Achieve HCPC registration as a biomedical scientist
Overview
The title "Biomedical Scientist" is legally protected. To ensure public safety, anyone using this title must meet the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Standards of Proficiency and be HCPC-registered.
Meeting HCPC Standards of Proficiency
Completing an IBMS Certificate of Competence allows you to apply for HCPC registration as a biomedical scientist.
This qualification confirms you have met HCPC Standards of Proficiency through a combination of:
✔ Academic qualifications
✔ Clinical laboratory training
About the IBMS Certificate of Competence
To obtain the Certificate of Competence, you must:
- Hold an HCPC-approved or IBMS Accredited biomedical science degree
- Complete an IBMS Registration Training Portfolio in an IBMS approved laboratory
📌 Timeframe for completion
- The time limit for completing the qualification has been removed.
- However, outdated versions of portfolios expire after three years from the release of a new version.
- Evidence must be within three years of verification, or it will not be accepted.
Academic qualifications
Your qualifications must align with HCPC Standards of Proficiency for biomedical scientists.
Acceptable degrees include:
✔ IBMS Accredited Honours degree
✔ IBMS Accredited Sandwich Honours degree
✔ IBMS Accredited Integrated Honours degree
✔ HCPC-approved Honours degree
❗ Non-accredited Degrees
If your degree is not IBMS Accredited, you may need a qualification assessment and possibly top-up modules before you can start the IBMS Registration Training Portfolio.
Laboratory training
Your training must take place in an IBMS approved laboratory and involves completing the IBMS Registration Training Portfolio.
OneFile
OneFile is the new platform for IBMS Registration Training Portfolios. Find out more
Completing the portfolio
Candidates must complete all sections of the IBMS Registration Training Portfolio.
- Version 5.0:
The training officer must sign off each piece of evidence, demonstrating how the candidate has met the HCPC Standards of Proficiency mapped to that evidence. This version will be issued and completed using OneFile, an ePortfolio platform designed to streamline training, assessment, and verification. - Version 4:
The training officer must continue to ensure that each HCPC Standard of Proficiency is signed off individually.
The named training officer must also sign the final declaration at the end of the portfolio, confirming that the candidate has met all HCPC Standards of Proficiency for biomedical scientists and that the portfolio is complete.
📌 Read our guidance on avoiding plagiarism.
Further information
Who can train the candidate?
Every candidate completing an IBMS Registration Training Portfolio must be assigned a training officer.
The training officer is responsible for:
✔ Ensuring the candidate receives appropriate training
✔ Assessing their progress and competency
Arranging a portfolio verification
To request an examination, the laboratory manager or training officer must submit an IBMS Registration Training Portfolio Verification Request Form to [email protected].
✔ Verifier Allocation
Within three months of receiving the request, the IBMS will assign an external verifier.
✔ Verification Scheduling
The IBMS Registration Team will coordinate with the laboratory training officer and external verifier to arrange a mutually convenient date.
✔ Verification Timing
The portfolio verification typically takes place within three weeks of the verifier being allocated.
Portfolio verification process
During verification, the IBMS verifier will:
✅ Confirm the portfolio is complete and meets HCPC Standards of Proficiency
✅ Assess whether the training was conducted to professional standards
✅ Evaluate if the laboratory remains suitable for IBMS training approval
✅ Ask the candidate to give a tour of the laboratory, demonstrating their understanding of the department and their role
The verifier will then:
🔹 Provide feedback to the candidate and training officer
🔹 Confirm whether the portfolio meets all required standards
🔹 Identify and discuss any areas needing improvement
📌 If improvements are required, the candidate must update their portfolio as advised. Once complete, the laboratory training officer can contact the IBMS Registration Team to request another verification.
Award of Certificate of Competence
Once the verification is complete:
1️⃣ The IBMS verifier submits a Registration Portfolio Verifier's Report to the IBMS Registration Team.
2️⃣ The laboratory training officer submits a Registration Training Portfolio Verification Laboratory Feedback Form to the IBMS Registration Team.
Once both documents are received, the IBMS Registration Team will:
✔ Contact the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to confirm that the candidate has passed their Registration Training Portfolio and is eligible for HCPC registration as a biomedical scientist.
✔ Issue the candidate’s IBMS Certificate of Competence.
IBMS Accredited degrees and HCPC registration
The IBMS considers degrees awarded within the last 10 years as current for Registration Training Portfolio applications.
✔ An IBMS Accredited BSc aligns with the QAA Subject Benchmark Statement and contains required clinical specialisms.
✔ If the degree was completed more than 10 years ago, the candidate must contact the IBMS Education Team at [email protected], providing:
- A copy of their degree certificate
- An academic transcript
- A completed Registration Training Portfolio Application Form
📌 Alternative Route for Older or Non-Accredited Degrees
If a candidate holds:
- An IBMS Accredited BSc (Hons) degree OR
- A non-accredited but relevant BSc (Hons) degree
They may be eligible for the Certificate of Competence by Equivalence (Biomedical Scientist) route.
Reference copies and guidance documents
If you need a replacement reference copy of a Version 4 Registration Training Portfolio or any guidance documents for Version 4, please contact [email protected].
Applying
To apply for an IBMS Registration Training Portfolio, your laboratory must have IBMS Registration Training Approval.
Application requirements
To apply, submit the following to [email protected]:
✔ Completed IBMS Registration Training Portfolio Order Form
✔ Portfolio fee (refer to the order form for payment details)
✔ Copy of the candidate's birth certificate or passport personal details page
✔ Supporting documentation (dependent on degree qualification)
Supporting documentation
📌 Send the following based on your degree status:
- IBMS Accredited degree holders → Copy of degree certificate & academic transcript
- Current IBMS Accredited degree students → Proof of enrolment on an IBMS Accredited course
- Non-accredited degree holders with IBMS assessment → Copy of degree assessment outcome letter & review form
📬 Postal Applications
You can also send forms, payment, and supporting documents by post to:
Registration Team
IBMS
12 Coldbath Square
London
EC1R 5HL
📄 Download the IBMS Registration Training Portfolio Order Form
Need more help?
If you have any questions about the Certificate of Competence please contact us.