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 in 17 U.S. states.
Free Practice Tests & Papers
7 availableExam 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 MCQ
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
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
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. The BACE is formally adopted as an Industry-Recognised Credential in 17 U.S. states and is supported by national organisations including InnovATEBIO, NIIMBL, and BioFlorida. Over 84 biotechnology companies nationwide have hired BACE credential holders.
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.
