Training

After a common introductory module the course comprises of six modules as follows:

• Roles and Responsibilities
• Professional and Academic Qualifications
• Planning and Organising Laboratory Training
• Communication
• Learning Techniques and Presentation Skills
• Assessment and Evaluation

See below for details for the course dates. More information on the learning outcomes for each module can be found here

You can access course content through a designated area of the Ulster University's website, which includes candidate email and discussion forums.  The IBMS Certificate of Expert Practice (CEP) in Training is assessed through two assessment pieces and an online examination>

CEP Course Information Summary

More information on the Certificate of Expert Practice qualifications including the reflective tasks within the modules, the expectations around participants involvement in the discussions forums and how the qualification is assessed can be found here.

The course dates for 2024 are stated below. Please note that each module last two weeks apart from the module in which Easter falls, which in 2024 is during module five, that module will last three weeks.

We will start taking applications for the 2025 course in the week commencing 19 August 2024. The course dates for 2025 will be agreed by the CEP Examination Board in due course.

Applications for 2024 open	W/C 14 August 2023
Closing date for applications	8 December 2023
Log-in details available	First week of January 2024
Introductory Module	5 January
Module 1	19 January
Module 2	2 February
Module 3	16 February
One week break	1 March
Deadline for submission of first assessment piece	7 March
Module 4	8 March
Module 5	22 March
Module 6	12 April
Finish	25 April
Examination	9 May
Exam Result Notification	3 June
Examination (Re-sits)	13 June
Deadline for submission of second assessment piece	14 June
Results Released	9 July
Certificates Sent Out	W/C 15 July

Please note that places on this CEP will will limited to a maximum of 60 participants in 2024. 

Update (2 October 2023): Places for this CEP in 2024 are now full. If you apply now you will be placed on a waiting list. Should any candidates who have already registered on the CEP drop out places will be allocated in the order they are added to the waiting list.

To undertake this CEP you must have active Member (MIBMS) or Fellow (FIBMS) status of the IBMS at the point of application and you must maintain your membership throughout the duration of the qualification.  We will start to take applications for the 2025 running of this CEP in mid-August 2024. When the application window opens to apply you will need to submit via email to the IBMS Examinations Team:

• a completed Certificate of Expert Practice in Training Application Form
• your payment of £770 (for the 2025 course)

Payment can be made via Purchase Order (which should accompany the completed application form) or by card payment. If you wish to pay by card, you will be contacted for your card payment details once the application form has been received. On the application form you are requested to briefly describe why you are applying to undertake the qualification. Your application will not be accepted or rejected based on what is stated instead this information is being requested simply to enable us to understand your level of experience and the motivation for applying. Candidates are only allowed to undertake one of the distance learning courses at a time.

Grant Funding (Updated for 2024 candidates)

The employers of candidates in England who are undertaking any the distance learning Certificate of Expert Practice (CEP) qualification in 2024 will be eligible for a grant to support the training of the individual. This funding will be £500 per candidate. Claims will not be accepted until the course commences in January 2024. More information on the grant that is available and how and when it can be claimed can be found here.

You can find articles and online resources to support you in completing an IBMS Certificate of Expert Practice in Training in our Resources section

If you wish to defer, withdraw or highlight any mitigating circumstances please contact examinations@ibms.org as soon as possible.

If you have any questions about the IBMS Certificate of Expert Practice in Training please contact examinations@ibms.org