Certified Research Administrator Exam

Candidates applying to sit for the CRA examination must meet one of these requirements:

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree and three (3) years of professional experience in research or sponsored programs administration either in a sponsoring or recipient organization or the equivalent in a self-funded organization; or
• Associate’s degree and five (5) years of professional experience in research or sponsored programs administration either in a sponsoring or recipient organization or the equivalent in a self-funded organization; or
• No degree and six (6) years of professional experience in research or sponsored programs administration either in a sponsoring or recipient organization or the equivalent in a self-funded organization.

*In October 2025, the RACC Board of Directors voted to remove the option to petition to waive eligibility requirements.

Exams are held each May and November and require registration. To begin the registration process, submit an CRA Exam Application, via the RACC, and pay the exam fee of $395. Interested participants should discuss with their supervisors whether this cost can be covered by their department.

Upon completion of the application and payment, participants will receive mailed correspondence indicating their application’s acceptance and instructions for scheduling the exam. The exam is administered at an approved exam site by Professional Testing Corporation.

Exam Format

The exam consists of 200 computerized multiple-choice questions within the categories and allocations below:

• Project Development and Administration 44%
• Legal Requirements and Sponsor Interface 20%
• Financial Management 21%
• General Management 15%

Application Deadlines
April 8, 2026 by 11:59 PM EST (May window)
October 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM EST (November window)

Testing Periods
May 9 - 23, 2026
November 7 - 21, 2026

• Visit the Research Administrators Certification Council (RACC) for a CRA candidate handbook, body of knowledge, practice tests and review sessions
• Join the RESADM-L email list
• Attend UT sponsored trainings and events, such as monthly ARA meetings, webinars and CITI trainings
• View previous NCURA trainings from OSP (UT EID access only)
• Read the Guide to Managing Federal Grants
• Join the UT Austin CRA study group (UT Austin employees only)

The CRA Study Group is a self-study program facilitated by group meetings and designed for all interested UT research administrators who qualify to take the CRA exam. Please contact the OSP Training team at osp-training@austin.utexas.edu to join.

Already certified, but want to attend as a mentor to support others? Individuals' experience and expertise are highly valued, and their participation makes them eligible for recertification.

Study Group Schedule

The study group is set up in 12 Modules with additional helpful resources available asynchronously for eligible UT Austin employees only. Additionally, there are 12 weekly virtual sessions leading up to the upcoming exam window for participants to debrief and to discuss the content of the Modules. See the TEXAS Research Events calendar for the current semester’s dates, times and locations.

The course topics outlined in the syllabus are taken from the RACC Body of Knowledge, and content for each topic is identified in the syllabus from the Body of Knowledge itself and the Guide to Managing Federal Grants.

The study group virtual sessions are scheduled to coincide with a regular lunch hour, but attending sessions may require additional time. Prior to committing to attending, discuss the program benefits and requirements with a supervisor and seek approval for participation if necessary.

The volume of material that could be on the exam is too great to cover exhaustively. The study group helps participants determine which subject areas may require additional focus. Participants may prefer to review each of these Modules on a weekly basis leading up to the upcoming exam window.

NOTE: Participating in the study group does not guarantee that a participant will pass the exam but rather serves as an additional resource. Individuals should expect to spend additional time preparing for the exam outside of study group virtual sessions. Special focus and additional time should be allotted in subject areas and concepts where you are less familiar.

The Research Administrators Certification Council (RACC) updated all its materials in accordance with changes to the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) effective October 1, 2024. As of July 1, 2025, references to the Uniform Guidance in all RACC exams (CRA, CFRA, and CPRA) and practice exams reflect the revised 2024 guidance.

Recertification requirements for the CRA will vary based on exam date.

For those taking their CRA exam in 2023 or later:

• Certification is valid for a 3-year term (term expiration available via Certificant Profile)
• Recertification will require 42 contact hours

For those who took their CRA prior to 2023:

• The expiration date of current certificate remains valid, with a 5-year term (term expiration available via Certificant Profile)
• Requirements for that 5-year terms apply (80 contact hours)
• After 5-year term expires, recertification will be based on a 3-year, 42-hour contact term

To recertify, one must either apply for recertification or retake the certification exam.

Recertification Application

An application for recertification will include:

• Information regarding continued participation or employment in the field
• A detailed transcript of contact hours and necessary documentation. It is the responsibility of the participant to track contact hours which can include participation in workshops/conferences, delivering presentations, writing articles, etc. The RACC provides information on how to earn contact hours on their website.
• $195 application fee; late application fee is $295