IRB Levels of Review
There are three levels of IRB review. The level of review for a study is primarily dependent on the level of risk associated with the research and the intended population being studied. Federal regulations include categories of research that may be considered under expedited review or exempt from further review.
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Exempt from Further Review
Protocols that fall into categories in accordance with the are considered exempt from further review once REC has made an exempt determination. Exempt studies are reviewed continuously. The average time to receive an exempt determination is about three days.
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Expedited Review
Protocols under expedited review are typically reviewed by only the IRB Chair, but still must meet the criteria for approval as full board review protocols. In order to qualify for expedited review, projects must present no more than minimal risk to human subjects. Expedited studies are reviewed continuously. The average time for approval is about three days.
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Full Board Review
All other studies, including those involving deception of subjects in ways that may lead to their distress or the collection of identifiable data that may subject subjects to more than minimal risk, must go to the full IRB at a convened meeting. Full board protocols must be submitted in Cayuse IRB (now called Human Ethics) two weeks prior to the IRB meeting.