Registration training portfolios

The IBMS registration portfolio provides evidence that an applicant has completed the practical training required for the Certificate of Competence, which is necessary to apply for HCPC registration. The evidence will be assessed by external verifiers to check that training has reached the standards necessary for registration.

To obtain a registration training portfolio, an individual will need to request that their training officer or laboratory manager complete an order form on their behalf. The application must be submitted to the IBMS Registration department with a copy of the letter from the Institute detailing the evaluation outcome of a trainee's qualifications.

The training officer or laboratory manager must ensure that the laboratory where the training will take place is in possession of confirmation of its status as an IBMS approved laboratory before making an application for a portfolio. Further information on training approval status can be found here.

A reference copy of this portfolio is available to download here for use by a training officer or laboratory manager, and a hard copy can be ordered from the registration department using the application form above.

How to complete a portfolio

Information on how to compile, organise and complete the registration is available in the reference copy on the website.

The portfolio is a collaborative process between the trainee and the laboratory training officer whose responsibility it is to ensure that the delivery of training, assessment of competence and verification of knowledge and skill against each individual standard is signed off.

The role of the university tutor in an integrated (coterminus) degree is to sign that the standards have been met through course assignments.

The external portfolio verifier checks that in-house training has been conducted in accordance with good professional practice, and competence against the HCPC standards has been assessed). The external verifier will establish completion of the portfolio as a record of training for 'fitness to practice'.

Portfolio Verification

To obtain a date for portfolio verification, an individual will need to request that their training officer or laboratory manager complete an application form on their behalf. The application must be submitted to the registration department with evidence that HCPC Standard 3a.1 has been met by the candidate.

The application must be made at least two months in advance of the proposed verification window. The Institute of Biomedical Science will determine if Standard 3a.1 has been met and then appoint an external verifier to verify that the portfolio demonstrates that the candidate meets the remaining HCPC Standards of Proficiency.

Success at this stage will result in the award of the Certificate of Competence. If insufficient evidence is submitted, the verifier will identify the shortfall and the portfolio can be resubmitted for verification when complete.

Along with conducting the portfolio verification the external verifier will also make a judgment on the continuing training status of the laboratory where the training took place.

How to arrange external verifier assessment

On completion of the portfolio, an application is made to the Institute's Registration Department to arrange an assessment visit by an external verifier. Complete and return the form available in the registration area of the website.