{"id":515,"date":"2025-06-18T17:52:16","date_gmt":"2025-06-18T21:52:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/research\/?page_id=515"},"modified":"2026-01-08T10:13:26","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T15:13:26","slug":"training","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/research\/ethics-compliance\/safety\/biological-safety\/ibc\/training\/","title":{"rendered":"IBC Training and Other Requirements"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Training is a critical component of any integrated biological safety program. Training is intended to provide the understanding, technical knowledge, and tools that the trainee can use to improve his or her daily laboratory safety practices. Biosafety training is required for all laboratory workers (faculty, staff, students, and visiting scientists) at BU and BMC in addition to other requirements such as medical health clearances. The exact training and health clearance requirements for a particular person will depend on the hazards to which they are exposed.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"ibc-training-and-medical-clearance-requirements-policy\">IBC Training and Medical Clearance Requirements Policy<\/h2>\n<p>The purpose of this policy is to set forth the training and health clearance requirements for individuals listed on active IBC protocols who will be handling recombinant and synthetic nucleic acid molecules; synthetic nucleic acid molecules, including those that are chemically or otherwise; cells, organisms and viruses containing such molecules; and biohazardous materials.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/research\/ethics-compliance\/safety\/biological-safety\/ibc\/training\/ibc-training-and-health-clearance-requirements\/\" class=\"button button-base\">View Policy<\/a>\n<h2 id=\"medical-clearances\">Medical Clearances<\/h2>\n<p>All members listed in an IBC protocol must also secure medical clearance through the Research Occupational Health Program (ROHP) office before engaging in any protocol related activities. Please visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/research\/ethics-compliance\/safety\/rohp\/rohp-requirements-for-medical-clearance-process\/\">ROHP website<\/a> to learn how to apply for this clearance and what medical information you have to provide. Prior to applying for this clearance, please make sure to discuss with your supervisor what biological materials you will be working with.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mandatory-ibc-training\">Mandatory IBC Training<\/h2>\n<p>The following trainings must be completed for all members of an IBC protocol&nbsp;by logging into <a href=\"https:\/\/bu.scishield.com\/\">SciSure (formerly SciShield)<\/a> website:<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"laboratory-safety-training-lst\">Laboratory Safety Training (LST)<\/h3>\n<h3 id=\"biosafety-level-1-2-training\">Biosafety Level 1 &amp; 2 Training<\/h3>\n<h3 id=\"chemical-safety-training\">Chemical Safety Training<\/h3>\n<h3 id=\"introduction-to-the-ibc-regulations-and-policies\">Introduction to the IBC: Regulations and Policies<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Required for all PIs irrespective of any rDNA work or wok with biohazardous materials in the protocol;<\/li>\n<li>Required for all members of the protocol when it involves rDNA work or work with biohazardous materials.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"laboratory-specific-training\">Laboratory-specific training<\/h2>\n<h3 id=\"agent-specific-training\">Agent-Specific Training<\/h3>\n<p>For researchers at both BUMC &amp; CRC working with hazardous biological agents the principal investigator (PI) is responsible for either conducting or ensuring these agent-specific trainings are provided to members of their laboratory prior to an individual beginning work with hazardous biological agents. If the PI is unable to conduct the training, the ROHP may be requested to provide this training. The PI or the Lab Manager must maintain an updated agent-specific trainings and make it available for laboratory inspection. Topics covered by this training are subject to Institutional Biosafety Committee requirements.<\/p>\n<p>A large number of agent-specific trainings are available in <a href=\"https:\/\/bu.scishield.com\/\">SciSure<\/a>.<br \/>\n<em>As of February 2025, following agent-specific trainings are available:<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Arenaviruses, Bunyaviruses, and Paramyxoviruses<\/li>\n<li>BSL-2 Flavivirus: West Nile Virus, Zika Virus, and Dengue Virus<\/li>\n<li>BSL-3 Flavivirus: Powassan virus and Yellow Fever Virus<\/li>\n<li>Chikungunya Virus<\/li>\n<li>Chlamydia trachomatis<\/li>\n<li>Coronaviruses<\/li>\n<li>Eastern Equine Encephalitis<\/li>\n<li>Ebola and Marburg Virus<\/li>\n<li>Francisella tularensis<\/li>\n<li>HIV<\/li>\n<li>Japanese Encephalitis Virus<\/li>\n<li>Myobacterium tuberculosis<\/li>\n<li>Neisseria gonorrhoeae<\/li>\n<li>Orthopoxviruses<\/li>\n<li>Polio, Coxsackie, EV-D68, EV-D70, and EV-A71<\/li>\n<li>Pseudomonas aeruginosa<\/li>\n<li>Salmonella typhimurium<\/li>\n<li>Yersinia pestis<\/li>\n<li>Select Agent Training<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"biosafety-level-3-training\">Biosafety Level-3 Training<\/h3>\n<p><em>For researchers working in Biosafety Level 3 laboratories.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>This training must be completed in <a href=\"https:\/\/bu.scishield.com\/\">SciSure<\/a> by all personnel (faculty, staff, animal technicians, students, trainees, visitors) who will work with BSL-3 agents. Topics that will be addressed include operations, required PPE, procedures, emergency management, and other required information.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"select-agent-training\">Select Agent Training<\/h3>\n<p><em>For researchers who are working with biological select agents or toxins, as required by the BU Select Agent program.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>This training must be completed in <a href=\"https:\/\/bu.scishield.com\/\">SciSure<\/a> by all personnel (faculty, staff, animal technicians, students, trainees, visitors) prior to receiving privileges to order, store, or use select agents. The training will cover topics including information on the hazards of specific select agents and the rules and regulations governing the use of these agents.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"other-potential-requirements-when-working-with-biohazardous-materials\">Other potential requirements when working with biohazardous materials<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Requirements for Summer Student Researchers<\/strong>&#8211; University Policy requires that all individuals working in laboratory research, including summer research students, complete and have an up-to-date training, medical clearance, be added to IBC or IACUC protocols if applicable, as well as follow other institutional procedures and policies related to safety in the laboratory.<\/p>\n<p>For further information on requirements for summer student research, please see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/research\/files\/2025\/04\/Notice-of-Requirements-for-Summer-Student-Researchers-updated-2025.pdf\">this notice<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Shipping Training<\/strong>&#8211; when a protocol involves shipping or receiving biologically hazardous materials<\/p>\n<p><strong>Select Agent Training<\/strong>-when protocol involves work with any CDC\/HHS select agents<\/p>\n<p><strong>BSL3 Training<\/strong> -for all members listed in a BSL3 protocol<br \/>\n<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>NOTE:<\/strong> All above trainings can be completed by logging into <a href=\"https:\/\/bu.scishield.com\/\">SciSure<\/a> website.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"completing-the-ibc-training-requirements\">Completing the IBC Training Requirements<\/h2>\n<h3 id=\"accessing-and-completing-ibc-training\">Accessing and completing IBC training<\/h3>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Step 1: Access and Registration<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\">Anyone with BU credentials (Username and Kerberos password) can register for SciShield training modules<br \/>\nGo to the <a href=\"https:\/\/bu.scishield.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SciShield<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/research\/files\/2019\/09\/IBC-Training-6-636x432.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"636\" height=\"432\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-19449\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Step 2: Available Trainings<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\">Once you are logged in SciShield, all available Training courses can be found out by clicking the Training link (see below):<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/research\/files\/2019\/09\/IBC-Training-fig-1-636x427.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"636\" height=\"427\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-19365\"><\/p>\n<p>Course Directory sublink will then display all the available courses.<\/p>\n<p>If you would prefer to take the course in person, classroom training sign up link will also be visible from the same course list.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Step 3: Course Information<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>To get more information on a particular course, click the name of the course as shown below:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/research\/files\/2019\/09\/IBC-Training-fig-2-636x477.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"636\" height=\"477\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-19366\"><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Step 4: Taking the Course<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>To take a particular training, launch the training by clicking the link to the right of the name of the course as circled above. A new window will open up as displayed below. Follow on screen directions to take the course.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/research\/files\/2019\/09\/IBC-Training-fig-3-636x611.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"636\" height=\"611\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-19367\"><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Step 5: Quiz<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>To complete the course you must also take the quiz as indicated on the bottom of the start page of the course. An example of such note is shown in the screenshot below. You must get a score greater than 80% or as specified for that particular test to successfully complete the quiz.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/research\/files\/2019\/09\/IBC-Training-fig-4-626x636.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"626\" height=\"636\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-19368\"><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Step 6: Training Modules Requirement<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"which-lab-safety-training-modules-apply-to-me\">\n    Which Lab Safety Training Modules apply to me?<\/h3>\n<h4>\n    Required for all IBC protocols<\/h4>\n<p>Laboratory Safety Training: The Lab Safety Training is required for all members of laboratories and covers basic lab safety, including but not limited to fire safety, emergency evacuation, safety equipment, and hazard communication.<\/p>\n<p>Biosafety Level 1 and 2 Training: Defines basic principles and safe practices to ensure labs work safely at biosafety levels 1 and 2.<\/p>\n<h4>\n    Required for IBC protocols involving Hazardous Chemicals<\/h4>\n<p>Chemical Safety Training: Provides important information to ensure labs using hazardous chemicals can do so safely and in compliance with all regulations.<\/p>\n<h4>\n    Required for IBC protocols using Human Materials<\/h4>\n<p>Bloodborne Pathogen Training: Raises awareness of blood borne pathogens, the BBP regulation, and exposure control in the work place.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"do-i-need-to-complete-any-other-training-to-be-compliant-with-the-ibc\">\n    Do I need to complete any other training to be compliant with the IBC?<\/h3>\n<p>Depending on the research project you will be working on and your exposure to various risk group agents or laboratory set-up, you may need to take additional training as defined by the IBC (which may include rDNA\/IBC policy training, various agent-specific training, BSL-3 training, BSL-4 training and others).<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p><strong>PLEASE NOTE<\/strong>: The IBC may require additional trainings be completed as deemed appropriate.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Training is a critical component of any integrated biological safety program. Training is intended to provide the understanding, technical knowledge, and tools that the trainee can use to improve his or her daily laboratory safety practices. Biosafety training is required for all laboratory workers (faculty, staff, students, and visiting scientists) at BU and BMC in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3324,"featured_media":0,"parent":1130,"menu_order":6,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/chapter-navigation.php","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/515"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3324"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=515"}],"version-history":[{"count":53,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/515\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":61060,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/515\/revisions\/61060"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1130"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=515"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}