Advance your career and showcase your expertise
The IBMS Diplomas of Expert Practice (DEP) are professional vocational qualifications designed for biomedical scientists with five years of post-registration experience working in highly specialised areas of practice. These qualifications provide evidence of expert knowledge, advanced skills, and practical competence in a specialist subject area.
📌 Available specialisms:
- Diagnostic Cytopathology
- Haematology (Routine Haematology, Haemostasis & Thrombosis, Red Cell Disorders)
- Histological Dissection
- Immunocytochemistry
- Mohs Histological Procedures
- Ultrastructural Pathology
📌 For information about IBMS Diplomas of Expert Practice in other disciplines, contact [email protected]
Each qualification is assessed through a portfolio of experiential learning and a multi-component examination (portfolio review, written examination, and practical or oral assessment where applicable).
Upon completion, you will be able to:
✔ Undertake advanced roles in specimen analysis and reporting
✔ Provide expert advice to scientific and medical professionals
✔ Participate in the training of biomedical and clinical scientists
Each DEP qualification includes the following assessments:
✔ Portfolio assessment – A record of training and competence, signed off by a consultant pathologist or supervisor
✔ Written examination – A structured paper assessing knowledge in the specialist area
✔ Practical examination (for some disciplines) – Case-based assessment or microscopy-based evaluation
Specialism-specific assessment details
Diagnostic Cytopathology
- Portfolio assessment – 28 standards must be met before progressing to exams
- Written examination – 75-minute paper, answering 5 out of 6 questions
- Microscopy examination – Case-based assessment of urine, effusion, and respiratory cytology
Haematology (Routine Haematology, Haemostasis & Thrombosis, Red Cell Disorders)
- Portfolio assessment – 27 standards
- Written examination – 120-minute paper with mandatory short-answer, case study, and essay questions
- Practical assessment – Microscopy exam (12 cases in 96 minutes) or viva voce
Histological Dissection
- Portfolio and training logbook assessment
- Written examination – Two papers:
- Paper 1 – Mandatory modules (5 questions in 120 minutes)
- Paper 2 – Optional modules (6 out of 11 questions in 120 minutes)
Immunocytochemistry
- Portfolio and training logbook assessment
- Written examination – Two short-answer papers, each 120 minutes
Mohs Histological Procedures
- Portfolio assessment – 29 standards
- Written examination – Five questions (one per module) in 120 minutes
Ultrastructural Pathology
- Portfolio assessment
- Written examination – Covers both mandatory and optional modules
Exam format and structure details can be found in individual qualification guidance documents in the Resources section below.
📅 Key dates for 2025
✔ Histological Dissection, Ultrastructural Pathology, and Immunocytochemistry
- Application deadline: 30 May 2025
- Portfolio submission deadline: 18 July 2025
- Written examination: 24 November 2025
✔ Diagnostic Cytopathology
- Application deadline: 31 January 2025
- Portfolio submission deadline: 28 February 2025
- Written examination: 6 May 2025
- Microscopy examination: 9–11 July 2025
📌 Portfolios must be submitted electronically via email or a shared folder link. Hard copies will not be accepted.
Entry requirements
To apply for an IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice, you must:
✔ Be a Member or Fellow of the IBMS
✔ Be HCPC registered
✔ Have specialist post-registration experience (varies by discipline)
✔ Work in a UKAS-accredited laboratory with IBMS post-registration laboratory training approval
📌 If you are unsure about laboratory approval, check with your manager or training officer.
How to apply
📩 Submit the following to [email protected]
- Completed application form (with training officer/supervisor signature)
- Training logbook order form (for some qualifications - see Resources section below)
- Payment of £443 (plus, where applicable, £31 for training logbooks)
Payment options
Fees can be paid via:
- Credit or debit card – Call +44 (0)207 731 0214
- Purchase order – Issued by your hospital trust
📌 Candidates can only take one DEP at a time.
Training grants
A £1,000 training grant is available for employers of candidates in England undertaking the DEP in:
✔ Diagnostic Cytopathology
✔ Histological Dissection
✔ Immunocytochemistry
📌 For more details, refer to training grant information 2025.
Deferrals, withdrawals, and mitigating circumstances
📌 To defer, withdraw, or report mitigating circumstances, contact [email protected] as soon as possible.
Need more help?
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the Higher and Expert qualifications please contact us.