Human Subject Regulations Decision Charts: Pre-2018 Requirements

February 16, 2016

The Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) provides the following graphic aids as a guide for institutional review boards (IRBs), investigators, and others who decide if an activity is research involving human subjects that must be reviewed by an IRB under the requirements of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulations at 45 CFR part 46. OHRP welcomes comment on these decision charts. The charts address decisions on the following:

  • whether an activity is research that must be reviewed by an IRB
  • whether the review may be performed by expedited procedures, and
  • whether informed consent or its documentation may be waived.

Considerations

The charts are intended to assist IRBs, institutions, and investigators in their decision-making process and should not be used as substitutes for consulting the regulations. OHRP cautions that the full text of applicable regulatory provisions should be considered in making final decisions.

These charts are necessarily generalizations and may not be specific enough for particular situations. Other guidance documents are available related to specific topics, at OHRP Policy Guidance by Topic. OHRP invites inquiries for additional information.

The charts do not address requirements that may be imposed by other organizations, such as the Food and Drug Administration, National Institutes of Health, other sponsors, or state or local governments.

Chart 1: Is an Activity Research Involving Human Subjects?

Chart 2: Is the Human Subjects Research Eligible for Exemption?

Chart 3: Does Exemption 45 CFR 46.101(b)(1) (for Educational Settings) Apply?

Chart 4: Does exemption 45 CFR 46.101(b)(2) or (b)(3) (for Tests, Surveys, Interviews, Public Behavior Observation) Apply?

Chart 5: Does Exemption 45 CFR 46.101(b)(4) (for Existing Data, Documents, Records and Specimens) Apply?

Chart 6: Does Exemption 45 CFR 46.101(b)(5) (for Public Benefit or Service Programs) Apply?

Chart 7: Does Exemption 45 CFR 46.101(b)(6) (for Food Taste and Acceptance Studies) Apply?

Chart 8: May the IRB Review Be Done by Expedited Procedures?

Chart 9: May the IRB Continuing Review Be Done by Expedited Procedures?

Chart 10: May Informed Consent Be Waived or Consent Elements Be Altered under 45 CFR 46.116(d)?

Chart 11: May Documentation of Informed Consent Be Waived Under 45 CFR 46.117(c)?


Download Decision Charts in PDF format

Chart 1: Is an Activity Research Involving Human Subjects?

View text version of Chart 1

Chart 1: Is an Activity Research Involving Human Subjects?1_A

Chart 2: Is the Human Subjects Research Eligible for Exemption?

View text version of Chart 2

Chart 2: Is the Human Subjects Research Eligible for Exemption?2_G2_F2_E2_A2_B2_C2_D

Chart 3: Does Exemption 45 CFR 46.101(b)(1) (for Educational Settings) Apply?

View text version of Chart 3

Chart 3: Does Exemption 45 CFR 46.101(b)(1) (for Educational Settings) Apply?3_A3_B

Chart 4: Does exemption 45 CFR 46.101(b)(2) or (b)(3) (for Tests, Surveys, Interviews, Public Behavior Observation) Apply?

View text version of Chart 4

Chart 4: Does exemption 45 CFR 46.101(b)(2) or (b)(3) (for Tests, Surveys, Interviews, Public Behavior Observation) Apply?4_A4_B

Chart 5: Does Exemption 45 CFR 46.101(b)(4) (for Existing Data, Documents, Records and Specimens) Apply?

View text version of Chart 5

Chart 5:5_A5_E5_D5_A

Chart 6: Does Exemption 45 CFR 46.101(b)(5) (for Public Benefit or Service Programs) Apply?

View text version of Chart 6

Chart 6: Does Exemption 45 CFR 46.101(b)(5) (for Public Benefit or Service Programs) Apply?6_A6_B

Chart 7: Does Exemption 45 CFR 46.101(b)(6) (for Food Taste and Acceptance Studies) Apply?

View text version of Chart 7

Chart 7: Does Exemption 45 CFR 46.101(b)(6) (for Food Taste and Acceptance Studies) Apply?7_A7_B

Chart 8: May the IRB Review Be Done by Expedited Procedures?

View text version of Chart 8

Chart 8:8_A8_A8_A8_A

Chart 9: May the IRB Continuing Review Be Done by Expedited Procedures?

View text version of Chart 9

Chart 9: May the IRB Continuing Review Be Done by Expedited Procedures?9_D9_C9_B9_E9_G9_F9_A

Chart 10: May Informed Consent Be Waived or Consent Elements Be Altered under 45 CFR 46.116(d)?

View text version of Chart 10

Chart 1010_A10_A10_A

Chart 11: May Documentation of Informed Consent Be Waived Under 45 CFR 46.117(c)?

View text version of Chart 11

Chart 11: May Documentation of Informed Consent Be Waived Under 45 CFR 46.117(c)?11_A

Content created by Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP)
Content last reviewed