Standards

Eligibility & Assessment Criteria

• A Bachelor's degree (BSc) or higher in biomedical science, reproductive biology, biochemistry, cell biology, or a closely related life science discipline from a recognised university or higher education institution
• A postgraduate qualification, diploma, or specialist certification in clinical embryology, reproductive science, or assisted reproductive technologies (ART) from a recognised institution or professional body — such as the Association of Clinical Embryologists (ACE), ESHRE, HCPC, or an equivalent national regulatory or professional authority
• A minimum of 3 years of verifiable, full-time (or equivalent part-time) hands-on clinical embryology practice within a licensed, regulated ART laboratory, accrued following the completion of formal embryology training or postgraduate qualification
• Documented and verifiable competence in the full range of core ART laboratory procedures, including: oocyte retrieval assistance and denudation; sperm preparation and selection (density gradient, swim-up); conventional IVF insemination; intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI); fertilisation assessment; embryo culture, morphological monitoring, and grading; and embryo transfer preparation and loading
• Demonstrated proficiency in cryopreservation and cryobiology, including vitrification and slow-cooling protocols for oocytes, cleavage-stage embryos, and blastocysts; sperm cryopreservation and thawing; and the warming and survival assessment of cryopreserved material in accordance with current best-practice protocols
• Competence in embryo morphological assessment and developmental grading using internationally recognised scoring systems — including the Istanbul consensus criteria, Gardner blastocyst grading, and equivalent frameworks — with working familiarity with time-lapse embryo monitoring and morphokinetic data interpretation where available in the applicant's laboratory setting
• Knowledge of and, where applicable, practical experience with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-A, PGT-M, and PGT-SR) — including trophectoderm biopsy technique, embryo biopsy safety protocols, sample handling, and coordination with accredited genetic reference laboratories
• Demonstrated understanding and practical application of ART laboratory quality management systems, including the design and monitoring of internal quality control (IQC) programmes, participation in external quality assurance (EQA) schemes, tracking of key performance indicators (KPIs) such as fertilisation rate, blastulation rate, and clinical pregnancy rate, and familiarity with laboratory accreditation standards (e.g. ISO 15189, JACIE, or equivalent)
• Evidence of active and ongoing continuing professional development (CPD) in clinical embryology and reproductive science — including attendance at specialist scientific conferences (e.g. ESHRE Annual Meeting, ASRM Congress, British Fertility Society), advanced laboratory skills workshops, webinars, or peer-reviewed publication activity in reproductive medicine or embryology
• A minimum of two professional references from senior clinical embryologists, ART laboratory directors, or reproductive medicine consultants who can attest to the applicant's technical competence, professional conduct, laboratory standards, and commitment to patient-centred quality care
• Demonstrated commitment to ethical practice in clinical embryology, including strict adherence to embryo storage, disposition, and consent policies; compliance with donor gamete and surrogacy regulations; maintenance of patient confidentiality and data protection obligations; and upholding the welfare of the child principle in all laboratory decision-making
• Full compliance with applicable national and international regulatory frameworks governing licensed ART laboratories — including those issued by ESHRE, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), or the relevant national licensing and competent authority in the applicant's country of practice — and evidence of working within a regulated, inspected clinical environment