Training for Researchers

Human Subjects Researchers

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office of Research and Development (ORD) requires all individuals involved in conducting VA human subjects research to complete training in the ethical principles on which human subjects research is to be conducted no less frequently than every 3 years.

NOTE: All other applicable VA and VHA training requirements at the local and national level must be met (e.g., privacy and VA information security training).

The following VA Investigators and research staff are required by ORD to take training in ethical principles on which human subjects research is to be conducted:

• All individuals involved in the conduct of VA human subjects research regardless of pay status, appointment type (title 38, title 5, IPA, or WOC), and length of time at the VA facility, including, but not limited to:
  • Investigators;
  • Study coordinators;
  • Research assistants;
  • Other members of the research team;
  • Trainees, such as house officers and students.
• This training requirement also applies to investigators and research team members conducting studies involving human subjects that are exempt from IRB review, as well as those conducting human research for which the IRB has granted a waiver of informed consent or a waiver of documentation of informed consent.

To view other Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Veterans Health Administration (VHA) mandated trainings, please go to the EES intranet site at ILEAD (sharepoint.com). To sign in to TMS, go to https://www.tms.va.gov/SecureAuth35/.   

Animal Researchers

See required training for staff involved in the use of animals in research.

Laboratory Researchers

See the Biosafety & Biosecurity Program.