Biorisk Professional Registration Scheme
The Biorisk Professional Registration Scheme (BPRS) provides a mechanism for those involved in management, control or containment of biorisk to develop and evidence their professional skills and to provide a benchmark of professional competence for duty-holders.
BPRS is for anyone acting as a practitioner providing advice, support or oversight on the management, control or containment of biological risk. In practice, there are currently a wide range of job titles covering such roles – Biological Safety or Risk Officer, Adviser or Manager, and several more. These roles can be across a wide range of organisations – universities, research institutes, government labs, NHS path labs, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals etc. and across a wide range of contexts – research labs, diagnostic testing labs, animal facilities, manufacturing facilities etc.
The Registered Biorisk Adviser (RBA) pathway is intended for new practitioners and/or those who require a basic level of recognised competence and/or those who are supporting simple work of lesser inherent risk at low biocontainment.
The higher Registered Biorisk Specialist (RBS) pathway is intended for practitioners developing a career as a biorisk adviser / specialist and/or need a higher level of recognised competence and/or are supporting more complex work of greater inherent risk at high biocontainment.
RBS thus builds on RBA, and the latter is a prerequisite of the former. RBA and then RBS provides a career pathway for practitioners.
Guidance Documents
To join the scheme at RBA level, a qualification in life sciences (or a related subject) at RQF5 level (Diploma / HND) or above is required. There is scope for recognition of alternative qualifications, experiential learning and/or other STEM subjects – please contact the RSB team to discuss. RBA entrants are also required to join RSB at a minimum of Associate (AMRSB) level. For details see Associate (AMRSB) RSB membership. Compliance with the RSB Code of Professional & Ethical Conduct is a requirement, both for entry and for continuing registration. The Code can be found at RSB Code of Conduct. Until 31 May 2026, Level 1 Biosafety Practitioners (BSP1) can become RBA, subject to verification of BSP1 status, joining RSB at a minimum of Associate (AMRSB) level, and providing the evidence for the essential skills component of RBA. Other non-UK qualifications and accreditations in biorisk management may be considered as alternative entry routes for RBA – please contact the RSB team to discuss. To join the scheme at RBS level, prior registration in BPRS as RBA is required, along with a minimum of four years full-time equivalent work with biological agents at Containment Level 2 or in an open laboratory (or operational management or support of such work), or a minimum of two years full-time equivalent work with biological agents at Containment Level 3 or 4 (or operational management or support of such work). There is scope for recognition of a variety of relevant other experience and work backgrounds – please contact the RSB team to discuss. For RBS, formal training is also required as an auditor and as a trainer. An example of courses that would meet these respective requirements are the ISO 45001, OHSAS 18001, ISO 14001, or ISO 9001 auditor courses, the RQF3 certificate in Education & Training (or the previous PTLLS certificate), or a suitable Train-the-trainer course. Significant equivalent professional experience to demonstrate these requirements may be acceptable as an alternative to formal training in some cases – please contact the RSB team to discuss. RBS entrants are also required to join RSB at a minimum of Member (MRSB) level. For details, see Member (MRSB) membership. Compliance with the RSB Code of Professional & Ethical Conduct is a requirement, both for entry and for continuing registration. The Code can be found at the RSB Code of Conduct. Until 31 May 2026, Level 2 Biosafety Practitioners can directly transition to the RBS level, subject to verification of BSP2 status, joining RSB at a minimum of Member (MRSB) level, and to final approval by the BPRS Committee. Other non-UK qualifications and accreditations in biorisk management may be considered as alternative entry routes for RBS – please contact the RSB team to discuss. The key knowledge requirements as set out in the guidance document will be demonstrated by attendance at approved training courses. Approved training courses are; £50 Application fee, £55 renewal fee.Entry requirements
Registered Biorisk Adviser (RBA) entry requirements
Registered Biorisk Specialist (RBS) entry requirements
Training Courses
Fees