Association of Clinical Research Professionals

What Association of Clinical Research Professionals does

The Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional association founded in 1976 and headquartered in the Washington, D.C. metro area (Alexandria, VA). It is the only non-profit solely dedicated to representing, supporting, and advocating for clinical research professionals. ACRP serves a global community of more than 22,000 clinical research professionals, including Clinical Research Coordinators (CRCs), Clinical Research Associates (CRAs), Principal Investigators (PIs), Sub-Investigators, and other study team members, alongside enterprise customers that include pharmaceutical sponsors, biotech firms, contract research organizations (CROs), health systems, and academic medical centers.

ACRP's product and service portfolio centers on membership, certification, training, and community engagement. The association administers six recognized credentials—ACRP-CP, CCRC, CCRA, CPI, ACRP-MDP, and ACRP-PM—alongside a catalog of 100-plus continuing education courses, an ICH E6(R3) Training Suite of 14 courses, a Good Clinical Practice simulation, the peer-reviewed Clinical Researcher journal, a Career Center, 40 local chapters, and an online community platform. Distribution runs through a self-serve membership portal, an online learning management system, an enterprise "Organization Membership" tier for teams, and an annual conference (ACRP 2026 in Orlando; ACRP 2027 in San Diego). Resource centers cover decentralized clinical trials (DCT), inclusion/equity, and guidelines/regulations.

ACRP generates revenue from individual membership dues (Industrialized $160/year, Student $60/year, Emerging Market $70/year), subscription-based Organization Membership for enterprise teams, certification exam and maintenance fees, training and contact-hour fees, home-study products, annual conference registration, advertising and Industry Alliance sponsorships (e.g., Huron, Parexel, Veeva), and grants such as a two-year NIH conference award through NCATS. The organization is led by CEO Susan Landis and governed by a Board of Trustees; it is not PE- or VC-backed and operates as an independent non-profit. Strategic alliances include a multi-stakeholder consortium, Partners Advancing the Clinical Research Workforce (PACRW), that brings together Merck, Genentech, Biogen, HCA Healthcare, Northwell Health, AdventHealth, Parexel, Veeva, Florence Healthcare, Duke University, and others.

Name

Association of Clinical Research Professionals

Legal name

Association of Clinical Research Professionals

Website

https://acrpnet.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ACRP is a 501(c)(3) professional association founded in 1976 that certifies, trains, and advocates for more than 22,000 clinical research professionals worldwide through membership, certification, education, and enterprise team solutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Membership & Certification Association

NAICS

Professional Organizations (813920), Business Associations (813910), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Clinical Research Support (CRC/CTA) (EDAOAJAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA), Credentialing, Certification Prep & Exam Training (BPACANAJ), Programmatic Accreditors (Discipline/Profession-Specific) (EDADACAC)

Keywords

• Clinical research certification
• Professional membership association
• Continuing education programs
• Clinical research training
• Workforce development

Headquarters

HQ city

Alexandria

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Individual Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from individual clinical research professionals at various tier levels including Industrialized ($160/year), Student ($60/year), and Emerging Market ($70/year) categories. Membership provides access to education, certification, community, and networking benefits.
2. Training Programs and Contact Hours: Revenue from training course enrollment, continuing education programs, and contact hour fees. Members receive free or discounted access to webinars and training programs, while non-members pay full rates.
3. Certification Fees: Fees for certification exams, exam prep materials, testing, and certification maintenance. Members receive discounted rates on all certification-related fees.
4. Annual Conference Registration: Revenue from annual conference attendance. Members save $200-$400 on registration compared to non-members.
5. Organization Membership: Organizational/enterprise membership providing scalable training and education solutions for life science organizations, sponsors, CROs, and academic institutions. Includes access to 200+ on-demand courses in a branded LMS.
6. Home Study Programs: Revenue from home study tests based on Clinical Researcher journal articles, offering contact hours for certification maintenance.
7. Advertising and Sponsorships: Industry alliance sponsors and advertising opportunities on the platform, including logos of sponsors like Huron, Parexel, Peter the Protocol Reader, and Veeva.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

ACRP is a non-profit professional membership association for clinical research professionals, providing gold-standard education, industry-recognized certification credentials, continuing education and training courses, professional networking, and workforce development programs for both individuals and organizations.

Product overview

The Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) is a membership-based professional organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and services for the clinical research industry. The core offerings center on ACRP Membership, which provides access to ACRP Certification Programs (ACRP-CP, CCRC, CCRA, CPI, ACRP-MDP, ACRP-PM) and ACRP Learning/Training Courses. The organization delivers education through multiple channels including on-demand courses, live webinars, home study programs, and the annual ACRP Conference. Supporting services include the ACRP Career Center, ACRP Online Community, and 40 local chapters for networking. ACRP also provides Employer Services including Organization Membership for teams. Resource centers cover guidelines and regulations, decentralized clinical trials, and inclusion/equity. The ACRP Clinical Research Glossary and Competency Domains Framework provide industry-standard references. Clinical Trials Day and the Partners Advancing the Clinical Research Workforce program represent major initiatives for workforce advocacy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ACRP Membership Membership program offering gold-standard education, rigorous certification, and professional connections for clinical research professionals. Includes Individual, Student, Emerging Market, Fellow, and Organization membership tiers.
• ACRP Certification Programs Comprehensive credentialing program offering multiple certifications including ACRP-CP (Certified Professional), CCRC (Certified Clinical Research Coordinator), CCRA (Certified Clinical Research Associate), CPI (Certified Principal Investigator), ACRP-MDP (Medical Device Professional), and ACRP-PM (Project Manager).
• ACRP Learning / Training Courses Extensive catalog of foundational training and continuing education programs including Good Clinical Practice (GCP) courses, ICH E6(R3) training, ethics courses, protocol development, quality management systems, and regulatory compliance training. Features on-demand, live webinar, home study, and recorded conference content.
• ACRP Employer Services Organizational solutions including team learning, team certification, advertising and sponsorships, and Organization Membership providing scalable training and professional development resources for clinical study teams.
• ACRP Career Center Job board and career resources providing access to clinical research job listings, resume posting, expert career advice, interview coaching, and offer analysis tools for professionals seeking employment in clinical research.
• ACRP Annual Conference Premier annual education and networking conference for clinical research professionals featuring multiple educational tracks, signature series sessions, and networking opportunities. Next conference scheduled for San Diego, April 30 - May 3, 2027.
• Clinical Researcher Journal Peer-reviewed journal publishing articles on clinical research practices, AI in clinical trials, regulatory compliance, workforce development, and industry trends. Includes Home Study tests for continuing education credits.
• Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Simulation Interactive simulation-powered training program helping ensure compliance with ICH E6(R2) standards. Features role-playing scenarios for study coordinators, investigators, and monitors in a risk-free learning environment.
• ICH E6(R3) Training Suite 14 training courses updated to align with ICH E6(R3) guidelines including foundational GCP training, gap analysis tools, informed consent courses, ethics training, and protocol development courses.
• ACRP Online Community Digital collaboration platform enabling professional networking, peer discussions, knowledge sharing, and community engagement across the clinical research industry.
• ACRP Chapters Network of 40 local chapters offering regional networking events, professional development activities, continuing education opportunities, and community connections for clinical research professionals in specific geographic areas.

Quantifiable outcome

• Members save $240-$1100 on certification costs during two-year certification cycle
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MerckcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner member of ACRP's Partners Advancing the Clinical Research Workforce initiative, a multi-stakeholder consortium committed to building a diverse, research-ready clinical research workforce.
• GenentechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner member of ACRP's Partners Advancing the Clinical Research Workforce initiative working to build diversity and capacity in the clinical research workforce.
• Advent HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner member of ACRP's Partners Advancing the Clinical Research Workforce initiative, contributing to workforce development initiatives.
• BiogencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner member of ACRP's workforce development consortium helping to build a diverse clinical research workforce.
• Duke UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in ACRP's workforce development initiative, bringing research and educational expertise to help prepare the clinical research workforce.
• Florence HealthcarecoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing site management and research technology solutions. Contributes to ACRP's Partners Advancing the Clinical Research Workforce initiative.
• HCA HealthcarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner member of ACRP's workforce development consortium. HCA Research Institute has utilized ACRP Organization Membership for team training and professional development.
• ParexelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor CRO partner and Industry Alliance Sponsor. Parexel contributes to workforce development through ACRP's consortium and partners on initiatives including Parexel Academy. Jamie Langley serves as Global Head of Parexel Academy.
• Northwell HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare system partner in ACRP's workforce development initiative, working to build research-ready clinical research professionals.
• Veeva SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology and Industry Alliance Sponsor partner providing cloud solutions for the life sciences industry. Contributes to ACRP's workforce development consortium and initiatives.
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegulatory agency collaborator in the Partners Advancing the Clinical Research Workforce initiative. David Burrow, PharmD, JD from FDA speaks on importance of investing in clinical research workforce staff.
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIH awarded ACRP a two-year conference grant through the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) to support strategic initiatives for strengthening and growing the U.S. clinical research professional workforce.
• ARCSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator in ACRP's workforce development initiatives, supporting programs to advance clinical research professionals.
• Clinical Trials Transformation Initiative (CTTI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator in ACRP's workforce development consortium, bringing expertise in clinical trial transformation and efficiency.
• Multi-Regional Clinical Trials Center (MRCT Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator providing resources and expertise in multi-regional clinical trials. Contributes to ACRP's Clinical Research Glossary and competency frameworks.
• EUCROFminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean CRO Federation collaborator supporting ACRP's international workforce development efforts.
• HuroncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry Alliance Sponsor and workforce development partner. Supports ACRP's initiatives to advance the clinical research workforce.
• Peter the Protocol ReaderminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry Alliance Sponsor supporting ACRP's programs and initiatives.
• Joint Task Force for Clinical Trial CompetencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACRP co-developed the Core Competency Framework for Clinical Research Professionals through this international task force, establishing standards for the clinical research workforce.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE): ISPE is a global, member-based association for pharmaceutical engineering and manufacturing professionals with training, conferences, and credentialing. It is comparable as an adjacent professional society running enterprise training and certification, but serves a different life-sciences vertical (manufacturing vs. clinical).
• European CRO Federation (EUCROF): EUCROF is a federation of European CROs that conducts workforce training and advocacy for clinical research professionals across the EU. ACRP lists EUCROF as a partner, but EUCROF functions as a regional comparable on workforce-development content and standards.
• Institute of Clinical Research (ICR, UK): ICR is a UK/European professional body for clinical researchers offering credentials, training, and conferences. It is a regional peer to ACRP operating in the same professional-development niche but primarily in Europe.

Direct peers

• Drug Information Association (DIA): DIA is a global, member-driven life sciences association running a major annual meeting, training, and regulatory intelligence around clinical research, pharmacovigilance, and regulatory affairs. Like ACRP, it sells individual and corporate memberships, professional training, and certifications across the clinical research ecosystem.
• Society for Clinical Research Sites (SCRS): SCRS represents clinical research sites and site networks and offers workforce training, advocacy, and an annual Site Solutions Summit. It is a peer to ACRP on the site side of clinical research professional development and complements (and partially overlaps) ACRP's CRC/CRA audience.
• Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA): SoCRA is the other leading US-based nonprofit certification body for clinical research professionals, offering the CCRP credential plus GCP and continuing education. It directly competes with ACRP for individual memberships, certifications, and chapter engagement.

Broad incumbents

• National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Clinical Research Training: NIH/NCATS runs free clinical research training programs (e.g., Principles of Clinical Pharmacology, Clinical Research Training resources) that set baseline expectations. It is a broad incumbent funder and content provider; ACRP actively partners with NIH/NCATS but competes for learner mind-share.

Emerging players

• Multi-Regional Clinical Trials Center (MRCT Center): MRCT Center is a Harvard-based applied policy and training organization that, like ACRP, contributes to global clinical research competency frameworks, glossary work, and ethics training. It overlaps on thought leadership and regulatory training content, particularly for international trials.
• CITI Program (BRANY): CITI Program is a for-profit provider of online human subjects research, GCP, and IRB training widely adopted by academic medical centers and sponsors. It competes head-to-head with ACRP's GCP Simulation and contact-hour courses, particularly on price and institutional licensing.

Others

• TransCelerate BioPharma Inc. TransCelerate is a pharma industry consortium whose GCP training mutual recognition initiative recognizes ACRP's GCP course as compliant. It is a regulatory and ecosystem influencer rather than a direct training competitor, but its mutual-recognition list shapes which training providers survive at sponsor accounts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ACRPDC
• Instagraminstagram.com/acrpdc
• Facebookfacebook.com/ACRPDC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/association-of-clinical-research

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Association of Clinical Research Professionals