Apply for this licence
How much it costs
There are no fees payable to the Food Standards Agency.
What you’ll need to apply
You must possess one of these qualifications:
- a first-class degree (with honours) in microbiology
- a degree of Master of Science
- a Mastership in Chemical Analysis (MChemA) awarded by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
- a Fellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (IBMS) gained after passing the Higher Specialist Diploma examination in medical microbiology set by the IBMS
- fellowship or Membership of the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST)
Candidates must also have carried out examination of food for at least 3 years in an appropriate laboratory as listed Schedule 2 of Food Safety (Sampling and Qualifications) Regulations 2013. Time spent in a laboratory as an undergraduate does not count towards this requirement.