Certificate of Expert Practice (Online)

To apply for an IBMS Certificate of Expert Practice Distance (CEP) courses in Leadership and Management, Quality Management and Training as a resident in the UK you must:

• be a Member or Fellow of the IBMS 
• be Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered

To apply for an IBMS Certificate of Expert Practice Distance (CEP) courses in Point of Care Testing (POCT) as a resident in the UK you must:

• be a Licentiate,  Member or Fellow of the IBMS 
• be Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or General Medical Council registered

To apply for an IBMS Certificate of Expert Practice Distance (CEP) courses in Laboratory Information Technology and Clinical Informatics as a resident in the UK you must:

• be a Licentiate, Member or Fellow of the IBMS 
• be a graduate with an honours degree and have at least two years whole-time equivalent experience in laboratory (pathology) information technology (IT).

IBMS Certificate of Expert Practice Distance Learning courses (Online) are available in the following areas:

• quality management
• training
• leadership and management
• 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.

Applications for the 2025 running of the Certificate of Expert Practice (CEP) Distance Learning course (online) will open in mid-August. It will cost £770 to undertake any IBMS CEP Distance Learning course (online) in 2025. To order this, please submit to the IBMS at examinations@ibms.org 

• payment of £770 along with;
• a completed application form 

For information about each of the CEPs, the appropriate application form and information about the funding available to employers of candidates in England please refer to the specific qualification.