Biosafety Cabinet Field Certifier Accreditation

NSF first created the accreditation programme for individuals servicing biosafety cabinets back in the 1980s in response to a request from the NIH, CDC, and NCI. NSF operates two accreditation programmes that evaluate individuals who perform field certification of biosafety cabinets: an enhanced programme and a basic programme.

North American field certifiers may apply for accreditation only through the enhanced programme. Candidates living and working outside North America may apply to either the enhanced or the basic programme.

Each programme includes both written and practical, hands-on examinations, along with continuing education and ethics requirements.

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NSF’s Enhanced Biosafety Cabinet Field Certifier Accreditation is the established norm for field certifiers who work in North America.

Recognised as the first and premier credential for individuals who certify Class II biosafety cabinets in North American hospitals, laboratories and research facilities, this programme is referenced in the Centers for Disease Control’s “Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories” (BMBL) as a means of identifying qualified service providers.

Established in the 1980s, the enhanced accreditation programme is geared toward individuals who are interested in certifying biosafety cabinets (BSCs), including A1, A2, B1, B2 and C1. Individuals seeking the enhanced accreditation are evaluated with the following tests:

• Downflow velocity
• HEPA filter leak — gross probe
• Inflow velocity (secondary constricted access)
• Decontamination test
• Inflow velocity (primary, direct inflow measurement)
• Lighting intensity
• HEPA filter leak — scan
• Vibration test
• Site installation assessment
• Noise-level test
• Smoke patterns
• Calculating downflow/inflow velocity from volume (Type B2)

A score of 80% or higher on the written examination also needs to be achieved.

Interested in taking a biosafety cabinet training course online?

NSF offers training and testing at our global headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The following organisations offer training courses designed for individuals interested in learning about biological safety cabinets. NSF’s examinations (both practical and written) are offered at the end of these courses. Please feel free to contact the facilities listed below for more information.

Allometrics
1425 Atlantis Drive
Suite B
Webster, TX 77598
Allometrics website

AABC Testing and Certification
1430 Koll Circle,
Suite 105
San Jose, CA 95112

CE_TEC
7600 Johnstown Rd.,
Harrisburg, PA, 17112

Con-Test
20-520 Westney Road S.
Ajax, ON L1S 6W6
Con-Test website

Engineered Air Balance (EAB)
604 Spring Hill Drive
Suite 100
Spring, TX 77386

VTG, LLC
11 Red Roof Lane
Suite 1A
Salem, NH 03079

Next Steps

To start the application process, please email BioSafetyCabinetry@nsf.org with the following information:

1. High school or college diploma
2. 20 test reports (with five being from a B2 biosafety cabinet)
3. Completed enhanced application

NSF’s basic accreditation programme is for field certifiers who live and work outside North America. It was established to meet a demonstrated need for improved field certification infrastructure worldwide.

This programme includes many of the same components as the enhanced programme but is tailored to the international marketplace. It provides trained field certifiers with credentials to show prospective clients and promotes overall awareness of the need for routine biosafety cabinet maintenance.

Because the costs associated with travelling to the United States for multiple training and testing sessions can be prohibitive, testing under the basic accreditation programme takes place in your home country and is paired with low-cost training courses.

NSF may provide training itself or may partner with outside organisations to offer training and education while NSF provides third-party testing services. By using loaned or donated test equipment and maximising the use of in-country resources, we keep costs as low as possible.

The basic accreditation programme includes both written and practical evaluations of a candidate’s ability to field-certify Type A biosafety cabinets. (Type B biosafety cabinets are not covered.)

Individuals who qualify for the basic accreditation programme take the following tests:

• Downflow velocity (NSF 49)
• Downflow velocity (EN 12469)
• Inflow velocity (secondary constricted access)
• Inflow velocity (secondary exhaust velocity)
• HEPA filter leak — scan
• Site installation assessment
• Smoke patterns

A score of 80% or higher on the written examination also needs to be achieved.

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Novel and Dangerous Pathogens Training laboratory in Salisbury is an NSF preapproved test site for the basic accreditation program’s practical and theoretical examinations. UKHSA is the only approved test site in Europe with Biosafety Cabinet Field Certifier Accreditation training available for candidates from countries outside North America.

Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) is an NSF preapproved test site for the basic accreditation program’s practical and theoretical examinations. MUHAS is the only approved test site in Africa with Biosafety Cabinet Field Certifier Accreditation training available for candidates from countries in Africa. MUHAS may be able to accommodate candidates from outside of Africa.

Next Steps

To start the application process, please email BioSafetyCabinetry@nsf.org.

• A minimum of 8 individuals is required for the training course and testing
• Training/testing can only be done at NSF’s office in India, Ann Arbor MI, or in the student’s home country provided that the testing site meets NSF criteria

Next Steps

To start the application process, please email BioSafetyCabinetry@nsf.org.