Ethics Training and Certification

Effective July 1, 2025, ethics training and certification is mandatory for all Colby or Colby-sponsored researchers (faculty, students, staff, etc.) involved in human subject research. 

We ask that researchers renew their ethics training and certification every three years.

About Ethics Training

Ethics training and certification is required to ensure that all researchers understand their responsibilities when working with human subjects and are equipped to protect participants’ rights, welfare, and privacy. Training covers foundational principles like informed consent, risk minimization, confidentiality, and respect for persons, which are essential for conducting ethical human subject research. It also ensures compliance with federal regulations and institutional policies designed to safeguard participants. Completing ethics training demonstrates a commitment to responsible research practices and helps prevent harm, misconduct, and legal or ethical violations. 

For training and certification, Colby College provides free access to the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program), an online ethics training platform.  

How to Take Training and Get Certified

• Register or Log In to the CITI Program (if you’re already enrolled, log into your account).

• Select “Colby College” as your institution during registration. 

• Complete the Required Course – at a minimum, take the Social & Behavioral Research – Basic Course.

• Download the Certificate once all modules are complete. This will be a formal certificate that can be attached to your IRB application. NOTE: Proof of completed ethics training must be submitted with your IRB application. 

Documentation of equivalent training that may be accepted as an alternative with IRB permission. Please contact the IRB to discuss. Examples of alternatives are:

• • NIH Human Subjects Research Training

  • International human research ethics programs

  • Certifications from professional societies