{"id":42423,"date":"2022-04-28T09:06:53","date_gmt":"2022-04-28T16:06:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.washington.edu\/research\/?page_id=42423"},"modified":"2026-02-04T10:57:49","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T18:57:49","slug":"exempt","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.washington.edu\/research\/hsd\/guidance\/exempt\/","title":{"rendered":"Exempt Research"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/a><\/p>\n Research that is determined to be exempt<\/em> is human subjects research that fits into specific categories and does not have to meet most of the requirements of the federal human subjects regulations. Only the UW Human Subjects Division (HSD) can make exempt determinations for UW research. Researchers conducting exempt research should review this guidance in addition to the following resources:<\/p>\n This webpage provides researchers, the Human Subjects Division (HSD), and the UW Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) with an overview of the requirements and best practices for conducting and overseeing research that is deemed to be \u201cexempt\u201d.<\/p>\n It is human subjects research.<\/strong> Research that is determined to be exempt<\/em> is still considered to be human subject research. However, it is exempt from meeting the requirements of the applicable federal human subjects regulations except for:<\/p>\n Other policies and regulations still apply to the research.<\/strong> This includes:<\/p>\n Exempt status lasts until the research is complete.<\/strong> Exempt status does not have an expiration date and does not require continuing review. Note, however that modifications to the research may affect exempt status. Review the section on modifications<\/a>, below. Once the review is complete, a determination letter is available in Zipline<\/em>.<\/p>\n The purpose is to reduce administrative and regulatory burden<\/strong> on researchers and IRB offices by acknowledging that some types of research do not need the protective measures required by human subjects regulations because the research:<\/p>\n HSD staff are the only UW individuals authorized to make exempt determinations. Most HSD staff are also IRB members. When limited IRB review is required for an exempt determination, an HSD staff person who is a designated IRB reviewer does the limited IRB review and exempt determination simultaneously.<\/p>\n HSD staff determine whether every initial application qualifies for exempt status as part of the standard pre-review process (SOP Pre-Review<\/a>). In addition, researchers may specifically submit an application in Zipline<\/a> requesting exempt status, by following the appropriate instructions at the top of the IRB Protocol<\/a> form and on this webpage<\/a>. Researchers are required to obtain an exempt determination before beginning their research.<\/p>\n The research is more than minimal risk<\/a><\/strong>. If the research involves more than minimal risk to subjects, it is not exempt, with the exception of exempt category 5, which can involve greater than minimal risk. This HSD policy<\/strong> is based on statements in the Preamble to the Revised Common Rule and numerous public communications by the federal Office of Human Research Protections (OHRP).<\/p>\n The research is FDA-regulated.<\/strong> Per HSD policy<\/strong>, exempt status is not granted to research that is subject to the regulations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Review the worksheet, Human Subjects Research Determination<\/a> to determine whether the activity is human subjects research as defined and regulated by the FDA.<\/p>\n School of Medicine research involving AI.<\/strong> Per HSD Policy<\/strong> exempt status is not granted to human subjects research involving the use of Artificial Intelligence Systems (AI)<\/a> when:<\/p>\n Subjects include prisoner populations.<\/strong> Exceptions include research that: (1)<\/strong> qualifies for exempt category 4; or (2)<\/strong> is not regulated by the Common Rule or the federal Department of Justice and is not subject to state Department of Corrections requirements for IRB review.<\/p>\n
Print<\/a><\/p>\nQUICK GUIDE<\/h2>\n
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GUIDANCE Contents<\/h3>\n
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Purpose and Applicability<\/h2>\n
Context – Meaning of Exempt Status<\/h2>\n
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Procedures – Determination of Exempt Status<\/h2>\n
Who makes exempt determinations?<\/h3>\n
The exempt determination process.<\/h3>\n
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General exclusions from exemption.<\/h3>\n
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