Program Overview

Home Office Licensee Training Course Wildlife

The University of Edinburgh is a provider of SAB-accredited Home Office licensee courses, including a PIL A/B course for those undertaking regulated research with small wild mammals in the field and in captivity.

Course Details

This PIL A/B course (modules 3-7, 20) is intended for those working with small wild mammals in the field or in captivity under ASPA. Species include bats, insectivores, wild rodents, squirrels, hedgehogs, lagomorphs, and Mustelids (excluding otters).

• Course month: March, June, September-October
• Course dates:
  • March: 17/03/25 - 27/03/25
  • June: 16/06/25 - 26/06/25
  • September-October: 29/09/25 - 09/10/25
• Course format: Online, running over a 2-week period, three times a year

Course Content

The course covers:

• Ethics (E1) and national legislation (L)
• PIL A/B Theory, covering six species-specific modules:
  • Module 3 (basic biology)
  • Module 4 (animal care, health, and management)
  • Module 5 (recognition of pain, suffering, and distress)
  • Module 6 (humane methods of killing)
  • Module 7 (minimally invasive procedures without anesthesia)
  • Module 20 (analgesia and anesthesia for minor procedures under 15 minutes)
• PIL A/B Skills, Module 3.2 (basic species biology) and Module 8 (minimally invasive procedures without anesthesia)

Skills Assessment

The practical skills assessment is done at the candidate's own institute, as described below.

• Module 3.2: basic species biology
• Module 8: minimally invasive procedures without anesthesia This practical element will be delivered and assessed by a competent trainer nominated by the applicant's Named Training Competency Officer (NTCO).

Certification

On completion of PIL A/B theory and skills within the required time frames, a certificate will be issued by the Scottish Accreditation Board (SAB). This certificate is used to apply for a PIL at the Home Office.

Registration

For further information on this course, please register your interest.