Advanced Specialist Diplomas

The IBMS Advanced Specialist Diploma (ASD) in Diagnostic Cytopathology consists of three assessments:

• Portfolio assessment
• Written examination
• Practical microscopy examination

Portfolio of Evidence

Your portfolio serves as a record of training and must include regular assessments of your competence in reporting diagnostic cytopathology specimens. These assessments should be conducted by your named consultant pathologist supervisor.

Portfolio Requirements

• Full details on the required portfolio content are outlined in the Guidance document.
• Once your supervisor confirms your training is complete, you may submit your portfolio and proceed to the written and practical examinations.

Important Note:
The current guidance document still uses the old title of this qualification: ASD in Non-Gynaecological Cytology. This will be updated soon to reflect the revised title.

Portfolio Submission

Candidates must submit their portfolio electronically. Hard copies will not be accepted.

Portfolios can be submitted via:

• Email (as attachments or a shared folder link) to [email protected]
• Cloud-based file-sharing services, such as OneDrive, WeTransfer, or Google Drive
  • Ensure that no account setup is required for access.
  • If a password is needed, send it along with the shared folder link.
• USB stick, sent to IBMS, Head of Examinations, 12 Coldbath Square, London, EC1R 5HL

Portfolio Assessment

To pass the portfolio assessment you are required to meet 28 standards before you can progress to the written and practical exams.

Your portfolio will be independently assessed by two members of the Conjoint Examination Board.

For any deferrals, withdrawals, or mitigating circumstances, contact [email protected].

Written Examination

• Candidates must answer four out of six short-answer questions.
• Duration: 90 minutes.
• The exam will include case-based scenarios.

Practical Microscopy Examination

Short Cases

• Candidates will review 12 cases in 72 minutes.
• A diagnosis must be provided along with any confirmatory ancillary tests where applicable.

Long Cases

• Candidates will review 6 cases in 120 minutes.

📅 Key dates – 2025 Exam Series

• Closing date for applications: Friday 31 January 2025
• Portfolio submission deadline: Friday 28 February 2025
• Shadow reporting deadline (for re-sit candidates): Friday 28 February 2025
• Written examination (sat in your local hospital): Tuesday 6 May 2025
• Microscopy examinations: Between Wednesday 9 and Friday 11 July 2025 at NEPSEC in Wakefield
  • The exact date will depend on the number of candidates who pass or have ‘banked’ the written exam.

Did you know?

The IBMS Advanced Specialist Diploma Prize is awarded annually to the candidate who achieves the highest marks in their Advanced Specialist Diploma (ASD) examinations.

This prestigious award recognises excellence and outstanding performance in IBMS qualifications.

Prize

• A £250 cheque
• A certificate

To be eligible, candidates must be sitting the examinations for the first time.

All prizes are presented at the IBMS Annual General Meeting (AGM).

 

To apply for the IBMS Advanced Specialist Diploma (ASD) in Diagnostic Cytopathology, applicants must:

• Be a Member or Fellow of the IBMS
• Be HCPC registered
• Hold an IBMS Diploma in Expert Practice in Diagnostic Cytopathology and/or the Diploma of Interpretative and Diagnostic Cytology

Additionally, applicants must have:

• At least seven years post-registration experience in non-gynaecological cytology
• At least four years of experience in pre-reporting for consultant pathologists and reporting negative samples
• More than three years of senior-level involvement in preparation, quality management, EQA, and IQC of relevant non-gynaecological cytology specimens
• A single named consultant pathologist trainer responsible for mentoring, guidance, and progress monitoring
• Training conducted in a UKAS-accredited laboratory
• Training conducted in a laboratory with IBMS post-registration training approval

Important Update:
Previously, the eligibility criteria stated that candidates must be a Fellow of the IBMS to apply. However, Members of the IBMS who have successfully completed the IBMS Diploma in Expert Practice in Diagnostic Cytopathology are now eligible to apply if they meet all other stated criteria.

Fees and application process

To apply for the qualification in the year you plan to submit your portfolio for assessment, you must submit the following to [email protected]:

• Payment of £501
• A completed application form

Payment options

Fees can be paid via:

• Credit or debit card – Call +44 (0)207 731 0214
• Purchase order – Issued by your hospital trust

Once your application is accepted, you will receive confirmation of your candidacy and a reminder of the portfolio submission deadline.

Please note: If you withdraw from the qualification at any point, a £50 administrative fee will be applied to any refund.

Assessment

The qualification consists of three stages (A, B, and C) and a Stage D preceptorship upon successful completion.

Portfolio Submission: A record of training, case logs, work-based assessments, and other required documentation.

Portfolio structure suggestions

1. Case Log and Summary (including error log)
2. Case Reviews
3. Multi-Source Feedback
4. Work-Based Assessments (DOPs, ECEs, CBDs)
5. Supervisor and Progress Reports
6. Case Study & Audit
7. MDT Attendance Evidence
8. Training Sessions & Tutorials

✔ Portfolio Submission Deadlines: 3 January, 18 April, 18 July, 19 September

Portfolio Submission

Candidates must submit their portfolio electronically. Hard copies will not be accepted.

Portfolios can be submitted via:

• Email (as attachments or a shared folder link) to [email protected]
• Cloud-based file-sharing services, such as OneDrive, WeTransfer, or Google Drive
  • Ensure that no account setup is required for access.
  • If a password is needed, send it along with the shared folder link.
• USB stick, sent to IBMS, Head of Examinations, 12 Coldbath Square, London, EC1R 5HL

For any deferrals, withdrawals, or mitigating circumstances, contact [email protected].

Training Grant

• £3,000 training grant for each stage (A, B, and C) of full reporting qualifications
• £3,000 training grant for candidates undertaking limited scope reporting qualifications
• Further details on the claiming process can be found in the Training Grant for Employers Guidance.

2025 Exam Series

• Stage A Exam (Fully and Limited Scope)

  • Date: Wednesday 1 October (Keele Hall, Keele University)
  • Fee: £281

• Stage C Exam

  • Dates: Thursday 16 October & Friday 17 October (Shrewsbury)
  • Fee: £728

• Exam Application Window: Monday 7 July – 18 July

Did you know?

The IBMS Advanced Specialist Diploma Prize is awarded annually to the candidate who achieves the highest marks in their Advanced Specialist Diploma (ASD) examinations.

This prestigious award recognises excellence and outstanding performance in IBMS qualifications.

Prize

• A £250 cheque
• A certificate

To be eligible, candidates must be sitting the examinations for the first time.

All prizes are presented at the IBMS Annual General Meeting (AGM).

 

To apply for the IBMS Advanced Specialist Diploma (ASD) in Histopathology Reporting, applicants must:

• Be a Member or Fellow of the IBMS
• Be HCPC registered as a biomedical or clinical scientist

Additionally, applicants must:

• Have at least five years of post-registration experience
• Work in a UKAS-accredited laboratory
• Have departmental support with a view to becoming a Histopathology Reporting Team member
• Have a commitment from their trust to provide both an Educational Supervisor and Clinical Supervisor

Recommendation
It is strongly recommended that applicants have completed the IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice in Histological Dissection in the relevant pathology before undertaking the ASD.

Applying

Applications can be submitted at any time (rather than in a fixed application window). Interested candidates should:

1. Complete the Application Form
2. Submit the form and supporting documentation to: [email protected]

Fees

Stage A Exam: £281
Stage C Exam: £728
Portfolio Submission: £316 (for Stages A, B, and C)

Stage D Training (Post-Qualification Preceptorship): Ensures post-qualification competence at a level comparable to a medical consultant histopathologist.

Upon completion, the Histopathology Reporting Conjoint Board recommends candidates to the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) Council for the Certificate of Completion.

Deadlines for Stage D portfolio submission in 2025:

• 3 January (for February RCPath Council Meeting)
• 18 April (for June RCPath Council Meeting)
• 18 July (for September RCPath Council Meeting)
• 19 September (for November RCPath Council Meeting)

Stage D of Histopathology Reporting Training

The Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath), in collaboration with the IBMS, has developed model job descriptions to support pathology services in appointing consultant healthcare scientists. These descriptions are available for those working in:

• Gastrointestinal pathology
• Gynaecological pathology
• Dermatopathology

Purpose and Benefits

These model job descriptions help:
✅ Ensure a balanced role across clinical, academic, research, and managerial activities
✅ Verify that sufficient support and facilities are in place
✅ Make job descriptions more appealing to potential candidates

For further details, visit the RCPath website.

The IBMS Advanced Specialist Diploma (ASD) in Ophthalmic Pathology is a professional vocational qualification assessed through:

• Training Logbook Assessment 

  • Candidates must maintain a training logbook, documenting their experience and competency in reporting ophthalmic pathology specimens and including evidence of regular assessments of competence in reporting specimen types
  • The named consultant pathologist supervisor must regularly assess and verify the candidate's progress. 
  • The logbook assessment must meet the ASD Ophthalmic Pathology Assessment Indicators

Once the consultant pathologist supervisor is satisfied with the candidate’s training, the logbook can be submitted, allowing the candidate to proceed to the written and oral examinations.

Guidance

Full details of the qualification, learning outcomes, and assessment criteria can be found in the ASD Ophthalmic Pathology Guidance.

For any deferrals, withdrawals, or mitigating circumstances, contact [email protected].

The exam involves four assessments:

• Portfolio of experiential learning

• Written Examination

  • Evaluates theoretical knowledge and understanding of ophthalmic pathology.

• Practical Examination

  • Assesses the ability to dissect and report ophthalmic pathology samples accurately.

• Oral Examination

  • Candidates must discuss their portfolio, case studies, and diagnostic approach with examiners.

Did you know?

The IBMS Advanced Specialist Diploma Prize is awarded annually to the candidate who achieves the highest marks in their Advanced Specialist Diploma (ASD) examinations.

This prestigious award recognises excellence and outstanding performance in IBMS qualifications.

Prize

• A £250 cheque
• A certificate

To be eligible, candidates must be sitting the examinations for the first time.

All prizes are presented at the IBMS Annual General Meeting (AGM).

 

To apply for the IBMS Advanced Specialist Diploma (ASD) in Ophthalmic Pathology, applicants must be:

• A Member or Fellow of the IBMS
• HCPC registered

Additionally, applicants must have:

• At least five years of post-registration experience
• A single named consultant pathologist trainer responsible for mentoring, guidance, and progress monitoring
• Undertake training in a laboratory that is UKAS-accredited

To apply, candidates must:

1. Order the Training Logbook

   • Submit £31 payment and a completed training logbook order form to [email protected].

2. Submit the Qualification Application

   • Pay £501 along with submitting a completed application form to [email protected].

3. Payment Methods

   • Credit or debit card payment by phone at +44 (0)207 731 0214 ext 142
   • Purchase order from the candidate’s hospital trust.

Applications must be submitted before the portfolio assessment deadline in the intended examination year.

The IBMS Advanced Specialist Diploma (ASD) in Specimen Dissection is a professional vocational qualification assessed through:

1. Portfolio assessment
2. Written examination
3. Oral examination

Portfolio Assessment

• Candidates must meet 27 standards to pass the portfolio assessment before progressing to the exams.
• The portfolio is independently assessed by two members of the Conjoint Examination Board.

Portfolio Submission

Candidates must submit their portfolio electronically. Hard copies will not be accepted.

Portfolios can be submitted via:

• Email (as attachments or a shared folder link) to [email protected]
• Cloud-based file-sharing services, such as OneDrive, WeTransfer, or Google Drive
  • Ensure that no account setup is required for access.
  • If a password is needed, send it along with the shared folder link.
• USB stick, sent to IBMS, Head of Examinations, 12 Coldbath Square, London, EC1R 5HL

Guidance on electronic submissions can be found in the DEP submission guide, which also applies to ASD submissions.

For any deferrals, withdrawals, or mitigating circumstances, contact [email protected].

Written examination

You will complete a 60-minute written exam for each module applied for. It will cover dissection scenarios, pathological processes, anatomical terms, and topical matters.

Oral examination

Your portfolio will guide part of the oral exam, which will also include unseen case(s). The viva length will depend on the number of modules taken, but will not exceed 60 minutes.

2025 Exam Series – Key Dates

• Qualification Application Deadline: Friday 30 May 2025
• Re-sit Application Deadline: Friday 18 July 2025
• Portfolio Submission Deadline: Friday 18 July 2025 (Portfolios accepted from 2 June 2025)
• Exam Date: Monday 24 November 2025 (Held at the candidate’s place of work)

Did you know?

The IBMS Advanced Specialist Diploma Prize is awarded annually to the candidate who achieves the highest marks in their Advanced Specialist Diploma (ASD) examinations.

This prestigious award recognises excellence and outstanding performance in IBMS qualifications.

Prize

• A £250 cheque
• A certificate

To be eligible, candidates must be sitting the examinations for the first time.

All prizes are presented at the IBMS Annual General Meeting (AGM).

 

To apply for the IBMS Advanced Specialist Diploma (ASD) in Cervical Cytology, applicants must:

• Be a Member or Fellow of the IBMS
• Be HCPC registered
• Hold an IBMS Diploma in Expert Practice in Histological Dissection which must include evidence for the relevant module they wish to take

Additionally, applicants must:

• Be supported by a named consultant pathologist trainer
• Training conducted in a UKAS-accredited laboratory
• Training conducted in a laboratory with IBMS post-registration training approval

To apply, candidates must:

1. Order the Training Logbook

   • Submit £31 payment and a completed training logbook order form to [email protected].

2. Submit the Qualification Application

   • Provide £501 payment along with a completed application form to [email protected].

3. Payment Methods

   • Credit or debit card payment by phone at +44 (0)207 731 0214 ext 142
   • Purchase order from the candidate’s hospital trust.

Please note: If you withdraw from the qualification at any point, a £50 administrative fee will be applied to any refund.