Sensor calibration and validation are important factors in understanding how a sensor operates during its mission. They can show that the expected sensor measurement capability can be demonstrated along with 1) derivation of important parameters that will be used by the science team, 2) demonstration that science goals can be met, and 3) establishment of baseline trending to be used to track sensor subsystems. Calibration is an on-going process throughout the mission, but is most critical when the complete system comes together and during its initial stage after reaching orbit. Careful planning and plan execution are required to accurately and efficiently collect data that characterizes the sensor's response, process the data in a timely manner to generate results that are useful to mission science, supply results as inputs for processing algorithms, and have a process for algorithm improvement as additional information about the sensor becomes available. This paper describes the calibration and validation plan for the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) which is part of the NPP mission. The CrIS data sets are divided into 3 parts: raw data records (RDRs), science data records (SDR), and environmental data records (EDRs). This paper focuses on the science data record (SDR) portion of the CrIS calibration. The CrIS sensor went through a thorough ground calibration prior to launch that included multiple thermal vacuum cycles and rigorous testing with well characterized sources. The process will be continued when CrIS reaches orbit with 3 more calibration phases: early-orbit checkout, intensive calibration and validation (ICV), and long term monitoring. The tasks and expected results will be presented. The overall calibration process is briefly summarized and then the plans and current status of results from on-orbit operations of CrIS are presented.