Certification FAQ

Would you like to contribute to the success of BELS and be an integral part of shaping its future?

It’s time to rejoin or renew your BELS membership for 2021! Stay connected with editing colleagues from around the world and enjoy benefits such as:

BELS Members,

Did you know that BELS is more than just a certifying body? We are also a membership association. For a nominal fee of $45 per year, you can become a member of BELS: your professional association supporting the role and value of certified editors in the life sciences field.

BELS Certified Editors,

BELS will have a booth at the 2019 AMWA Medical Writing & Communication Conference, held this November in San Diego. We are looking for members who are already planning to attend the meeting and would be willing to volunteer at the booth. This is a great opportunity to network with fellow editors and share your knowledge of BELS!

We're seeking 2 proctors for the AMWA exam on November 6, 2019, from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon, at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina.

2019 BELS Member Breakfast at AMWA

Please join us at the BELS Member Breakfast for updates on what’s new and exciting within the Board of Editors in the Life Sciences! If you are attending AMWA, please make time for the BELS breakfast on Saturday, November 9th from 6:30am to 8:30am. We will be dining in the Harbor’s Edge Private Dining Room, located at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina.

The BELS Logo Has Been Edited!

As editors, there's nothing we like more than making something look its best while still portraying its meaning clearly and concisely.  So we have revamped our logo to do just that!  Now, when anyone looks at the BELS logo, it is apparent who makes up BELS – expert editors in the life sciences.  Look for the new BELS logo across our website, social media, and other marketing materials.

Effective February 1, 2019, several changes have been implemented to the BELS Diplomate Program:

In early March, we held our annual business meeting—this year via webinar. Thank you to all the BELS members who listened in and our Executive Council members who shared the work of their committees on the call. For those of you who missed it, you’re in luck: we’ve posted the recording for your listening pleasure (member log-in required).

Get ready for another perk of being a BELS Member: our members-only Email Discussion List!

The Executive Council has announced a scheduled exam fee increase.

The BELS 25th Anniversary Dinner was on Thursday, October 6, 2016 in Denver, Colorado.