Certificate of Expert Practice (Online)
Advance your career with an IBMS online learning course
Online learning
IBMS Certificates of Expert Practice Distance Learning courses (online) enable biomedical scientists, who are at Member (MIBMS) or Fellow (FIBMS) levels and with at least two years post registration experience looking to specialise in management, training or quality roles, to demonstrate their knowledge and skill in these areas and progress onto other IBMS qualifications.
These professional qualifications are assessed by reflective learning statements and an online examination.
Further information
Who can apply for a Certificate of Expert Practice (Online)
To apply for an IBMS Certificate of Expert Practice Distance (Online) Learning courses in Leadership and Management, Quality Management and Training if you are resident in the UK you must:
To apply for an IBMS Certificate of Expert Practice Distance (Online) Learning courses in Laboratory Information Technology and Clinical Informatics, Molecular Pathology or Point of Care Testing (POCT) if you are resident in the UK you must:
- be a Licentiate, Member or Fellow of the IBMS
- be Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered
About the Certificate of Expert Practice (Online)
IBMS Certificate of Expert Practice Distance Learning courses (Online) are available in the following areas:
- quality management
- training
- leadership and management
- molecular pathology
- point of care testing
- Laboratory Information Technology and Clinical Informatics
The courses (six modules) are available online using the Ulster University's Blackboard Learn site. Following a common introductory two week module each qualification consists of six modules each of which last two weeks (apart from the module where Easter falls which lasts for three weeks). The modules are delivered in a student centred format with continuous assessment to enable students to self-monitor their progress.
A tutor-led forum allows students to seek clarification about the course content and explore aspects of the course between themselves and each tutor. The qualifications are assessed through the submission of two assessment pieces (one at the mid-point and the other at the end of course) and an end of course on-line examination.
A summary of the structure, expectations on candidates and assessment arrangements can be found here.
Fees and how to apply for the Certificate of Expert Practice (Online)
It costs £710 to undertake an IBMS Certificate of Expert Practice Distance Learning course (online). To order this, please submit to the IBMS Examinations Team:
- payment of £710 along with;
- a completed application form
Applications for the 2022 running of these courses will be accepted from the week commencing 15 August 2022. Fees can be paid by:
- credit or debit card payment by phone on +44 (0)207 713 0214 or
- purchase order from your hospital Trust
Grant Funding (Updated 28 February 2022)
The employers of candidates in England who are undertaking any the distance learning Certificate of Expert Practice (CEP) qualification in 2023 are eligible for a grant of £1,000 per candidate to support the training of the individual. More information about the process of claiming this funding can be found here.
For further information about the IBMS Certificates of Expert Practice Distance Learning courses (online) please contact examinations@ibms.org