“Exempt” does not mean that the study is excluded from IRB oversight; it only means that the proposed activities meet lower levels of oversight requirement. Moreover, research activities are exempt from “full-length” regulations for the protection of human research subjects when they are considered minimal risk (the probability or magnitude of harm or discomfort anticipated in the research are not greater in and of themselves than those ordinarily encountered in daily life or during the performance of routine physical or psychological examinations or tests [as defined by 45 CFR 46.102(i)]) and the ONLY involvement of human subjects falls within one or more of the exemption categories<\/a> listed on the checklist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The IRB will not consider any research exempt that involves prisoners, that involves a test article regulated by the FDA, unless the research meets the criteria for exemption described in 45 CFR 46.101(b)(6) and 21 CFR 56.104(d). Additionally, the research must fulfill MTSU’s ethical standards to be considered exempt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First determine if your research qualifies for exemption. This would lead you to a different set of forms. Follow this simple decision chart to decide if you qualify for an exemption:<\/p>\n\n\n\nBefore you fill your application<\/h2>\n\n\n\n