Step 1: UCLA Researcher Registers the reliance in the IRB electronic submission system
The UCLA Researcher is responsible for registering the study in the IRB electronic submission system.
The reliance registration is a short smartform that requests only summary information about the study, information necessary to communicate information to other UCLA offices (e.g., contracts and grants, coverage analysis), and copies of important materials.
The UCLA investigator is responsible for:
- Following the IRB approved protocol
- Ensuring all UCLA personnel are qualified and meet UCLA education/training requirements
- Not modifying the protocol or materials without first obtaining review and approval from the Reviewing IRB
- Accepting responsibility for the conduct of the study at UCLA, the ethical performance of the project, and the protection of the rights and welfare of the human participants who are directly involved with UCLA personnel; and
- Obtaining any required ancillary approvals before commencing the research.
Step 2: UCLA OHRPP staff completes administrative review of reliance registration
UCLA does not complete an additional IRB review; instead, the OHRPP completes an administrative review of the application that includes the following:
- Negotiate and execute an IRB reliance agreement (if necessary)
- Confirm that the necessary documentation from the reviewing IRB is included
- Confirm UCLA personnel have completed required human subjects protection training
- Verify that consent documents include any required local language (See Consent Form Checklist for Reliance on External IRBs)
- Identify necessary local ancillary reviews (e.g., conflict of interest, radiation safety).
The OHRPP staff will issue an “Acknowledgement of External Review” notice when the OHRPP administrative review is complete, signifying that UCLA human subjects protection requirements have been met. This documentation helps other University units (e.g., Pharmacy) verify that another institution’s IRB approval is also valid for UCLA.
