Diploma of Expert Practice
Advance your career and demonstrate high levels of knowledge, skills and competence in your practice
The IBMS Diplomas of Expert Practice qualifications enable biomedical scientists with five years post registration experience, working in highly specialised areas of practice to demonstrate high levels of knowledge, skill and competence in their specialist subject area.
They are expert-level professional vocational qualifications assessed by a portfolio of experiential learning and a multi-component assessment, which varies depending on the qualification being undertaken.
The Diploma of Expert Practice is currently available in the following disciplines:
- Histological Dissection
- Immunocytochemistry
- Mohs Histological Procedures
- Diagnostic Cytopathology
- Haematology
- Ultrastructural Pathology
For further information about IBMS Diplomas of Expert Practice in other disciplines, please contact examinations@ibms.org
Further information
Who can apply for a Diploma of Expert Practice
To apply for an IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice you must:
- be a Member or Fellow of the IBMS
- be HCPC registered
- have a specified number of years post registration experience (see individual qualification guidance documents(
The laboratory where you plan to take the IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice should be a United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) registered laboratory and have must have IBMS post-registration training approval.
If you are unsure whether your laboratory has IBMS laboratory approval for please check with your laboratory manager or training officer.
How to apply for the Diploma of Expert Practice
To apply for an IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice please submit to the IBMS Examinations Team:
- a completed IBMS qualifications application form including training officer/supervisor signature
- an IBMS Training logbook order form (for DEP in immunocytochemistry, mohs histological procedures and histological dissection)
- payment of £420 (plus any additional fees detailed above)
You can also submit a copy of your application and payment by post to Examinations, IBMS, 12 Coldbath Square, London, EC1R 5HL.
You can find qualification application forms and further information on how to apply on the relevant qualification pages.
Key dates for the Diploma of Expert Practice
2024
DEP in Histological Dissection and Immunocytochemistry
- Closing date for applications - Friday 31 May 2024
- Portfolio submission deadline - Friday 26 July 2024 (but portfolios can be submitted from week commencing 3 June 2024)
- Written Examination - Monday 25 November 2024 (to be sat in own local hospital)
DEP in Non-Gynaecological Cytology
- Closing date for applications - Friday 16 February 2024
- Portfolio submission deadline - Friday 1 March 2024
- Written Examination - Tuesday 7 May 2024 (to be sat in own local hospital)
- Microscopy Examination date - Date TBC but likely to be last week of June or first week of July 2024
DEP in Routine Haematology
- Closing date for applications - TBC
- Portfolio submission deadline - TBC
- Examination date - TBC
Diploma of Expert Practice fees
It costs £420 (from January 2024), to undertake an IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice.
The Diploma of Expert Practice (DEP) in Immunocytochemistry, DEP in Histological Dissection and DEP in Mohs Histological Procedures all require a training logbook costing an additional £30..
Once a candidate has passed the DEP in Histological Dissection additional competencies (modules) cost £60 (no matter how many additional modules are being applied for).
Please submit to the IBMS Examinations Team:
- payment of £420 (from January 2024),
- a completed application form
Fees can be paid by:
- credit or debit card payment by phone on +44 (0)207 731 0214 or
- purchase order from your hospital Trust