The Institute of Biomedical Science

www.ibmscongress.com

Registration via Certificate of Competence

Generally there are four main routes to Certificate of Competence registration.

1 Integrated (Coterminus) degrees

Integrated or Coterminus degrees consist of a programme of integrated education and training, accredited by the Institute, that lead to completion of the registration portfolio and hence the HPC standards of proficiency during the degree. The Certificate of Competence is simultaneously awarded with the honours degree in biomedical science.

2 Part-time or sandwich programmes accredited biomedical science degrees

These programmes have the potential to be recognised as an integrated route but may lack clear demonstration of how all the HPC standards of proficiency are met, therefore graduation and the award of the Certificate of Competence may be separate even though the portfolios may have been completed and assessed during the placement year. Sections of the portfolio should be signed off by the trainee, training officer and the university course tutor, where appropriate. This training portfolio will be issued on request to students through either the university or training laboratory as appropriate.

3. Those who have completed an accredited biomedical science degree, or supplementary education following acceptance of a non-accredited degree as a preliminary qualification, without any clinical placement.

In this circumstance the training portfolio will be issued to the graduate when employed as a trainee in an approved laboratory.

If the degree course is not an Institute accredited BSc (Hons) graduates will need to submit their non-accredited degree programme for assessment (see below). This can be done by downloading ‘Form B’ and submitting it along with a copy of the degree certificate, the entire course syllabus, degree transcript and the assessment fee. Also required is a copy of a birth certificate or the personal details page of a passport.  If required, official notification of a change of name should be included.

4 International registration

All international biomedical scientists, who have qualified and practised in a laboratory abroad, should apply directly to the Health Professions Council (HPC) for admission to the register via their ‘international route’. However, international applicants for registration who have not worked for enough time as a biomedical scientist may be advised by the HPC to complete the registration portfolio and gain the IBMS Certificate of Competence.

Biomedical scientists with an international degree only but no practical working experience will need to get their degree assessed by the IBMS (see below) unless they have successfully completed an IBMS accredited degree.

Applying for registration

Once both the academic and practical or training parts of the certificate have been completed the IBMS will issue a Certificate of Competence to successful candidates. It will then notify the HPC. The HPC will know that candidates have received a Certificate of Competence but they still need you to complete and send a HPC application form. You can download an application form from the HPC website.

IBMS accredited degree confirmation

Graduates with an Institute accredited BSc (Hons) degree must apply to the Institute for a personal letter of degree verification. This can be done by completing ‘Form A’ and submitting it along with a copy of the degree certificate and a copy of either a birth certificate or the personal details page of a passport.  If required, official notification of a change of name should also be included.

Individuals who have not yet graduated should include a letter from the university confirming their enrolment on an accredited BSc (Hons) undergraduate degree programme.

Successful candidates will receive a letter confirming their achievement and the fact that they can apply to the HPC in accordance with the instructions on its website.