Biosafety and Biosecurity (BSS) Fundamentals

Build essential biosafety and biosecurity knowledge with this series, which covers core principles, regulatory frameworks, and laboratory practices.


About these Courses

The Biosafety and Biosecurity (BSS) Fundamentals series provides a comprehensive introduction to essential principles, practices, and regulatory responsibilities tailored for both research-oriented and routine biological laboratory environments.

This series is designed to provide a well-rounded foundation in biosafety concepts, emergency response procedures, personal protective equipment, dual-use research of concern, gene transfer, NIH recombinant DNA guidelines, incident response, and select agent regulations. Through engaging, expert-developed modules, the series equips researchers, staff, committee members, and other personnel with the knowledge needed to mitigate risks, maintain compliance, and uphold the highest standards of laboratory safety and biosecurity.

Organizational Subscription Price: Available as part of an organizational subscription package or for $675 per year/per site as a subscription add-on for government and non-profit organizations; $750 per year/per site as a subscription add-on for for-profit organizations.

Language Availability: English

Suggested Audiences: Anyone Working in Laboratories Handling Biohazards, IBC Chairs, IBC Members, Individuals Serving in Biosafety Offices, Other Professionals, Persons Serving on Biosafety Committees


Basic Courses

Basic Introduction to Biosafety

This course offers an introduction to biosafety for researchers.

sign with biohazard symbol
Initial Biosafety Training
CME/CEU

This course offers initial training for researchers handling biohazards in a research or clinical laboratory.

medical waste container for biohazards
Biosafety Retraining

This course offers retraining for researchers handling biohazards in a research or clinical laboratory.

medical waste container for biohazards
OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens

This course provides training that meets OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard.

centrifuge for blood samples
Select Agents, Biosecurity, and Bioterrorism

This course provides training on select agent regulations.

microscope view of Ebola virus
Emergency and Incident Response to Biohazard Spills and Releases

This course offers training on biohazard emergency response.

Biosafety and Biosecurity (BSS) Fundamentals
NIH Recombinant DNA Guidelines

This course offers training on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant and Synthe...

futuristic recombinant DNA strand
Personal Protective Equipment

This course provides training on OSHA personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements.

hands putting on disposable gloves for protection
Human Gene Transfer

This course offers training on National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) requirements for...

people standing in shape of dna strands
Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC)

This course provides training on the U.S. Government Policy for Institutional Oversight of Life Sciences Dual Use Research of C...

microscope view of bacteria
Institutional Biosafety Committee Member Training

This course offers basic training for Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) members.

Biosafety and Biosecurity (BSS) Fundamentals
Hazard Communication

This module provides an overview of the Hazard Communication Standard, which gives personnel the “right-to-know” about chemicals used, stored, or handled in their workplaces.

label with hazard symbols


FAQs

What is the BSS Fundamentals series?

The BSS Fundamentals series is a curated collection of courses designed to introduce and reinforce core concepts, responsibilities, and best practices essential for biological research, clinical laboratories, and teaching laboratory operations.

Who should take this series?

This series is ideal for researchers, laboratory staff, students, biosafety professionals, Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) members, and anyone who works with or supports biological materials in research, clinical, or teaching environments.

What topics are covered in this series?

The series includes training on basic biosafety principles, emergency and incident response, personal protective equipment, NIH recombinant DNA guidelines, dual-use research of concern, human gene transfer, IBC responsibilities, select agent regulations, hazard communication, OSHA bloodborne pathogens, and related foundational topics.

How does this series differ from the BSS Advanced series?

The BSS Fundamentals series focuses on introductory and core training content, while our BSS Advanced series offers more specialized and advanced biosafety and biosecurity training.

Can organizations assign the entire series or select individual courses?

Organizations may assign the complete series for comprehensive training or choose specific courses to meet role-based or regulatory requirements.

Does this series provide training on federal regulations?

There are courses in the series that address the NIH Guidelines as well as federal OSHA regulatory compliance.

How long does it take to complete each course?

Completion time varies by course, and each module is self-paced. Learners should complete a course in multiple sittings based on their schedules.

 

Will learners receive a completion certificate?

Learners receive individual completion reports and certificates for each course completed.

Are there prerequisites for this series?

No prerequisites are required. The content is designed to support both new learners and individuals seeking refresher or retraining opportunities.

Can the courses be used for refresher?

Absolutely. Several courses within the series—such as biosafety retraining and emergency response—are well-suited for periodic refresher training or ongoing competency development.