Mohs Histological Procedures
Demonstrate expert professional skills and advanced knowledge
The IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice in Mohs Histological Procedures provides evidence of both the scientific and clinical knowledge and practical competence required within the modules studied.
Candidates who achieve an IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice in Mohs Histological Procedures will be able to:
- undertake a role that involves the evaluation and appropriate tissue handling and processing of Mohs samples
- offer expert professional advice
- participate in the training of biomedical scientists and specialist trainee medical staff in Mohs histological procedures
Further information
Who can apply
To apply you must be a Member or Fellow of the IBMS, HCPC registered with two years whole time equivalent post-registration experience in histology, with at least two years current practical experience in Mohs procedures.
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 is CPA (Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK) Ltd) or 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.
Qualification structure
The IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice in Mohs Histological Procedures is a professional vocational qualification assessed by completion of 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 the written examination.
Mohs Histological Procedures guidance to candidates and trainers
Assessment
The examination of an IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice in Mohs Histological Procedures 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 IBMS Advisory Panels.
Written assessment
You will be expected to answer all questions with one question from each of the five mandatory modules in 120 minutes.
The 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 Mohs Histological Procedures Guidance to Candidates and Trainers.
Fees, how to apply and key dates
It costs £31 to order an IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice in Mohs Histological Procedures training logbook. To order this, please submit to the IBMS Examinations Team:
- payment of £31, 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 £443, along with
- a completed application form
Fees can be paid by:
- credit or debit card payment by phone on +44 (0)207 731 0214 ext 142 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.
Key Dates
2024 Exam Series - Key Dates
Qualification Application Deadline: Friday 31 May 2024
Portfolio Submission Deadline: Friday 26 July 2024 - Portfolios will be accepted from week commencing 3 June 2024 (See Below)
Exams: Monday 25 November 2024 - 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 stic
Additional resources
Guidance on Recognising and Avoiding Plagiarism
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.
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.