Higher
In person

BPCA Certificated Field Biologist Accreditation

Field Biologists are vital within food sites. This exam is for technicians working in the food manufacturing industry who wish to develop their skills and become Field Biologists.

Field biologists hold some of the most senior positions in pest management. 

Field biologists are industry experts who help businesses comply with audit standards, especially those in food processing. They use their knowledge to guide pest management teams effectively. 

To understand what it means to be a Field Biologist, you may wish to attend the one-day course Becoming a Field Biologist programme to learn about this role.

Higher

Level 2 Pest Management (or equivalent), L2 Health & Safety, L3 Food Safety and Certified Advanced Technician (or equivalent)

In-person exam

3.5-hour exam

Written exam + portfolio

BPCA Certificated Field Biologist Accreditation
Overview

Before taking this exam, you must meet specific criteria:

You must also be aged 16 or over to take this exam.

Delivery

Exam-only programme

There is no course or online learning provided with this programme.

To understand what it means to be a Field Biologist, you may wish to attend the one-day course Becoming a Field Biologist programme to learn about this role.

Assessment

You require experience of multiple sites within the food industry. Your portfolio must include a minimum of five typed inspection reports produced by you from at least three different sites.

Your reports should show different types of visits and different types of sites. You should follow a typical report format, eg initial report details, date, location, site type, report type, introduction, observations, findings, recommendations, priorities, conclusions and summary.

Any information that might identify a customer should be removed from these reports.

Sites might include: 

  • Food manufacturing facilities
  • Wet and dry pet food manufacturers
  • Animal husbandry units
  • Food warehouses and distribution centres
  • Hospitals, prisons, universities and similar large public and private sector institution
  • Cook-chill catering units
  • Large hotels or large food retail outlets

To pass the Certificated Field Biologist exam, you need to take a 3.5-hour exam split into two sections:

  • ID section – 45 Minutes
  • Written exam questions – 2 hours 45 minutes - two scenarios and 15 questions.
Fees

The course fee includes morning and afternoon refreshments and lunch.

Full exam

  Including VAT Excluding VAT
Members £402.60 £335.50
Non-members £547.80 £456.10

Unit 1 resit

  Including VAT Excluding VAT
Members £211.20 £176.00
Non-members £277.20 £231.00

Cancellation Terms:

Exam cancellations will only be accepted on receipt of written instruction and are effective from the date received by the BPCA.

  • More than 15 working days prior to exam: No charge
  • 15 working days or less: 100% of fee.

Full terms and conditions apply.

Our learners said...

The programme was excellent. The great resources and excellent delivery by the tutors really put the fun back into learning for me. The tutors put everyone in the team at ease and built our confidence in what can sometimes be a daunting situation. There was fantastic teamwork and support from everyone involved.

April Pearson, Shetland Islands Council

The course was excellent and I thought the information provided throughout was first class.

David Stainton, Xeric Systems

An amazing learning experience which I feel fortunate to have taken part in. Such an intelligent and psychologically subtle way to be encouraged to absorb information.

Peter Antrobus, Hill Farm Pest Control

The course last week was excellent, and the tutor was very good. I look forward to receiving the results

John R Corsan , Wessex Agri

Thank you to all that helped me last week, you were fantastic and made a great team. In particular, I liked the training methods of the tutors. Now, to the exam!

Ian Boxall, self-employed

Why choose to train with the BPCA