Texas A&M Sponsored Research Services has compiled resources to assist those in preparing for the Certified Pre-Award Certified Research Administrator (CPRA) Exam. This exam is offered by the Research Administrators’ Certification Council. Go to the RACC website for an INTRODUCTION to earn the designation of CPRA.
The RACC Candidate Handbook (CPRA) provides the instructions and information to sit for the exam. Review the handbook for the eligibility requirements. The exam is computer-based and is composed of 200 multiple choice questions of which 175 count toward a candidate’s score and 25 are pilot questions.
Resources for preparing for the Certified Pre-Award Certified Research Administrator (CPRA) Exam resources are free to view and use on demand.
Study Guides and Handouts
- Acronyms and Definitions (10-2024)
- CPRA Body of Knowledge (2022)
- CPRA DHHS/NIH Study Guide
- CPRA NSF Study Guide
- CPRA Study Guide (10-2025)
- Consolidated Budgeting Basics and Calculation Methods
- NIHGPS Glossary
- RACC-CPRA Handbook
- Research Administration Regulations
| SESSION | RECORDING | RESOURCE | 
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to the CPRA | Video | Slides | 
| Proposal Development | Video | Slides | 
| Animal Welfare Rules and Regulations | Video | Slides | 
| Biohazards in Research | Video | Slides | 
| Contracting and Federal Acquisition Regulations | Video | Slides | 
| Cost Principles and Budgeting | Video | Slides | 
| Export Controls COI RCR | Video | Slides | 
| Federal Compliance Regulations | Video | Slides | 
| Human Subjects Research | Video | Slides | 
| Intellectual Property | Video | Slides | 
| NIH | Video | Slides | 
| NSF | Video | Slides | 
| Research Administration Basics | Video | Slides | 
Disclaimer Note: CPRA, Certified Pre-award Research Administrator certification is copyrighted by the Research Administrators Certification Council (RACC). These materials are intended to provide resources for those preparing to take the CPRA exam and for those just wanting to learn more about research administration. These materials are not endorsed by RACC. There is no guarantee that using these materials will help you pass the exam. These materials do not contain any inside information on the content of the exam beyond what is available on the RACC website.