This course ͏has been designed to meet the knowledge requirements of The Registered Biorisk Adviser (RBA) pathway of the Biorisk Professional Registration Scheme (BPRS). This course is approved by the Royal Society of Biology. Training course approval is an independent review process that recognises relevant, high quality training. Upon completion of this course, attendees can claim 135 CPD points.

Who should complete this course?

This course is aimed at anyone acting as a practitioner providing advice, support or oversight of the management, control or containment of biological risks, including:

  • Health, safety and biosafety advisors and professionals
  • Facility mangers and coordinators
  • Managers (including science and operations)

Note:

The material presented in this course is based primarily on universal principles, such as those outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO). While this course mentions specific UK and international law at different points, this is to provide examples of how some of those fundamental principles are legislated. Hence, this course is open to audiences from any country or geographical location.

Requirements and qualifications

Basic understanding of how biological laboratories are operated is recommended. This course is taught in English.

Course details

  • Blended learning (eLearning followed by four days of in-person training at The Pirbright Institute)
  • Dates:
    • 13-16 July 2026
    • January 2027
    • July 2027
  • £2,200 ex VAT (note, the price does not include accommodation or transport to the course venue)
  • Limited to ten participants
  • Internet access required for eLearning
  • Approved by The Royal Society of Biology
  • 135 CPD points
  • Limited to ten participants

Course description

The Biorisk Advisor Training explores the key topics of biorisk management. Hence, it provides fundamental knowledge for those involved in the management, control or containment of biorisk. 

Each topic is delivered as either eLearning or instructor-led in-person training. The in-person part of the course will take place at The Pirbright Institute (Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, GU24 0NF, UK) over a period of 4 consecutive days. The eLearning modules will be made available four weeks before and four weeks after the in-person part of the course, and will take approximately 2.5 days to complete.

eLearning modules (two and a half days):

  • Biorisk management, including:
    • Principles of biorisk management
    • Engagement and impact
    • Monitoring
    • Ethics and sustainability
  • Genetic modification, including:
    • Principles of genetic modification
    • Legal framework
  • Competence and training
  • Waste management
  • Principles of transport of infectious substances

In-person modules (four days):

  • Risk assessment
  • Biological hazards
  • Personal protective equipment
  • Containment and control
  • Genetic modification, including:
    • Legal framework
    • Risk assessment
  • Incident management

Facility tours

The in-person part of this course includes tours of low- and high-containment laboratories within operational state-of-the-art facilities, including: 

Facilitators

The Biorisk Advisor Training has been developed by Pirbright Training, which is the external training team of The Pirbright Institute. All contents have been prepared in collaboration with subject matter experts at The Pirbright Institute, ensuring that all information is factually-correct.

The course will be facilitated by subject matter experts working at The Pirbright Institute, including members of:

  • The Pirbright Training team
  • The Health, Safety & Biosafety (HSBS) team
  • The in-house engineering department

Assessment and certificate

Each eLearning module will include quizzes comprised of 6-12 questions in total per module. The pass mark is 70%. The in-person part of the course will be followed by an in-person open-book exam comprised of multiple-choice and open questions. The pass mark is 70%. Upon successful completion you will receive a certificate of completion.

Please note that the knowledge of specific legislation (national or international) is not part of the learning objectives and will not be tested during the assessment. 

Next steps

Contact Pirbright Training to enrol, or for further information (e.g. specific learning objectives).

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