Biomedical scientists - time to register

BIOMEDICAL scientists are required by law to renew their registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC) every two years to stay on the HPC Register and continue to practise using the title ‘biomedical scientist’. Here is some information about renewing your registration with the HPC.

Your HPC registration renewal cycle is fast approaching so please don’t forget to pay and sign

In early September 2009, a registration renewal form is sent to all biomedical scientists on the HPC Register. All sections of this form needs to be filled in, signed and returned to the HPC with the renewal payment.

Every registrant must do two things to make sure their name stays on the HPC Register:

• pay the registration renewal fee (various payment methods) AND
• send us their signed renewal declaration

We also stress that registrants must be sure to pay and sign. Even if the direct debit payment comes out of your account, you still need to complete and sign the renewal form.

All registrants are required to pay their renewal fee and return their signed and completed renewal form to the HPC as soon as possible but no later than the 30 November 2009 to make sure their name stays on the Register.

The HPC fees increase came into effect on 1 April 2009. The annual renewal fee is £76 per year, which is an increase of £4, or £152 for two years (or less if a new registrant qualifies for the reduced rate). The amount that each registrant is required to pay will be shown on their renewal form. The HPC fees had to be increased to enable the HPC to continue to operate effectively and fulfil its primary role of protecting the public. The HPC has attempted to keep the fees increase relatively low by increasing them broadly in-line with inflation.

To help spread the cost of registration over the two-year registration cycle, registrants can pay in instalments by direct debit. We will then deduct £38 (or less if a registrant is paying the reduced rate) on specific dates over the two-year registration cycle. More information about paying by direct debit along with the instalment dates will be sent to all registrants with their renewal form. 

Payment can also be made by cheque or money / postal order, however if paying by this method, the full amount must be sent to the HPC with the renewal form.

Continuing professional development
Since July 2006, all registrants must carry out continuing professional development (CPD). All registrants must sign the renewal form to confirm they are undertaking CPD each time they renew their registration. When biomedical scientists are invited to renew their registration 2.5% of the profession will be audited to check our CPD standards are being met. Those randomly selected for audit will receive a separate notification shortly after their renewal notices are sent out. For more information on our standards, and about how to fill in your CPD profile as well as guidance notes for writing the profile, please visit the CPD page on our website www.hpc-uk.org/registrants/cpd/

You can also download our brochure ‘your guide to our standards for continuing professional development’ which features information about the audit process.

The HPC has recently launched its CPD presentation DVD online. The DVD was designed and produced to assist registrants with their understanding of the HPC requirements for CPD and prepare for the CPD audits by giving helpful tips. The DVD has received highly positive feedback from registrants which is why the HPC have now made this presentation available online. To view the presentation www.hpc-uk.tv/flash.html

How long will it take for HPC to process my renewal?
Once received, we will process renewal forms in approximately five to seven working days.  When a renewal form has been processed and a payment has been made, the HPC online Register is immediately updated to show the new registration dates (30 November 2009 – 1 October 2011). The Register is in real-time and is therefore the best way for registrants to check that their form has been processed. The Register can be viewed at www.hpc-uk.org/register.

All registrants will be sent a certificate and authentication card once their renewal form and payment has been received and successfully processed. We urge biomedical scientists to send in their renewal forms as soon as possible as it allows time to resolve any issues arising well before the deadline. So don’t leave it to the last minute!

Returners to practice
All registrants need to confirm whether or not they have practised their profession since they last renewed their registration.

For the purposes of renewing registration, or determining whether our return to practice requirements need to be met, we have defined ‘practising your profession’ as drawing on your professional skills and/or knowledge in the course of your work.

If you have been out of practice for more than two years you will need to undertake a period of updating your skills and knowledge before you can become re-registered. To find out more about our returners to practice requirements please visit our website www.hpc-uk.org/registrants/readmission/

What happens if you are no longer practising your profession?
If you do not need to be registered with us, you can make an application for the removal of your name from the Register. This application must be made in writing and should be accompanied by a declaration stating that you are not aware of any matter which could give rise to an allegation being made against you. 

If you do not wish to renew your registration, and you currently pay your fee by direct debit, you must call us before the first instalment date. You must also tell your bank that you wish to cancel the direct debit instruction. This will ensure that the amount is not deducted from your bank account.