CRA Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CRA facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Under the National Incident Management System (NIMS), what is the purpose of the 'Unified Command' structure? → To allow multiple agencies with different legal authorities to manage an incident jointly
2. In a multicenter trial, which document defines the specific roles each staff member may perform related to investigational drug handling? → Delegation of authority log
3. Which technology trend is most likely to impact professional standards & ethics in the CRA field in coming years? → Digital tools for enhanced data collection, analysis, and reporting
4. Under the FFATA (Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act), first-tier subawards above what dollar threshold must be reported in USASpending.gov? → $25,000
5. In Certified Research Administrator, what role does professional standards & ethics play in ensuring client/stakeholder satisfaction? → It builds trust through demonstrated competence and consistency
6. Why include termination clauses? → To define how parties may exit the agreement
7. What is the purpose of a budget justification? → To explain the need for requested funds
8. A researcher wants to conduct a clinical trial at a VA medical center. Which additional regulatory requirement applies beyond standard IRB approval? → VA Research and Development Committee approval
9. Which document establishes the basis for negotiating a federally negotiated indirect cost rate with a cognizant federal agency? → Facilities and Administrative (F&A) cost proposal
10. What is the primary purpose of a budget justification in a grant proposal? → To explain and support each cost element in the proposed budget
11. Under FAR 52.227-11, what must a contractor do when electing to retain title to a subject invention made under a federal contract? → File a patent application within 12 months of disclosure
12. The SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) program requires that small businesses receiving awards: → Retain the principal research at U.S.-based small businesses and keep data rights
13. Which provision of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) requires contractors to disclose and manage organizational conflicts of interest? → FAR 9.5
14. A research facility's emergency action plan must address which of the following per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38? → Procedures for reporting emergencies and employee evacuation routes
15. In a modular NIH grant budget, what is the maximum allowable amount per module? → $25,000
16. How should a CRA professional handle a situation where quality assurance & continuous improvement protocols conflict with practical constraints? → Document the conflict and seek guidance from appropriate authorities
17. Under 21 CFR Part 11, electronic records and signatures used in FDA-regulated research must meet requirements for: → Trustworthiness, reliability, and equivalence to paper records and handwritten signatures
18. A no-cost extension (NCE) allows a grantee to: → Extend the performance period without additional federal funds to complete the work
19. Which of the following is a fundamental principle of quality assurance & continuous improvement as it applies to Certified Retail Analyst? → Systematic evaluation and adherence to established industry standards
20. What does a confidentiality clause do? → Protects sensitive information
21. Which document, required by 2 CFR 200, establishes an institution's written policies for managing federally funded property including research equipment? → The Property Management System standards
22. Which of the following is the correct definition of 'effort' in the context of federal research grants? → The proportion of total professional activity devoted to a sponsored project
23. Which of the following best describes a key competency required for communication & stakeholder management in CRA certification? → Critical thinking and evidence-based decision making
24. The principle of 'respect for persons' in the Belmont Report requires researchers to: → Acknowledge the autonomy of individuals and protect those with diminished autonomy
25. What federal regulation governs research involving prisoners as human subjects and imposes heightened protections? → 45 CFR Part 46 Subpart C
26. A research facility manager discovers that a fume hood's face velocity has dropped below 100 fpm. The FIRST action should be to: → Remove the fume hood from service and restrict access
27. In Emergency Preparedness & Safety, what is the FIRST step a CRA professional should take when encountering a new case or situation? → Conduct a comprehensive assessment and gather all relevant information
28. What is the primary ethical obligation of a CRA professional when a conflict of interest arises during quality assurance & continuous improvement activities? → Disclose the conflict to all relevant parties and recuse from the decision if necessary
29. Which quality improvement method is most applicable to quality assurance & continuous improvement in Certified Research Administrator? → Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) continuous improvement cycle
30. Which quality improvement method is most applicable to communication & stakeholder management in Certified Research Administrator? → Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) continuous improvement cycle