Can a PI delegate responsibility?

Can a PI delegate responsibility?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Only to CRC
• D. Only to sub-investigators

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is that the PI bears the ultimate responsibility for every aspect of the trial at the site. While you can assign or delegate specific tasks to qualified team members (like a CRC or sub-investigators) and have them carry out procedures under the PI’s supervision, the PI cannot hand over responsibility itself. The PI remains accountable for protocol compliance, participant safety and rights, data integrity, and regulatory obligations, and must oversee that all delegated tasks are performed correctly and safely. So, delegation is about tasks, not about transferring ultimate responsibility.

The main idea here is that the PI bears the ultimate responsibility for every aspect of the trial at the site. While you can assign or delegate specific tasks to qualified team members (like a CRC or sub-investigators) and have them carry out procedures under the PI’s supervision, the PI cannot hand over responsibility itself. The PI remains accountable for protocol compliance, participant safety and rights, data integrity, and regulatory obligations, and must oversee that all delegated tasks are performed correctly and safely. So, delegation is about tasks, not about transferring ultimate responsibility.