE continues to be a leader in promoting excellence in clinical research globally through its voluntary, peer-driven accreditation services. Its efforts contribute significantly to high quality drug development processes and clinical trial oversight worldwide.