Certified Professional Biosafety Compliance Administrator (CPBCA) Exam Application Form

As a qualified Biosafety Administrator, the BSAA encourages you to take your professional certification exam. Achieving the Certified Professional Biosafety Compliance Administrator (CPBCA) credential not only demonstrates your commitment to maintaining the highest standards of biosafety but also opens numerous benefits for both you and your organization. Certification provides a tangible validation of your expertise and dedication, enhancing your credibility in the field. It can lead to increased career opportunities, including higher-paying positions and career advancement. Moreover, certified professionals often have access to a network of like-minded individuals and resources, enabling them to stay updated with the latest developments in biosafety. By pursuing certification, you not only invest in your own professional growth but also contribute to the overall improvement of biosafety practices, safeguarding public health and the environment. Don't miss this chance to stand out as a trusted expert in biosafety and help to further establish the credibility of the credential and create a safer future for all.

A biosafety administrator plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and compliance of research, clinical, or industrial facilities that handle biohazardous materials. Achieving a professional certification in biosafety research compliance offers several benefits, both for the individual and the organizations they serve. Here are some key reasons why a biosafety administrator should pursue professional certification:

  1. Expertise and Knowledge: Professional certifications in biosafety typically require candidates to undergo rigorous training and pass a certification exam that assess their knowledge of relevant regulations, best practices, and safety protocols. This process equips biosafety administrators with a comprehensive understanding of the field, enabling them to make informed decisions and effectively manage biohazardous materials.
  1. Regulatory Compliance: The field of biosafety is heavily regulated, with various agencies and organizations, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal agencies, setting guidelines and standards. A certified biosafety administrator is well-versed in these regulations and can help their organization maintain compliance, reducing the risk of legal and regulatory issues.
  1. Risk Mitigation: Working with biohazardous materials carries inherent risks to both personnel and the environment. Certified biosafety administrators are trained to identify potential hazards and implement risk mitigation strategies. Their expertise can prevent accidents, protect personnel, and minimize environmental contamination.
  1. Improved Safety Culture: Certification fosters a culture of safety within an organization. When staff members see that their biosafety administrator has achieved professional certification, they are more likely to take safety protocols seriously and follow them diligently. This can lead to a safer working environment overall.
  1. Professional Credibility: Certification adds credibility to a biosafety administrator's credentials. It demonstrates to colleagues, superiors, and stakeholders that the individual is committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and professionalism in their work.
  1. Career Advancement: Many employers value certified biosafety administrators and may prioritize hiring or promoting individuals with these qualifications. Certification can open career advancement opportunities and increase earning potential.
  1. Networking Opportunities: Many professional certifications in biosafety come with membership in relevant industry associations and organizations. This provides opportunities to network with peers, attend conferences, and stay updated on the latest developments in the field, which can be invaluable for career growth and staying current with best practices.
  1. Continuous Learning: Maintaining a professional certification often requires ongoing education and recertification. This commitment to continuous learning ensures that biosafety administrators stay up to date with the latest advancements and regulatory changes, enhancing their effectiveness in their roles.

In conclusion, achieving a professional certification in biosafety compliance administration is a valuable investment for biosafety administrators. It enhances their knowledge, credibility, and career prospects while also contributing to a culture of safety and compliance within their organizations. It ultimately helps protect public health and the environment by ensuring the safe handling of biohazardous materials.

Those interested in securing the CPBCA credential must meet the eligibility requirements, apply for, and pass the certification exam. CPBCA credential holders will recertify every three years.

The exam is comprised of 165 multiple choice questions covering the information found in the resource documents listed below. Candidates will have 2 hours to complete the exam. To successfully pass, candidates must answer 70% of the exam questions correctly. Individuals are expected to honor the certification code of ethics and take the exam with closed notes. Candidates will be able to take the exam in their office and will be emailed testing information and a link prior to the exam date.     

The fall round of testing will occur in October of 2023 , which will provide certification candidates sufficient time to prepare for the exam.  If you are considering sitting for the exam this year, please find below a list of the primary resources.

Application /Registration Deadline is October 15, 2023.

STUDY RESOURCES:

The “study resources” list below are intended to aid candidates in their preparation to take the Professional Biosafety Compliance Administrator Certification Exam.  These resources include information of significance to IBC Administrators and others facilitating the daily activities of an institution’s Biosafety Program.

Inclusion of references on this list does not constitute an endorsement by the Biosafety Administrators Association of specific professional literature, which, if used, would guarantee candidates’ successful passing of the certification examination.

  1. National Institutes of Health, Office of Science Policy (OSP)    Link:  https://osp.od.nih.gov/
  • NIH Guidelines/Institutional Biosafety Committee FAQs: 

osp.od.nih.gov/policies/biosafety-and-biosecurity-policy/faqs-on-externally-administered-ibcs/

  1. Center for Disease Control:  https://www.cdc.gov/
  1. Science Safety Security (S3):  https://www.phe.gov/s3/Pages/default.aspx
  1. Occupational Health and Safety in the Care and Use of Research Animals:  https://www.nap.edu/catalog/4988/occupational-health-and-safety-in-the-care-and-use-of-research-animals
  1. The Guide for Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, pg. 17-24:  https://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/guide-for-the-care-and-use-of-laboratory-animals.pdf
  1. US and State Occupation Safety and Health Administrations (29 CFR for Federal)
  2. Viral Vector Systems:  Viral Vector Systems for Gene Therapy: A Comprehensive Literature Review of Progress and Biosafety Challenges.  Applied Biosafety, 2020, Vol 25(1) 7-18 and http://www.dartmouth.edu/ehs/biological/biosafety_docs/viral_vector_chart.pdf
  1. Export Control Regulations, (EAR) (15 CFR § 730-774) -- More specifically, audience should be familiar with the Commerce Control List ECCNs as follows: 1C351, 1C353, 1C354, 1C991, 1E001, 1E351, 2B352, 2E001, 2E002, 2E301 and the remainder of the EAR as applicable to those sections. The Commerce Control List can be found in  Supplement No. 1 to Part 774, Title 15.

 

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