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      HHS is a U.S. executive department that touches the lives of nearly all Americans by protecting your rights, research, food safety, health care, aging, and much more.

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Breadcrumb
  1. HHS
  2. OHRP
  3. Register IRBs & Obtain FWAs
  4. IRB Registration
  • IRB Registration
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  • FWAs
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  • FWA Archived Materials

IRB Registration

Each institutional review board (IRB) that reviews research involving human subjects conducted or supported by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must be registered with the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP).

Institutions or organizations (IORGs) can register one or more IRB(s) that the IORG operates. An initial IRB registration registers both the IORG (i.e., institution/organization information) and its IRB(s) (i.e., committee or panel information). All electronic updates renew the registration of the IORG and its IRB(s).

Please note: The fact that an IRB is registered with OHRP does not mean that OHRP has determined that the IRB reviews research in accordance with the requirements of the HHS regulations for the protection of human subjects at 45 CFR part 46, and does not mean that the IRB has the appropriate competence or expertise to review a particular research project. It means that the IRB-operating institution or organization has provided all the required elements of the IRB registration application to OHRP.

The public Search database (https://ohrp.cit.nih.gov/search/search.aspx?styp=bsc) of registered IORGs and IRBs includes information on IRBs that are registered with OHRP only, both OHRP and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and FDA only.

IRB Organizations

Get information about IORGs that operate IRBs (each IORG can register one or more IRBs)

Initial IRB Registration

Learn how to register an IRB with OHRP online

Update/Renew IRB Registration

Update an IRB registration within 90 days after a change in contact person or chairperson, and renew IRB registration every 3 years

IRB Registration Process Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Access FAQs about the IRB registration process

Content last reviewed March 12, 2026
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