How many members are required to form an IRB?

An Institutional Review Board (IRB) is required to have a minimum of five members. This composition ensures that the board can effectively review various research proposals, including those that might involve different risks to participants. The presence of diverse expertise among the members can be crucial in evaluating the scientific merit, ethical considerations, and potential risks involved in research studies.

A five-member IRB typically includes individuals with varying backgrounds, such as scientific and nonscientific perspectives, as well as individuals who have no affiliation with the institution. This diversity helps in providing a comprehensive review of research protocols, representing the interests of potential research subjects effectively.

Having fewer than five members might limit the board's capacity to provide thorough oversight and may not adequately represent a range of viewpoints and expertise necessary for ethical research review. Therefore, the requirement of five members aligns with the principles established to protect human subjects in research, as stipulated in ethical guidelines like the Belmont Report.