Certified Biological Safety Professional (CBSP)

Please read these directives thoroughly before completing the application process. The documentation you provide serves as the basis for the Credentialing Evaluation Board’s (CEB) assessment. If the application is incomplete, it will be returned to you and could result in you missing the application deadline of February 1.

Allow plenty of time for your application, supporting reference questionnaires, and academic transcripts/evaluation reports to reach the CEB. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application and all supporting documentation are sent to the ABSA Office by the deadline.

CANDIDATE CRITERIA
Applicants are asked to determine under which criteria they will be applying for the CBSP credential.  ABSA requires all applicants for the CBSP to meet one of the following requirements:

• Master’s degree or Doctorate with 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours in Microbiology AND four (4) years within the past seven (7) full-time, post-baccalaureate experience as a professional with at least 51% time spent in biosafety program management; or
• Bachelor’s degree (BS or BA) with 20 semester hours or 30 quarter hours of Microbiology AND seven (7) years within the past ten (10) full-time, post-baccalaureate experience as a professional with at least 51% time spent in biosafety program management; or
• Bachelor’s degree (BS or BA) with six (6) semester hours or nine (9) quarter hours of Microbiology AND fifteen (15) years within the past 20 full-time, post-baccalaureate experience as a professional with at least 51% time spent in biosafety program management.

All applicants must have one (1) course entitled “Microbiology”, (e.g., “Pathogenic Microbiology” or “Medical Microbiology”) and to be a minimum of three (3) semester hours or four (4) quarter hours. The other credits may be earned from courses under the ‘Acceptable course titles’ (see list above) on the coursework portion of the CBSP application. Courses with the word’s “microbiology”, “bacteriology” or “microbial” in the title are acceptable. The final determination regarding the applicability of any course will reside with the ABSA Credentialing Evaluation Board.

ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPTS
Academic transcripts are required to receive credit for your education. Transcript fees when required by the institution are to be paid by the applicant. Certified transcripts must be provided by the college or university directly to the ABSA Office (student copies or other copies will not be considered).  E-transcripts are accepted at credentialing@absa.org.

For an applicant providing transcripts from a college or university outside the United States, verification of the degree program including a detailed course-by-course report in English will be required. Any evaluation company accepted by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services is acceptable to evaluate academic degrees/courses. All transcripts must be provided in English.

COURSEWORK
This form is used to identify relevant courses listed on your transcripts that you believe can be applied under the microbiology rubric. List the course name, number of credits and the applicable course category. If you do not have the required one (1) course entitled “microbiology” or you do not have enough hours under the ABSA course areas listed in the application, you will not be eligible to apply.

Be sure to not list courses with zero credit, failed/incomplete, or courses that are not titled on the submitted transcript(s).  These hours will not be counted by the Credentialing Evaluation Board.  ABSA courses PPB® and the BBTC® will be accepted for credit hours but will not substitute for the “Microbiology” course requirement.

REFERENCE QUESTIONAIRRES
A minimum of three (3) professional references are required to be completed and returned using the Professional Reference Questionnaire form.  The individuals completing the form should be submitting the form directly to ABSA and not by means of the candidate.  One (1) reference must be from your current immediate supervisor. If you are self-employed, the reference should be from someone familiar with your professional biological safety experience. The other references may be anyone familiar with your biological safety experience.

References from subordinates and/or personal references are not accepted.  The Credentialing Evaluation Board may request additional references if circumstances dictate.  Applicants are responsible for distributing questionnaires to their associates and follow through to ensure each are completed and submitted prior to the deadline.

If you are new to an organization or are unable to list your current immediate supervisor, you may list your most previous supervisor/manager for a reference but must state (in a separate letter/email) the reason(s) for this variance.

PROFESSIONAL BIOLOGICAL SAFETY EXPERIENCE
Beginning with your present assignment, show a history of your safety career to date, accounting for all time including any lapses/breaks in employment.

Determine the overall percentage of time spent on biological safety.  The overall percentage must be at least 51% and no greater than 100%.  If you have positions that overlap, define the time spent at each position during the overlap (must not exceed 100%).

Provide sufficient descriptions of your overarching biosafety responsibilities listing the specific duties involved.  The descriptions should be concise with enough detail to demonstrate to the Credentialing Evaluation Board (CEB) you have the training and proficiency to become a CBSP(ABSA).

Any non-biosafety related should not be listed and do not cut and paste from your job description. All relevant information should be stated within each organization.  Applications that state “see CV” will be returned to applicant and considered incomplete.

Complete a separate entry for each overarching responsibility, the specific duties involved with that responsibility and the percentage of time spent (effort of biosafety). The bottom calculated total should match the overall percentage of time you indicated in the top portion.

SIGNATURE
Be sure to sign before submitting (electronic or otherwise). If the application is not signed, it is considered incomplete and it will be returned to you. This may result in missing the deadline.

FEES
The CBSP application and CBSP exam fees are non-refundable and can be paid via credit card or by check payable to ‘ABSA International’ in funds drawn from a U.S. Bank. Contact credentialing@absa.org if you need an invoice.

The CBSP application fee of $100.00 must be received by February 1 for your application to be reviewed by the Credentialing Evaluation Board.

Upon approval of your CBSP application, you will be required to pay the $500.00 exam fee. This must be paid prior to scheduling your exam. The exam fee entitles you to three (3) attempts (under current application) with no more than one (1) attempt per year to sit for the exam.

SUBMITTING
Applications and supporting documentation may be emailed to credentialing@absa.org or mailed via U.S. Post to: ABSA International, Attn: Credentialing, 1200 Allanson Road, Mundelein, IL 60060.