Certification
Two certifications, one path
Researchers begin at Level I and continue to Level II. Examination content is drawn from the open curriculum, which anyone can read without an account. A certification for suppliers and sellers is not offered at this time.
RUO-L1
RUO Certification Level I
The foundation of responsible independent research.
You do not need a PhD to begin learning how to conduct responsible research. You do need to understand the fundamentals, the risks, and the rules.
- Who it is for
- People with little or no formal research background who want to begin conducting independent research responsibly.
- Curriculum
- 8 modules, 8 lessons, about 1 hours
- Version
- 1.0, effective August 2026
- Renewal
- 36 months
RUO-L2
RUO Certification Level II
Advanced independent research principles.
Learn how to design, evaluate and document research, not simply handle research materials.
- Who it is for
- People who have completed Level I or already possess equivalent foundational knowledge.
- Curriculum
- 7 modules, 22 lessons, about 5 hours
- Version
- 1.0, effective August 2026
- Renewal
- 24 months
Scope of every credential
RUO Foundation certification demonstrates completion of an independent education and research-literacy standard.
Certification does not establish
- Medical licensure
- FDA authorization
- Authorization to prescribe
- Authorization to dispense
- Authorization for human administration
- Authorization for an otherwise regulated clinical investigation
- Government approval
- A determination that a specific activity is legal
- Immunity from regulatory enforcement
Researcher status does not determine which laws apply. The research itself does. For the regulations behind these statements, see the Regulatory Library.