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Expedited review in 3-5 business days. Full board in 5-10. Here is the complete IRB approval timeline, what affects it, and how to get approved faster.
With Elemental IRB, expedited review takes 3-5 business days and full board review takes 5-10 business days from the point your submission is confirmed complete. Traditional university and legacy commercial IRBs often take several weeks because they review on fixed monthly meeting schedules.
The level of review (expedited vs. full board), submission completeness, and review cadence all affect timing. Missing documents or a protocol and consent form that disagree are the most common cause of delay, and the clock starts when your package is complete.
Submit a complete, internally consistent package - protocol, matching consent forms, PI CV, study instruments, and recruitment materials - describe risks and consent clearly, and choose an IRB that reviews on a rolling basis. Elemental IRB's rolling expedited review can deliver approval in as few as 3-5 business days.
At Elemental IRB, expedited review takes 3-5 business days and full board review takes 5-10 business days, measured from the point your submission is confirmed complete. Because we review on a rolling basis, there is no wait for a monthly board meeting. Traditional university and legacy commercial IRBs often take several weeks.
Expedited review applies to minimal-risk studies and is completed in 3-5 business days by a designated reviewer. Full board review applies to greater-than-minimal-risk studies, requires review by the convened board, and takes 5-10 business days. Elemental IRB runs the board on a rolling basis to keep full board timelines short.
The review clock starts when your submission is confirmed complete - not when you first upload documents. Incomplete submissions are the most common cause of delay, which is why our intake team performs a completeness check within one business day.
The most common delays come from incomplete submissions, inconsistencies between the protocol and consent forms, missing PI credentials, unclear risk descriptions, and recruitment materials that do not match the protocol. Submitting a complete, internally consistent package is the single best way to get approved quickly.
Submit a complete package, make sure your protocol and consent forms agree, include the PI CV and all instruments, describe risks and the consent process clearly, and choose an IRB that reviews on a rolling basis. Elemental IRB's rolling expedited review delivers approval in as few as 3-5 business days.
IRB approval is typically granted for up to one year, after which continuing review is required to keep the study active. At Elemental IRB, annual continuing review is included in your original review fee.