CDC’s Institutional Review Boards

CDC has two Institutional Review Boards (IRBs):

• One Atlanta Based IRB – This IRB convenes monthly on the third Thursdays of each month. Some adjustments may be made for federal holidays. The CDC IRB may convene on a ad hoc basis for urgent reviews. This IRB reviews protocols from all CDC Centers, Institutes, and Offices (with exception of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health). This IRB is not dedicated to review human research or clinical investigations for a particular CDC unit.
• The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s IRB, reviews human research conducted or supported by the Institute. This board meets on the second Tuesday of each month and as needed for emergency situations.

CDC IRBs are properly constituted in accordance with 45 CFR part 46 and 21 CFR part 56 as required.

IRB members serve for two years but may serve longer at the discretion of the CDC Human Research Protection Office, the IRB chair, and the member. Service on an IRB is considered vital to the continuing research efforts of the agency and volunteers are always welcome.

The IRB chairs and vice-chairs collectively form the IRB Executive Committee. This committee meets as needed to discuss matters of common interest to the IRBs, to refine policy and practice, and to strive for reasonable consistency across the IRBs.