Does my institution need to have an IRB in order to participate in SMART IRB?

No. An institution that does not have an IRB may participate in SMART IRB to rely on the IRB of another Participating Institution for review of research in which the first institution is engaged. However, the institution that does not have an IRB may not provide review of research for other Participating Institutions. Note that if your institution normally relies on the IRB of another institution for review, and you (or another institution) wish to use that IRB for the review of research covered under the SMART IRB Agreement, then that institution would also need to join SMART IRB.