Histological Dissection
Demonstrate expert professional skills and advanced knowledge in histological dissection
The IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice in Histological Dissection provides evidence of the scientific and clinical knowledge that underpins the practice of dissection of specimens from categories B & C and the practical competence required to accurately dissect specimens from these categories within the modules studied.
Candidates who achieve an IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice in Histological Dissection will be able to:
- undertake a role that involves the description, dissection and block sampling of specimens from categories B & C
- offer expert professional advice on the dissection of specimens from categories B & C
- participate in the training of biomedical scientists and specialist trainee medical staff in the dissection of specimens from categories B & C
Further information
Who can apply for Histological Dissection
To apply you must be a Member or Fellow of the IBMS, HCPC registered with three years post-registration experience and two years current practical experience in the dissection of histological specimens.
you must also:
- have a single named consultant pathologist trainer who has overall responsibility for mentoring and guiding you and monitoring your progress
- be working in a laboratory that has UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) registered laboratory and that has IBMS laboratory 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.
Histological Dissection qualification structure
The IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice in Histological Dissection is a professional vocational qualification assessed by completion of a portfolio of evidence and a written examination.
The training logbook and portfolio of evidence provide a record of your training and should contain evidence of regular assessments of your competence in reporting the specimen types covered by this qualification by your named consultant pathologist supervisor.
Once your named consultant pathologist supervisor is satisfied that your training is complete you can submit your training logbook and go on to a written examination.
In the Guidance to Candidates and Trainers document it is stated that the case studies should be around 1,000 words (+/-10%) The examiners have agreed that these case studies can be up to 1,500 words and this does not include the words used in any reference list within the case study.
Histological Dissection guidance to candidates and trainers
DEP Histological Dissection Portfolio Assessment Indicators
Histological Dissection assessment
The examination of an IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice in Histological Dissection involves two assessments:
- a portfolio assessment
- a written examination
Portfolio assessment
You must meet 29 standards in order to pass your portfolio assessment and progress to the written examination.
Your portfolio will be independently assessed by two members of the Conjoint Examination Board.
Written examination
The written examination consists of two papers:
Paper 1 (Mandatory Modules)
You must answer one question on each of the five mandatory modules in 120 minutes.
Paper 2 (Optional Modules)
Covers all of the 11 optional modules (1 question per module). You will be expected to answer six questions from a choice of eleven in 120 minutes.
In both papers, questions may vary in their format from short, multi-part or structured answer, or may be based on a diagram or sketch.
Full details of the qualification, learning outcomes and assessment are available in our Histological Dissection Guidance to Candidates and Trainers
Additional competencies for Histological Dissection
Subsequent to obtaining the diploma, if an individual wishes to evidence competence in additional optional modules, the conditions outlined in the guidance to candidates and trainers must be fulfilled and appropriate evidence must be verified by the conjoint examination board.
Candidates who want to submit evidence for additional competencies may now do so at any point in the year.
This evidence will be assessed when the Conjoint Board meets in February, June and October.
A fee applies for submitting additional competencies.
To submit any additional competencies for assessment please send payment of £52 to the IBMS Examinations Team:
You can also submit a copy of your application and payment by post to Examinations, IBMS, 12 Coldbath Square, London, EC1R 5HL.
Histological Dissection key dates
2023 Exam Series - Key Dates
Qualification Application Deadline: Friday 30 June 2023
Deadline for candidates who wish to re-sit in 2023: Friday 28 July 2023
Portfolio Submission Deadline: Friday 28 July 2023 - Portfolios will be accepted from week commencing 3 July 2023 (See Below)
Exams: Monday 20 November 2023 - These exams will be undertaken at the candidates' place of work.
Candidates must submit their portfolio electronically. Hard copy versions of the portfolio will not be accepted. You can scan your portfolio and training logbook and send this via email to examinations@ibms.org
Due to the size of the portfolio (and the number of emails that may require) this may be difficult so alternatively you could put your portfolio into a shared folder such as OneDrive or Google Docs and then send the relevant link to this to examinations@ibms.org so that the Head of Examinations can pick up your portfolio from there. The portfolio can also submitted on a USB stick. Guidance on how the portfolio on how to submit the portfolio electronically can be found here.
Fees and how to apply for the Histological Dissection course
It costs £27 to order an IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice in Histological Dissection training logbook. To order this, please submit to the IBMS Examinations Team:
- payment of £27 along with
- a completed training log book order form
To apply for the qualification in the year in which you plan to submit your portfolio for assessment you will need to submit to the IBMS Examinations Team:
- payment of £386 along with
- a completed application form
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
You can also submit a copy of your application and payment by post to Examinations, IBMS, 12 Coldbath Square, London, EC1R 5HL. Please note that if you withdraw from the qualification at any point a £50 administrative fee will be applied to any refund. Membership of the IBMS must be maintained throughout the period that you are undertaking training for the qualification.
Training Grant Available (New Process from August 2022)
We are now pleased to inform a training grant of £1,000 per candidate is available to employers of candidates in England who are undertaking the DEP or ASD in Histological Dissection. More information on the grant that is available and how and when it can be claimed can be found here.
Histological Dissection resources
You can find past papers, pre-seen questions, and more on the IBMS qualifications resources page.
DEP Histological Dissection Portfolio assessment indicators
Reflection: This plays an in important of the requirements for the DEP portfolio. The following provides guidance on how to write reflective pieces including useful phrases and key words that can be used in such work.
You can find discipline specific reading lists to support you in completing an IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice on our Science Reading page. You can find articles and online resources to support you in completing an IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice in our Resources section.
Specimen dissection training courses run by the North of England Pathology Screening and Education Centre (NEPSEC).
Position Statement on Role Requirements and Banding for Scientists Undertaking Histopathological Dissection
This position statement provides information on the role requirements and banding for Scientists undertaking Histopathological Dissection. The statement can be found here.
Online Learning Programme to Support Implementation of New and Revised Cancer Datasets and Tissue Pathways
The College is introducing a learning programme to support pathologists with the implementation of new and revised clinical guidelines which they think the IBMS membership may also be interested in. These free webinars will be presented by the guideline authors and will focus on the aspects of the guidelines that have changed, with practical tips on how to collect data, clinical scenarios for data items and ample time for questions. For more information please visit the RCPath website here
Histological Dissection Training Logbook Reference Copy
The DEP in Histological Dissection Logbook was updated in March 2017 following discussion and review by the IBMS/RCPath Histological Dissection Conjoint Board. The second document indicates the differences between the previous (June 2012) and the new version of the logbook. It also explains how those who were issued with a logbook prior to March 2017 should evidence the new requirements.
IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice in Histological Dissection Training Logbook
Differences between June 2012 and March 2017 version of training logbook
Deferrals, withdrawals and mitigating circumstances
If you wish to defer, withdraw or highlight any mitigating circumstances please contact examinations@ibms.org as soon as possible.
For further information about the IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice please contact examinations@ibms.org.