Qualifications
Additional Requirements:
There may be additional requirements to participate in a clinical research study. These will be outlined when you call to sign up for a study or when you attend the clinic screening.
Geographical Restrictions:
Some clinics require you to live within a certain distance of their clinic. This is usually to ensure that the volunteers will be close enough to get to the clinic and reduce cancellations and no shows. If you are coming from out of town, it is best to ask if they have any restrictions and if an out of state ID will be acceptable.
Identification and Taxes:
All clinics require proper identification and a social security number.
Some clinics will accept an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) for eligible foreign visitors with a valid passport. This policy varies from clinic to clinic so be sure to ask if this will be an issue.
If you derive the majority of your income from research studies, you will be required by the IRS to file a Schedule C for self employment. This is because when you do a study, Social Security and Medicare is not deducted. Filing the Schedule C and Self Employment pays your Social Security and Medicare. Failure to pay your Social Security and Medicare can vastly affect your benefits when you retire (from work, not studies). Consult a tax preparer for details. Every tax situation is different.
Part 1 – General Qualifications
Part 2 – In-Depth Look at Qualifications
Part 3 – Additional Requirements
Next Section: About Clinical Research