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 Editor in the Life Sciences and may use the initials ELS after their names.
[7] BELS was founded in 1991[1] and offers certification examinations several times each year at various locations across the United States and in other countries.
[6] In 2020, the Board of Editors in the Life Sciences also began offering the examination via Prometric, a global testing service provider.
[10] 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 sciences.
[1][6][10][12] 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.
[6] A person whose portfolio passes detailed review and evaluation is deemed a Diplomate Editor in the Life Sciences, ELS(D).