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sciences. Registration for the certification exam requires candidates to submit a resume, an application fee, and three letters of reference from professionals who can attest to the candidate's experience as manuscript editor. Most applicants hold degrees in physical or life sciences, English, or journalism. The 3-hour exam consists of 105 multiple-choice questions. Daily work as an editor is the best preparation for the exam, but BELS also offers a Study Guide that gives a list of references that might be helpful.
116:, a global testing service provider. The exam is available quarterly each year, with the option to test at a Prometric site or via remote assessment. Once certified and as a member in good standing, BELS members can access other members' contact information, job openings, and links to similar editorial associations through the BELS website. All organizational functions of BELS are performed by volunteers among its members.
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The first BELS exam conducted in
Australia was held in 2001; 3 of 5 candidates passed. By 2005, the BELS membership included 13 Australians. In November 2008, BELS offered two exams in India. All applicants held degrees in science, and about two-thirds passed the exam, a pass rate similar to that in
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The concept of BELS was formulated in the early 1980s, and the organization was founded on
January 23, 1991, in Maryland. Charter members were Martha Brookes, Gillian Brown, Gil Croome, Susan Eastwood, Norman Grossblatt, Carol Kakalec Kohn, Walter Pagel, Frances Porcher, Barbara Reitt, and Martha
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ELS-certified editors may apply for diplomate status, ELS(D), by submitting a portfolio of edited material and documenting at least 6 years of experience as a manuscript editor in the life sciences. A person whose portfolio passes detailed review and evaluation is deemed a
Diplomate Editor in the
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A total of 33 editors were certified in the life sciences in 1991, the first year in which the organization offered the exam. By April 2001, BELS had more than 300 members, and a total of 51 scheduled exams had been held. By July 2006, BELS membership had reached 550, and by 2007, the number of
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Those wishing to attain the BELS certification (ELS) credential are required to pass a certification examination. To be eligible to sit for the exam, applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) and must have at least 2 years of experience as a manuscript editor in the life
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BELS was founded in 1991 and offers certification examinations several times each year at various locations across the United States and in other countries. In 2020, the Board of
Editors in the Life Sciences also began offering the examination via
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The first BELS exam was held on May 4, 1991, in Denver, CO. Twenty-three candidates attempted certification and 14 passed the exam. In 1992, BELS hosted its first annual meeting in
Pittsburgh, PA, which a majority of the membership attended.
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credential had increased to almost 700. By 2011, there were about 1,000 BELS-certified editors worldwide. As of July 2022, more than 1,600 BELS-certified editors can be found in the U.S. and 36 other countries.
88:) is a professional organization that awards credentials to exemplary manuscript editors in the life sciences (e.g., medicine, biology, agriculture). Here, the term "manuscript editor" refers to both
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100:). Individuals who demonstrate excellence in editing and an understanding of the ethical principles of publishing—both of which are assessed through a certification exam—are awarded the title
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Melcher, T.M. (2011). The Board of
Editors in the Life Sciences Certification: An interview with BELS president Susan E. Aiello. Science Editor, 34(4), e13. Retrieved from
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BELS grants the title of
Honored Editor in the Life Sciences, ELS(H), to distinguished editors of its choosing. Those with this status may use the credential ELS(H).
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Salisbury, J. (2005). Board of
Editors in the Life Sciences (BELS): First notice of BELS exam to be held in Melbourne in October 2005. The Fine Print, 1, x-xi.
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Berman, S.K., & Aiello, S. (2007). Professional organization profile: Board of
Editors in the Life Sciences (BELS). AMWA Journal, 22(4), 192-193.
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International
Academy of Nursing Editors (INANE). (2011). Professional organizations: Board of Editors in the Life Sciences (BELS). Retrieved from
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after their names. BELS also allows use of its electronic badge by BELS-certified editors (those who have passed its certification examinations).
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Day, R.A., & Gastel, B. (2006). How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper (6th ed.). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
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Phillips, K.F. (1993). The BELS program: Certification for manuscript editors in the life sciences. AMWA Journal, 8(2), 56-58.
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Appiah, B. (2009). Science editing at an Indian firm: Perspectives of two U.S. visitors. Science Editor, 32(4), 118-119.
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Moore, M. (2006). Teaming up with a medical writer: Tips for finding well-qualified candidates. Retrieved from
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Grossblatt, N., & Reitt, B.B. (2001). BELS: The first 10 years. Science Editor, 24(20), 39-42.
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Wang, L. (2001). Net results: Help by association. Science Editor, 24(1), 12-13.
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Pownall, M. (2008). Member musings: Out of focus. AMWA Journal, 23(3), 151.
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TC Library. (2011). Board of Editors in the Life Sciences. Retrieved from
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Pike, R. (2005). On becoming a certified editor. The Fine Print, 2, 26-28.
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235:References
114:Prometric
61:President
22:Formation
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328:cite web
193:See also
156:Tacker.
46:Location
151:History
70:Website
313:(PDF)
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86:BELS
80:The
30:Type
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