Is IRB Review Required?

General Information

An Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a group of individuals charged with reviewing proposed research involving human subjects to protect those subjects and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local human subjects laws, regulations, and policies.  While the principal investigator has primary responsibility for the conduct of the study, the Office of IRB Administration (OIA) and IRBs are responsible for protecting the rights and welfare of study participants. Before a research project involving human subjects is initiated at UCSD or RCHSD, it must be reviewed by the OIA or an IRB with jurisdiction to review on behalf of UCSD/RCHSD.

Navigate to the pages below to learn more about each topic:

• Determining if IRB Review is Required

• Level of Review

• Other OIA Administrative Determination or Registrations 

• Exempt Categories

• Expedited Categories

• Student Research

• Definitions