Anute, if you curently work at a university, I would suggest the following: contact professors at the Department of medicine, health professions, Psychology/Neuroscience & Nursing to see if they have any research going on for which they need research assistants. You have better odds since you already work there.About training, I would recommend you volunteer a lot. You need practical experience. Just helping out in a clincial study for 1 month goes a long way. Check if your university has a centre for clinical research - they would have training programs each month on different aspects of clinical research b/c the professionals need to stay up to speed too. The programs are free, though registration is generally required since seats are limited.You only become a certified CRA after 2 yrs work experience. At this point, mentioning "CCRP or CCRA" on your resume will set you apart. Otherwise, you basically begin at an entry level position and work your way up.Lastly, be proactive! Tell everyone you know that you are looking for work in this field. Search job banks, use google, set up career alerts, send out resumes even when not sollicited. Make sure you target your search and apply for positions for which you qualify.

Why would y'all mention these concerns on an obscure blog?  Why not with BBB or a state or fed attorny general? I checked Kriger out with Better Business Bureau and found no unresolved problems.  And the 3 resolved problems were all billing not content or ethics.  I'm not defending Kriger aka EspoirBridge aka IBPA aka Clinqua aka whatever (although the training they give is true if out-of-date) but if you have proof (I don't) then take it to the authorities so that fplks like me don't fall for this.
By the way "Someone with a brain", you DO have to pay for a job - college or training (like KRC offers).

hey you guys,
there is a supposed company in san diego called clinqua clinical trials. when you call, the "manager" tells you that he has positions for those signed up for the certificate. however, i called BBB and this "huge" company is not listed, neither is kriger or espoirbridge. Also, i knew it was fishy because i called up random pharm companies and none of them recognize this certificate. i really dont know what to do myself, because 1500 is alot for someone who does not work.

SUSAN, what can we do to get our money back? did u pay through credit card?

This certificate is not essential to have a CRA job. Big compagnies will offer this kind of traning. I never had this certificate and I am in the interview process to apply for a job. They never asked me if I have the certificate.
Cereprotec, Pharmalef, espoirbridge and Kriger are pushing to let us take the certificate. What a shame. When you call pharmalef it's a general answering machine (Tel/fax). I sent a big E-mail to Espoirbridge to let them answering about all this Sh... but I never received any.
I asked to stop sending their reference code because I don't need it. But with their electronic system, they can't stop. I don't know if their is humans behind this company. Strange .....

today I had an interview and I don't think they will call me again. why? because  they were not impressed by the paper from Kriger, they asked me specifically if I REALLY HAD CONTACT WITH PATIENTS. and it is not the  first time I hear this question