Initial Steps for Submitting a Protocol through WIRB

1. Establish a Client LogIn on the WIRB website
2. Complete Human Subject Protection Training
3. Determine Type of Review Required
4. Complete the Appropriate Online Form
5. After WIRB Approval

1. Establish a Client LogIn on the WIRB website

Hastings has a contract in place with WIRB, and therefore you do not have to establish a new contract or “sign up.” Keep in mind that individual Hastings researchers will pay for their own IRB review. 

Thus, you may go directly to the WIRB website and begin the review process.  WIRB submissions are done entirely online, though staff are available to answer questions and are generally immediately accessible.  Website and contact information:

3535 SEVENTH AVE SW • OLYMPIA, WA 98502-5010
P.O. BOX 12029 • OLYMPIA, WA 98508-2029
(360) 252-2500 • 1-800-562-4789 • FAX (360) 252-2498
www.wirb.com • clientservices@wirb.com

2. Complete Human Subjects Training

All key personnel must complete training in human research subject protection.  WIRB requires evidence of training before consideration of any research protocols.  Please note that HIPAA training, prior research experience, or teaching in the area of human subjects protection does not waive this requirement.   Training is also generally recommended to help researchers understand and navigate the review process, including Step 3.

Free training is provided online through NIH.

Researchers should expect to spend no more than 3 hours on training.  Researchers must pass a brief quiz in order to obtain certification that training was completed.  Submit this certification to WIRB.

3. Determine Type of Review Required

The next step is to identify the level of review required so you can submit the appropriate form. WIRB only has two levels of review: Exempt or Full Committee.   Researchers are strongly encouraged to contact WIRB to determine the appropriate type of review before submitting any documents.

Full Committee Review is generally required on all protocols submitted to WIRB unless the protocol meets an exemption to review. 

Researchers have found WIRB's Request for Exemption Determination form to be an informative tool.

Exempt Certification may be allowed if the research fits into one of four federally defined categories. For example, these categories include research conducted in established or commonly accepted educational settings, and the collection or study of existing data, documents, records, pathological specimens, or diagnostic specimens, if these sources are publicly available or if the information is recorded by the investigator in such a manner that subjects cannot be identified, directly or through identifiers linked to the subjects. 

4. Complete the Appropriate Online Form

All forms are available on the WIRB website, and can be completed and submitted online.

Full Committee Review: The form for most submissions will be called the “Initial Review Submission Form”.  If you have multiple research sites or a commercial sponsor, a different form may be used.  Please refer to the WIRB website to determine which is appropriate, and consult with their staff if you are unsure.

Exempt Certification: If you think your research is exempt from IRB review, you may still want to receive an official certification from WIRB.  The form for this is called the “Request for Exemption Determination.”  

5.  After WIRB Approval

Once a complete form is submitted, WIRB takes approximately 12 business days to respond.  They may approve the protocol, approve the protocol with modifications, or disapprove the protocol.  Depending on the WIRB response, there may be follow up work required.

Once approval is secured, please provide a copy of the final documents to UC Hastings General Counsel’s Office:

Elise K. Traynum, General Counsel
Phone: 415.565.4787
Email: traynume@uchastings.edu