The Biotechnician Assistant Credentialing Exam (BACE) is an industry-recognized exam designed to assess core skills and knowledge sets identified by industry, and represented within the academic and performance standards of biotechnology programs. The exam was originally vetted by the state of Florida’s industry organization, BioFlorida, which represents more than 3,000 companies and research organizations in the biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and bioagriculture sectors. Since its creation, the BACE has been assessed by national and international companies as other states continue to adopt the exam. The BACE is currently administered at 150+ locations throughout the United States and has been formally recognized as an Industry-Recognized Credential (IRC) in 14 states.
The Biotechnician Assistant Credentialing Exam (BACE) is open to all applicants and no prerequisites are required. It includes both a written examination (Knowledge Exam) and a practical skills evaluation (Practical Exam). Both assessments are closed book. There are two Exam Administration Options: Paper & Pencil Administration and Computer-Based Administration.
Paper and Pencil Testing
Candidates test on site with a live proctor. The Knowledge Exam is taken in a standard classroom, and the Practical Exam is taken in a science lab under the observation of an approved Skills Evaluator.
Computer-Based Testing
Candidates test on site with a live proctor. Both the Knowledge and Practical portions are taken in a computer lab or a standard classroom using the candidates’ personal computers.
The BACE consists of nine categories. Please visit the Exam Specifications page to see detailed information regarding the exam portions, duration, number of questions per portion, subjects covered, and number of questions per subject. Candidates must score 80% or above to pass the BACE. A candidate’s score is determined by averaging the highest grade of the Knowledge Exam and the highest grade of the Practical Exam. Candidates are permitted to take the exam a maximum of three times within a calendar year, with a 20-day waiting period between attempts.
Upon completion of the Biotechnology Assistant Credentialing Exam, each successful candidate will receive:
- A BACE-credentialed Certificate
- A letter for potential employers explaining the benefits of hiring a BACE-credentialed candidate
- Digital credential that can be verified online by potential employers
