BACE: Biotechnology Skills (Practical)
2025
Biotechnology Certification
Biotechnology Aptitude and Competency Exam
The BACE is a nationally recognised industry credential administered by Biotility at the University of Florida that validates the core theoretical knowledge and practical lab competencies of entry-level biotechnology technicians. It covers eight categories across a Knowledge and Practical portion, is developed to ISO/IEC 17024 standards, and is formally adopted as a state-recognised credential in 20 states and Washington D.C. — with active use, short of formal adoption, in 17 additional states. The credential is valid for five years from the date of passing.
116 (175 points)Questions
4 HoursDuration
80% OverallPassing Score
Knowledge & PracticalExam Type
Up to 3Attempts
5 YearsCredential Validity
Free Practice Tests & Papers
7 availableImportant Dates
- AY 2025-2026 First-Attempt Testing Window
- AY 2025-2026 Retake Order Deadline
- AY 2025-2026 Retake Testing Window Closes (Cycle Fully Closed)
- AY 2026-2027 Exam Site Registration Opens (Confirmed)
- AY 2026-2027 Updated Candidate Information Bulletin & Exam Specifications Published
- Remote Testing Option (Individual/ProctorU)
- Paper Option Retired
Exam Details & Pattern
Eligibility Criteria
- No formal prerequisites mandated — open to high school students, community college students, and university-level candidates
- Completion of or enrolment in a biotechnology, biology, chemistry, or allied science certificate/degree programme is strongly recommended
- A foundational lab background — experience with micropipettes, compound microscope, spectrophotometer, and gel electrophoresis — is advised before attempting
- Early-career lab professionals seeking to validate entry-level biotechnology competencies are also eligible
- Registration is via an authorised Exam Site (school or college) or individually through the UF Continuing Education portal for the Remote Testing Option
Marking Scheme & Pattern
Total Questions116 (64 Knowledge Portion + 52 Practical Portion)
Total Points175
Question FormatScenario-based, single-best-answer, and matching MCQ items
Portions2 — Knowledge Portion and Practical Portion, completed in one continuous session
Duration4 hours
Passing Score80% overall (average of highest Knowledge and Practical scores)
Negative MarkingNone
Credential Validity5 years from the date of passing
Syllabus Overview
Biotechnology Skills
- Accurate pipetting technique
- buffer and reagent preparation
- aseptic transfers
- biological safety cabinet and autoclave use
- sterile technique
- lab documentation (SOPs
- batch records
- lab notebooks)
Technical Skills & Applications
- Aseptic technique
- cell culture and subculturing
- DNA extraction
- PCR and gel electrophoresis
- protein isolation and quantification (SDS-PAGE
- Bradford assay)
- microscopy
- bioprocessing and fermentation fundamentals
Safety & Workplace Culture
- OSHA standards
- SDS interpretation
- PPE selection and use
- biosafety levels (BSL-1 through BSL-4)
- biohazard and chemical waste disposal
- emergency procedures
- professional conduct and bioethics
Applied Mathematics
- Serial dilutions
- molarity and C1V1=C2V2 calculations
- percent concentration (w/v
- v/v
- w/w)
- metric/SI unit conversions
- scientific notation
- significant figures
- basic data interpretation
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
- Cell structure (prokaryotic vs eukaryotic)
- DNA structure and replication
- transcription and translation
- enzyme kinetics
- macromolecule function (proteins
- lipids
- carbohydrates
- nucleic acids)
- recombinant DNA basics
Regulation & Quality
- Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP)
- Good Laboratory Practices (GLP)
- SOPs and batch records
- Quality Assurance vs Quality Control
- FDA/EPA/USDA regulatory roles
- data integrity and deviation reporting
Standard Equipment
- Micropipettes (P20
- P200
- P1000)
- spectrophotometry and Beer-Lambert Law
- centrifugation (RPM vs RCF)
- PCR thermal cycler operation
- gel electrophoresis setup
- pH meters and balances
- microscope operation
Experimental Design & Data Analysis
- Controls (positive
- negative)
- independent and dependent variables
- replication
- hypothesis formation
- data recording and graphing
- identifying sources of error
- basic statistical interpretation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BACE exam pass rate?
Biotility does not publish an official national pass rate for the BACE, though some school districts have reported local averages around 63%. BACE requires an 80% passing score.
Who should take the BACE exam?
The BACE is designed for anyone entering the biotechnology workforce at the technician level — high school students in CTE or biomedical science programmes, community college students in biotech or life sciences, career changers with adjacent lab experience, and undergraduates seeking a verified credential. No specific degree is required.
How many questions are on the BACE and what is the passing score?
The BACE has 116 total questions worth 175 points, split across a Knowledge Portion (64 questions) and a Practical Portion (52 questions). To pass, candidates must score 80% or higher overall — calculated as the average of the highest Knowledge score and highest Practical score across attempts.
Is the BACE accepted nationally across the USA?
Yes. As of September 2026, the BACE is formally adopted as a state-recognised Industry-Recognized Credential in 20 states and Washington D.C. (Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Alabama, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, D.C., South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida), and it's also in active use — without formal state adoption — in 17 more states, including California, New York, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. That's 37 states plus D.C. in total. It's supported by national organisations including InnovATEBIO, NIIMBL, and BioFlorida, and recognized by 85+ biotechnology companies nationwide.
Can I take the BACE remotely?
Yes. Candidates not affiliated with a registered Exam Site can register individually through UF Continuing Education and sit the exam remotely from home, monitored in real time by ProctorU. As of AY 2025–2026, the exam is exclusively computer-based — the paper option has been retired. Remote registration is self-paced and available year-round, unlike Exam Site testing, which follows an academic-year calendar.
How much does the BACE exam cost?
$185 per candidate at an Exam Site (school/college), or $200 for the Remote Testing Option via ProctorU. Both fees include the first attempt plus one free second attempt; a third attempt costs an additional $50 for Remote candidates. Both routes also include free access to Biotility's BACE Practice Exam Course.
How long is the BACE credential valid?
Five years from the date you pass. To keep the credential current, candidates must retake and pass the BACE exam again before the five-year mark. The credential is issued and verified through Accredible.
