Certified Research Administrator Practice Exam

What is the correct order for the regulatory process, starting with the highest level of control?

1. Laws, Program Regulations, Administrative Requirements, Special Terms and Conditions

2. Laws, Program Regulations, Special Terms and Conditions, Administrative Requirements

3. Program Regulations, Laws, Administrative Requirements, Special Terms and Conditions

The correct answer is: Laws, Program Regulations, Administrative Requirements, Special Terms and Conditions

The correct order for the regulatory process, starting with the highest level of control, reflects the hierarchical structure of regulatory authority in research administration. Beginning with laws, these are established by legislative bodies and provide the foundational legal framework that governs various activities, including research. Next are program regulations, which translate the laws into specific requirements for federal or state programs, detailing how the laws are to be implemented. Following program regulations are administrative requirements, which are procedural guidelines that organizations must adhere to in order to comply with the overarching laws and regulations. Finally, special terms and conditions are typically applied to specific funding awards or grants and may include additional requirements tailored to those scenarios. This hierarchy indicates that laws hold the greatest authority, providing the framework within which all other levels must operate, while special terms and conditions are often more specific and tailored, serving as the most localized set of rules based on the overarching program regulations and administrative requirements. This structure ensures that research administrators understand the appropriate level of authority and compliance required at each stage of the process.