To register as a biomedical scientist with the HCPC, you must meet their Standards of Education and Training. This requires you to complete an IBMS Accredited biomedical science degree or apprenticeship (or HCPC approved Healthcare Science/Life Sciences degree) and successfully complete the IBMS Registration Training Portfolio in an IBMS approved training laboratory.
Who are the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS)?
We are a professional body, established in 1912, that represents the interests of biomedical science professionals in the UK and internationally. Our mission is to support, progress and promote our members’ careers and their profession, and to ensure recognition for the important role that biomedical science plays in society.
The IBMS has more than 21,000 members, ranging from students studying IBMS Accredited degrees, laboratory trainees completing the IBMS Registration Training Portfolio, biomedical scientists with IBMS Specialist Diplomas, and advanced laboratory practitioners with higher and expert IBMS qualifications.
The IBMS oversees the route to HCPC registration as a biomedical scientist in the UK and provides professional standards and supports members in their practice by setting quality standards through training, education, assessments, examinations and continuous professional development.
In the UK, there are approximately 56 universities that currently have IBMS Accredited BSc Biomedical Science programmes. Studying an IBMS Accredited BSc Biomedical Science degree programme (or IBMS Accredited level 6 degree apprenticeship) with a clinical placement offers the quickest route to registration as a biomedical scientist.
Any university programme that holds IBMS Accreditation will use the IBMS logo on their promotional material. If they do not have the IBMS logo, ask if the programme is IBMS Accredited or check on our IBMS Accredited webpages.
Who are the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)?
The HCPC are a regulator of 16 health and care professions in the UK, including biomedical scientists.
Congratulations! You have done everything required to be able to register with the HCPC as a biomedical scientist. If you have received your degree certificate and your IBMS Certificate of Competence then you are eligible to register with the HCPC as a biomedical scientist.
If you have completed a degree with an integrated placement (or completed a degree apprenticeship) your university will send a pass list of all graduates from your course to the IBMS to issue your Certificate of Competence. The IBMS will then send your details to the HCPC to allow your registration as a biomedical scientist. Alternatively, if your degree programme is directly HCPC approved, your university may send the pass list directly to the HCPC themselves.
If you have completed a sandwich placement, you will need to send a copy of your degree certificate or an official transcript of your completed degree programme to the IBMS. The IBMS will then issue your Certificate of Competence to you and inform the HCPC that you have completed an IBMS accredited degree programme and have been issued your Certificate of Competence.
You can then apply directly to the HCPC for registration as a biomedical scientist. You must cite the IBMS as the education provider on your application form rather than your university if you completed a sandwich placement.
Please visit the HCPC website to find the application for registration.
If you have applied for registration and are waiting for confirmation from the HCPC, you can check the HCPC register.