Certificate of Competence
The ‘Certificate of Competence’ is evidence that an individual is “fit to practice” as a biomedical scientist.
It is a professional qualification and the base of the Institute’s examination structure. It can be used to support an application into membership with the Institute in the class of Licentiate, but it is not the only method for becoming a member of IBMS. Further information on IBMS membership can be found on this webpage.
It can also be used to support an application for registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC). Further information on the routes to registration with the HPC can be found on this webpage.
The ‘Certificate of Competence’ is only awarded by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). It contains academic and practical components that can be undertaken separately or integrated (coterminus). Both components must be completed to the satisfaction of the Institute before the award is granted.
A graduate should determine their eligibility for the ‘Certificate of Competence’ by reading the information below. The first step is to submit an application to have your educational qualifications evaluated by the Institute.
Academic Component
The academic component requires an undergraduate qualification that is accredited by the Institute (or its equivalent). It may be necessary for you to complete supplementary education at the undergraduate level to meet the academic component.
All graduates (excluding coterminus) must have their qualifications evaluated by the Institute to determine if supplementary education will be required. Further information on the evaluation process can be found on this webpage.
Please note that there are no Masters level qualifications (excluding coterminus routes) that are accredited by the Institute for the purpose of gaining the ‘Certificate of Competence’.
Practical Component
The practical component requires the ‘Registration Training Portfolio for the Certificate of Competence’ to be undertaken and completion verified by the Institute. Further information on the registration training portfolio can be found on this webpage.
The Institute does not evaluate prior laboratory experience. If you have worked as a biomedical scientist outside the UK, please contact the Health Professions Council directly and enquire about registration via their ‘international route’. Further information for international registrants can be found on the HPC website.
Integrated (coterminus)
A coterminus qualification integrates the academic and practical components. At the point of graduation a degree and ‘Certificate of Competence’ can be simultaneously awarded.
The IBMS accredits the course, but the coterminus qualification is delivered by a university. Further information on coterminus qualifications can be found on this webpage.
Further information
Routes to Registration
Evaluation of Qualifications
Registration Training Portfolio
HPC: www.hpc-uk.org
Careers: Science in the Service of Life: A Career in Biomedical Science