Registered Biological Safety Professional (RBP)

A Registered Biological Safety Professional (RBP) is a biosafety practitioner with documented university education or specialized training in biological safety disciplines. To qualify for the RBP credential, applicants must have successfully completed one accredited, 3-credit course titled “Microbiology” or “Molecular Biology.”

RBPs demonstrate foundational knowledge of infectious agents, biological hazards, and essential biosafety principles. They apply appropriate containment strategies, maintain current biosafety competencies, and support the safe conduct of research and laboratory activities.

The RBP designation is awarded upon approval of the application by the Credentialing Evaluation Board (CEB). Application materials include official transcripts or evaluation reports, documented biosafety experience, and three (3) professional references.

Important Update

Beginning December 15, 2025, applicants must use the updated RBP application found here. Older versions will not be accepted.

RBP Candidate Criteria

To be considered for the RBP credential, your application must clearly demonstrate that your education and experience meet the eligibility criteria. Applicants must have successfully completed one accredited, 3-credit course titled “Microbiology” or “Molecular Biology.”

Your application must also show evidence of comprehensive biosafety program management, including sufficient detail to demonstrate that your responsibilities, experience, and professional judgment align with the expectations of a Registered Biological Safety Professional and support a thorough evaluation by the Credentialing Evaluation Board (CEB).

Biosafety Experience Overview

Applicants must meet the required month-equivalents of professional biosafety experience as determined by the Credentialing Evaluation Board (CEB). One month-equivalent equals one month of full-time biosafety service; part-time or mixed-duty roles are prorated based on the percentage of time spent on biosafety work.

Your cumulative biosafety experience must meet the following degree-related minimums:

  • Bachelor’s degree (BS/BA): minimum of 72 month-equivalents
  • Master’s degree (MS): minimum of 54 month-equivalents
  • Doctoral degree (PhD): minimum of 36 month-equivalents

Applications that do not meet these minimums will be denied.

Academic Transcripts Overview

Official academic transcripts are required. For international applicants, a degree verification and course-by-course evaluation in English must be submitted directly from a NACES-recognized evaluation agency. Additional information about NACES requirements and acceptable evaluation services is provided later on this webpage.

Professional References

Applicants must provide three (3) professional references. Completed reference forms must be submitted directly by the individuals providing them, and only the contacts listed on your application may submit a reference on your behalf.

Application Submission & Fees

The RBP application fee is $150. Applicants cannot pay until they have requested and received an invoice from credentialing@absa.org; self-invoicing is not available.

The Credentialing Evaluation Board (CEB) accepts RBP applications year-round; however, review times may be longer from December through March due to the CBSP Exam application cycle.

Applications may be submitted via email to credentialing@absa.org
or by U.S. mail to:
ABSA International
Attn: Credentialing
1200 Allanson Road
Mundelein, IL 60060.

Forms

Notes for RBP Applicants from the ABSA Office

  • The Credentialing Evaluation Board (CEB) independently reviews and evaluates all RBP applications.
  • The ABSA Office does not review qualifications or make eligibility decisions; our role is administrative only.
  • We can assist with confirming receipt of materials and guiding you through the submission process.
  • If you believe you meet the eligibility criteria, you are encouraged to apply.
  • Partial applications cannot be forwarded to the CEB; all required materials must be submitted before review.
  • Please do not ask the ABSA Office to determine whether your degree, coursework, or professional training meets eligibility requirements; only the CEB can make that determination.

Notes for RBP Applicants from the Credentialing Evaluation Board (CEB)

Your application must clearly demonstrate that your education and experience meet the RBP eligibility criteria and provide sufficient detail to reflect comprehensive biosafety program management. Include only biosafety-related responsibilities in the biosafety experience section, as incomplete or unclear descriptions may delay review. Official transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution; student copies are not accepted. Applicants with international education must submit both a degree-equivalency evaluation and a course-by-course evaluation from a recognized credential evaluation service.

The following criteria outline the minimum academic and professional requirements for registration as a Registered Biological Safety Professional (RBP). Applicants must meet all applicable requirements and follow the instructions provided in each section.

RBP CANDIDATE CRITERIA

Education

  • You must have graduated from an accredited college or university1 with a Bachelor’s degree in a physical or biological science discipline (approved fields listed below).
  • Degrees outside these areas will be reviewed for acceptability on a case-by-case basis by the Credentialing Evaluation Board (CEB).
  • You must have successfully completed one (1) accredited, 3-credit course titled “Molecular Biology” or “Microbiology”.
  • Applicants with international education must submit a course-by-course evaluation2 to verify academic prerequisites, including completion of the required 3-credit course.

APPROVED FIELDS OF STUDY

Physical Science

Approved physical science disciplines include Chemistry, Earth Science, and Physics.

Biological Science

Approved biological science disciplines include fields such as Affective Neuroscience, Anatomy, Animal Health Science, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Science, Biophysics, Biotechnology, Cell Biology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Computational Neuroscience, Conservation Biology, Cytology, Developmental Biology, Ecology, Embryology, Environmental Science, Evolutionary Biology, Evolutionary Genetics, Food Science, Genetics, Genomics, Health Sciences, Immunogenetics, Immunology, Medical Technology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Oncology, Parasitology, Pathology, Pharmaceutical Science, Pharmacogenomics, Pharmacology, Physiology, Plant Science, Proteomics, Structural Biology, Systems Biology, Toxicology, Wildlife Biology, and Zoology.

REFERENCE QUESTIONAIRRES

You are responsible for sending the reference questionnaires to your selected contacts. Only the individuals listed on your application may submit a reference on your behalf.

  • Provide three (3) professional references:
    • One (1) from your current employer
    • Two (2) from previous biosafety-related positions
  • Follow up with your references to ensure the completed forms are submitted directly to ABSA.
  • Reference forms must be submitted directly by the individuals providing the references.

BIOSAFETY EXPERIENCE SECTION

Begin with your current position and list your biosafety career history in chronological order.

  • For each position, indicate the percentage of time devoted to biosafety (51–100%).
  • Your primary role must involve the management and oversight of a comprehensive biosafety program.
  • Provide clear descriptions of biosafety-related duties in your own words; do not paste job descriptions or refer to your CV.
  • Ensure your narrative aligns with the percentage of biosafety effort you report.
  • When listing concurrent positions, allocate time appropriately so that the combined effort does not exceed 100%.
  • Break down responsibility-specific efforts, ensuring totals match the overall biosafety percentage reported.
  • The Credentialing Evaluation Board (CEB) may adjust reported percentages based on the narrative provided.

Important Limits:

No more than 50% of the required biosafety experience may come from:
– Laboratory experience substitution, or
– Inspection-only or compliance-only roles

The table below provides examples of biorisk program components (this is not an exhaustive list of program elements).

Biorisk Program Management Examples

Note: The following inadequate examples do not meet the comprehensive biosafety program-management criteria required for the RBP credential.

Adequate Examples of Biorisk Program Management Inadequate Examples of Biorisk Program Management
Approving biorisk assessments involving infectious agents, GMOs, challenge animals, or plant pathogens, and recommending or approving risk-mitigation strategies as part of biosafety program oversight. Approving risk assessments
Serving as the Biosafety Officer on a facility IBC; advising on risk-mitigation and communication strategies; approving facility biorisk assessments as part of program-level responsibilities. Participating on an IBC
Developing and delivering biosafety training programs (e.g., OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens, General Biosafety, Viral Vector Safety, Large-Scale Biosafety, Agent-Specific Training, Biosafety Awareness) as part of biosafety program management responsibilities. Performing training
Writing and/or approving biorisk management policies, procedures, and SOPs for laboratories, large-scale areas, or animal facilities handling infectious agents. Implementing laboratory SOPs or biosafety practices
Representing biosafety on engineering design teams; ensuring containment and design criteria reflect biosafety requirements; contributing to facility design standards. Participating on engineering project teams

Helpful Hints for Completing the Biosafety Experience Section

  • Describe Part-Time Positions Clearly
    Indicate the number of hours worked per week or the fraction of a full-time equivalent. Month-equivalents are based on full-time employment; part-time roles are prorated accordingly.
  • Clarify Any Concurrent Roles
    If two positions overlapped, specify the percentage of biosafety effort assigned to each during the overlap. Total effort for any period may not exceed 100%.
  • Define Laboratory Safety Responsibilities
    When describing laboratory safety duties, clarify what you mean by “lab.”

    • Oversight limited to a single-researcher lab performed alongside your own research is considered a research role and generally earns no more than 10% credit.
    • Oversight of multi-researcher, multi-floor, or multi-building environments may qualify as biosafety program management.
  • Explain the Scope of Your Program
    Provide context that helps the CEB understand the size, complexity, and diversity of the biosafety program you support (e.g., number of labs, agent types, risk groups, research disciplines, or campus dispersion).
  • Align Effort Percentages With Duties
    Ensure the percentage of biosafety effort you report for each role matches the responsibilities you describe. Inconsistencies may result in adjusted percentages.
  • Be Specific About Biosafety Duties and Outcomes
    Focus on biosafety-related responsibilities, actions, and results. Avoid vague descriptions or lists of general job tasks.

SUBSTITUTIONS OR MODIFICATIONS

Laboratory Experience Substitution

Certain laboratory experience may be credited toward professional biosafety experience.

  • Up to 10% of the time spent safely handling biohazardous materials in a microbiology laboratory may be applied toward biosafety experience.
    • Example: Five years of direct work with biohazardous materials may yield six (6) months of credit toward biosafety experience.
  • Only experience involving direct handling of biological agents qualifies for substitution.

Degree-Based Substitutions

  • A Doctoral degree may be credited for up to three (3) years of the required biosafety experience.
  • A Master’s degree may be credited for up to two (2) years.
    • Note: A Master of Public Health (MPH) or a degree in safety policy or management may not qualify unless the coursework has direct application to biological safety.
  • Only one type of professional experience equivalency (e.g., degree substitution or laboratory experience substitution) may be applied. When multiple options are possible, the CEB will grant the equivalency that provides the most credit.
  • All degrees must be fully conferred at the time of application.

Fellowship Programs

Fellowship programs such as NBBTP, GLRCE, MRCE, and similar training programs may count toward biosafety experience on a case-by-case basis.

  • Programs must be successfully completed.
  • Verification of completion must be included with your application.

Academic Substitution for Applicants Without the Required Degree

Applicants who do not meet the minimum degree requirement may substitute 24 months (two years) of qualifying professional biosafety experience per missing academic year.
Example – Qualifying Without a Bachelor’s Degree:
To meet the academic requirement without holding a bachelor’s degree, an applicant must provide a total of 120 months (10 years) of qualifying professional biosafety experience:

  • 74 months to satisfy the degree equivalency, and
  • 46 months to satisfy the minimum biosafety experience requirement

This combination fulfills both the academic and professional experience criteria for RBP eligibility.

RECONSIDERATIONS AND APPEALS

Applicants may appeal once per application.

Reconsideration
If your application is denied by the Credentialing Evaluation Board (CEB), you may submit a written request for reconsideration that directly addresses the reasons for denial.

Appeal
If you are not satisfied with the reconsideration outcome, you may submit a written appeal to the ABSA President within 14 days of the denial letter. Appeals may address only factual or procedural errors related to the review.

The ABSA President will refer the appeal to the ABSA Council for evaluation:

  • If the Council confirms the denial, the decision is final.
  • If the Council does not confirm the denial, the appeal is returned to the CEB with recommendations addressing the identified issues.
  • If the CEB again denies the application, the decision is final.

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

All fees are non-refundable. Applicants must request an invoice before submitting any payment; online payment options are not available until an invoice has been generated. Payments may be made by credit card or by check drawn on a U.S. bank.

  • RBP Application fee: $150
  • Applicants must request an invoice by emailing credentialing@absa.org.
  • Annual Maintenance fee: $25 per credentialing
  • Beginning the year after earning an ABSA credential, credential holders are required to pay a $25 annual maintenance fee for each credential held.

SUBMITTING

Applications and supporting documentation may be emailed to credentialing@absa.org or mailed via U.S. Mail to:

ABSA International
Attn: Credentialing
1200 Allanson Road
Mundelein, IL 60060

Materials may be submitted separately as they become available; however, an application is not complete until all required items—including transcripts, references, and supporting documentation—have been received.

Applicants will receive an email confirmation once their complete application has been forwarded to the Credentialing Evaluation Board (CEB) for review.

Footnotes

  1. Accredited Institutions
    An accredited institution is one recognized by one of the following:
    Western Association of Schools and Colleges; Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools; New England Association of Schools and Colleges; North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges; or Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
  2. International Transcripts
    Applicants submitting transcripts from institutions outside the United States or Canada must provide a course-by-course evaluation verifying all academic prerequisites, including the required 3-credit Microbiology or Molecular Biology course. If the course-by-course evaluation does not list the degree awarded, a degree equivalency evaluation will also be required. All evaluations must be completed by by an agency accepted by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), and all documents a must be in English. A list of current NACES members can be found here.