What is a CRA?
A Clinical Research Associate (CRA) is a professional responsible for overseeing and monitoring clinical trials — the studies that test new drugs, medical devices, or therapies to ensure they are safe and effective for patients. CRAs work on behalf of a sponsor (such as a pharmaceutical company, biotechnology firm, or medical device manufacturer) to make sure the trial is running according to the approved protocol, regulatory requirements, and ethical standards.
What is a Clinical Trial?
Clinical trials are research studies conducted in humans to evaluate biomedical or behavioral interventions. These prospective studies are designed to answer specific questions about the safety, effectiveness, or impact of new treatments, drugs, medical devices, or behavioral approaches. Clinical trials help determine whether these interventions should be studied further or compared to existing standards of care.
What They Do All Day?
Clinical Research Associates (CRAs) monitor clinical trials to ensure they’re conducted safely, ethically, and in compliance with regulations. They visit research sites, review study data for accuracy, oversee patient safety, and act as the link between sponsors and site teams to keep trials running smoothly.
What Makes it Great?
Since there are so many different types of clinical trials, the work environment can be dynamic with tasks varying from day to day. CRAs can specialize in a particular subject area, or go for a broad base of knowledge and hop from topic to topic. And growth potential is strong: As personalized medicine becomes more common, clinical trials will increasingly be needed to make sure drugs and devices work properly.
Who Can Become a CRA
You don’t need a science background to break into clinical research.
A bachelor’s degree in any field is the minimum requirement — we’ll give you the industry knowledge and tools employers look for.
Why Choose a Career as a CRA
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High Demand & Competitive Pay: CRAs are among the most sought-after professionals in clinical research, with salaries averaging $100K–$130K+ in the U.S.
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Career Growth: Move into leadership roles such as Senior CRA or Clinical Trial Manager.
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Global Impact: Play a direct role in bringing life-changing treatments to patients worldwide.
AM I QUALIFIED?
Yes- If you have a bachelor’s degree in any field, you can train to become a Clinical Research Associate (CRA).
While many CRAs come from science, healthcare, or technical backgrounds, it’s not a strict requirement. Our program is designed to teach you the clinical research knowledge and practical skills employers look for, even if your degree is in a different field.
You may be a great fit if you:
✔️ Hold at least a bachelor’s degree (any major is acceptable — science is helpful but not required).
✔️ Have strong attention to detail and enjoy working with data or documentation.
✔️ Are organized, professional, and able to communicate well with teams.
✔️ Want a remote-friendly career with high growth potential and competitive pay.
✔️ Are ready to commit to learning and transitioning into an in-demand industry.
No prior clinical research experience is required.
We’ll teach you everything you need to know — from Good Clinical Practice (GCP) to site monitoring and regulatory compliance — and help you confidently apply for your first CRA role.
💡 Tip: Having previous healthcare, science, or research experience can be a plus, but it’s not mandatory. Our program is built to bridge the gap for newcomers to the industry.
Incredible Career Growth
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High Earning Potential: CRAs in the U.S. earn an average of $80K–$100K+ annually, with opportunities to grow into six-figure roles as you advance.
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Clear Career Path: Start as a CRA, then move up to Senior CRA, Lead CRA, Clinical Trial Manager (CTM), and beyond.
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Global Opportunities: Clinical research is a worldwide industry, giving you the chance to work with international teams and cutting-edge medical innovations.
Why Choose Med-Fi Pharmacademy
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Taught by tenured CRAs with top U.S. sponsor & CRO experience.
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Real-world case studies and practical skills employers want.
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One-on-one career support: résumé review, mock interviews, job search strategy.
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Success stories & alumni network — proven track record of helping students land CRA roles.
CRA Essential Duties
Flexibility & Lifestyle
As defined by the Academy, and determined through ACRP’s 2015 Job Analysis Survey, clinical research associates who are eligible for CRA Certification must document cumulative performance of each of the following essential duties during the dates of employment listed on the application:
Verify that the research site investigator(s) and study personnel are conducting the study according to the clinical protocol, “Good Clinical Practices”, and regulatory requirements to ensure protection and ethical treatment of human subjects;
Ensure identification and reporting of safety issues, when applicable, from research site staff to the sponsor and the IRB/IEC;
Perform monitoring activities per the monitoring plan (e.g. verification of source documents and eCRF/CRFs, site communications, follow up on data anomalies, etc.)
Review accuracy and completeness of site records (i.e., essential documents, query resolution, and other data collection tools);
Ensure accountability of Investigational Product and related supplies are performed, when appropriate;
Ensure complete reporting and proper documentation of monitoring activities
Conduct routine monitoring visits (on site or remotely) independently from the investigative site study staff;
Ensure the site is identifying issues and implementing corrective and preventive actions to ensure inspection readiness.
The above essential duties must have been performed for a cumulative 3,000 – 6,000 hours, depending on the applicant’s education background, as shown here.
Many CRA roles offer remote work combined with site visits — giving you professional freedom and travel opportunities.
Work with a variety of sponsors, CROs, and trial sites, keeping your day-to-day dynamic and exciting.
