By Lori Gillen
Tufts University Medical School is a host of one of the 2003 Board of Editors in the Life Sciences (BELS) certification examinations. This exam will take place on Saturday, October 18, from 1-4 pm. The location provides a great opportunity for editing professionals from the area to obtain their certification.
BELS was founded in 1991 to evaluate the proficiency of manuscript editors in the life sciences and to award credentials in scientific editing and publishing that are similar to those attainable in other professions. This certification is highly regarded by employers and clients who hire manuscript editors.
BELS was founded by 10 editors who had long been active in national and international professional associations in scientific editing and publishing. They began working on the development of the certification program in the early 1980s. They were assisted by consultants in testing and by administrators of certification programs in other professions. BELS was incorporated in Maryland on January 23, 1991, and the first official certification examinations were offered that year. BELS now has hundreds of members in the United States, Canada, and other countries.
You can obtain more information about the certification process and the examination by visiting the BELS Web site (www.bels.org) or by contacting Leslie Neistadt, BELS Registrar, at 706-494-3322 or at neistadt@hughston.com.
Lori Gillen is a technical writer at McKesson Health Solutions, in Newton, a senior STC member, and the leader for Boston's Special Needs/Accessibility SIG.