For HCPC registered biomedical scientists, CPD isn’t just a requirement at renewal – it’s part of what defines you as a professional. Ongoing development strengthens not only individual careers, but the whole profession.
Whether you’re newly registered, an experienced practitioner, or working towards registration, CPD is central to maintaining standards, building confidence and delivering safe, high-quality patient care.
What counts as CPD for biomedical scientists?
CPD is broader, and more flexible, than many people think.
For biomedical scientists, it might include:
- Attending an IBMS event, such as Congress, or a specialist meeting or webinar
- Completing an IBMS qualification
- Reflecting on a complex case or new piece of equipment in your laboratory
- Reading scientific literature or IBMS publications including the BJBS or the Biomedical Scientist
- Participating in audit, quality improvement or validation work
- Working as an IBMS examiner or verifier, and reflecting on that experience
- Engaging with guidance, standards and professional updates
If it develops your knowledge, skills or understanding and improves your practice, it can count. The key is being able to evidence it and reflect on how it benefits your role and service users.
Making CPD manageable
In busy laboratories and demanding services, CPD can slip down the priority list. But it doesn’t have to mean large blocks of time away from the bench.
Small, consistent actions make a real difference:
- Set a simple development plan for the year
- Identify one learning opportunity each month
- Mix formal and informal learning
- Record activities and reflections promptly
Over time, this becomes second nature.
CPD and HCPC audit: being prepared, not pressured
Every two years, the HCPC audits a sample of registrants at renewal to check they meet CPD standards. If selected, you will be asked to submit a CPD profile covering the previous two years. The most effective way to approach this is to make CPD recording routine.
When reflection and documentation are embedded into your working pattern, an audit becomes far less daunting. It’s simply an opportunity to demonstrate your professionalism and commitment to high standards, the IBMS My CPD portfolio is designed to support you with this.
IBMS My CPD - built for the profession
Our digital CPD system provides a platform to help you:
- Record and organise your CPD activities
- Upload supporting evidence
- Reflect on learning outcomes and impact on practice
- Align activity with HCPC standards
It’s structured in a way that reflects professional requirements and supports you if you are selected for audit. Read more about how the IBMS supports CPD on our website.
As well as creating an online CPD recording system, the IBMS website has a huge library of events, learning materials, guidance and development tools that can be found via our Resource Hub.
Working towards HCPC registration?
If you’re an IBMS member aiming to become a biomedical scientist, developing good CPD habits early is invaluable.
Engaging with CPD while completing your IBMS Registration Training Portfolio, specialist qualifications or academic studies helps you:
- Build reflective practice skills
- Demonstrate professional insight
- Prepare for HCPC registration requirements
- Strengthen future career progression
IBMS membership supports your journey by giving you access to structured training, qualifications, events and a wide range of professional resources that underpin both registration and long-term career development.
A week to reflect
HCPC CPD Week is a timely reminder that professional development isn’t optional. It safeguards the public, strengthens your practice and supports your confidence as a biomedical scientist.
This week, take a moment to review your CPD record, explore IBMS resources, or plan your next development step. Whether you’re maintaining registration or working towards it, the IBMS is here to support you at every stage of your professional journey.
This week the HCPC are running online learning sessions every day at lunchtime. Each webinar focuses on a different aspect of the HCPC standards and professional practice. Recordings of these will also be available on their website afterwards.
Schedule and links
- Your guide to CPD profiles and audits
Monday 2 March 2026, 1pm - How professionalism affects your practice
Tuesday 3 March 2026, 1pm - Your communication and social media
Wednesday 4 March 2026, 1pm - EDI and your practice
Thursday 5 March 2026, 1pm - Understanding scope of practice at advanced levels of practice: a learning session
Friday 6 March 2026, 1pm
Further links
