Skip to content
Search icon

Professional Certificate of Melanography

Learn the foundations of primary care skin screening. Designed for Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, and allied health professionals working in specialist skin clinics.

ENROL NOW
Professional Certificate of Melanography

Delivery

Fully online
Learn from
anywhere

Duration

88 hours
Self-paced
Start anytime

Overview

Learn the foundations of primary care melanography, from identifying common types of benign and malignant skin lesions through to best practice approaches for skin cancer screening and reaching a confident diagnosis.

Your education pathway

Professional Certificate

Establish foundational clinical knowledge and essential skills.

You are here

Advanced Certificate

Develop advanced techniques and diagnostic capabilities.

Learn more

Professional Diploma

Master complex cases and achieve high-level clinical proficiency.

Learn more

Learning outcomes

  • Accurately screen and differentiate skin lesions for referral to a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

  • Learn to assess commonly encountered skin malignancies, including melanoma, BCC and SCC.

  • Identify pigmented and non-pigmented skin lesions.

  • Confidently identify benign and malignant non-melanocytic lesions and pink lesions in your patients.

  • Understand the Chaos & Clues method for simple lesion assessment and faster diagnoses.

Course contents

The foundations of skin cancer medicine (Nurses)
Enhance your expertise in skin cancer medicine with our comprehensive course, designed to equip you with essential diagnostic and treatment skills for common skin lesions. Starting with foundational knowledge, you'll learn the BEST protocol for identifying benign and suspicious lesions, supported by clinical images and quizzes. Delve into skin cancer risk assessment and the importance of thorough skin checks, complete with practical video demonstrations. Master biopsy techniques with step-by-step guidance and real patient case studies. Our evidence-based, regularly updated course ensures you stay at the forefront of best practices in skin cancer management. Ideal for building your core knowledge and confidence in patient care.
The Big Three: BCC, SCC and Melanoma

The Big Three – BCC, SCC, and Melanoma" is an in-depth course designed for medical professionals to master the diagnosis, treatment, and management of the three most common types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma. Covering dermoscopic features, biopsy techniques, pathology interpretation, and various treatment modalities, the course integrates real-life cases to enhance learning. Participants will gain the skills necessary to deliver evidence-based, patient-centred care for skin cancer management in diverse clinical settings.

An approach to pigmented skin lesions (Nurses)
Master the diagnosis and treatment of pigmented skin lesions with our comprehensive course on skin cancer medicine. Ideal for building foundational knowledge, you'll learn to identify and manage common lesions with confidence. Unit one covers benign lesions such as freckles, seborrheic keratosis, and blue nevi, with detailed clinical and dermoscopic images to aid analysis. Unit two delves into dermoscopy techniques and the 3-point checklist for identifying suspicious lesions, including dysplastic nevi and melanoma. Supported by real case studies, this evidence-based course ensures you stay updated with best practices in skin cancer management, enhancing your diagnostic and treatment skills.
An approach to non-pigmented skin lesions (Nurses)
Enhance your expertise in skin cancer medicine with our course on non-pigmented skin lesions. Gain essential skills to diagnose and treat common lesions confidently. Begin with an in-depth look at solar keratosis and Bowen's disease, supported by clinical and dermoscopic images. Learn about keratoacanthoma and squamous cell carcinoma, including diagnosis and treatment options such as surgery and radiation therapy. Finally, explore basal cell carcinoma, the most common skin cancer, with detailed images and management strategies. This evidence-based, regularly updated course is ideal for building your core knowledge and providing effective patient care.
Chaos and Clues
The "Chaos and Clues Method" course provides healthcare professionals with an advanced approach to dermoscopy for identifying suspicious skin lesions. This course introduces the Chaos and Clues diagnostic algorithm, a proven method for determining whether skin lesions such as melanomas, basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are benign or require further investigation. Participants will learn to apply this method through practical case studies, detailed image analysis, and expert guidance, improving their ability to make accurate and timely diagnoses in clinical practice.
Benign non-melanocytic lesions
"Benign Non-Melanocytic Lesions" is an essential course for healthcare professionals focusing on the use of dermoscopy to identify and manage common benign skin lesions. This course covers key conditions such as seborrheic keratosis, dermatofibroma, vascular tumors, and sebaceous hyperplasia, highlighting diagnostic patterns, morphological variations, and management principles. Presented by A/Prof Iris Zalaudek, this evidence-based course equips participants with the skills to confidently differentiate benign from malignant lesions in clinical practice.
Malignant non-melanocytic lesions
The "Malignant Non-Melanocytic Lesions" course provides medical professionals with essential skills in diagnosing and managing common skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Utilising dermatoscopy as a diagnostic tool, the course focuses on recognising key patterns and clues in both pigmented and non-pigmented lesions. Participants will enhance their ability to distinguish between benign and malignant lesions, with a focus on keratinocyte cancers, ensuring accurate clinical decisions in dermatology and general practice.
Dermoscopy for pink lesions
Dermoscopy for Pink Lesions is an advanced dermatology course designed to enhance diagnostic accuracy for non-pigmented skin tumours. This comprehensive program focuses on identifying melanocytic and non-melanocytic lesions using dermoscopic vascular patterns, specific arrangements, and clinical clues. Participants will explore a structured four-step approach to analysing pink lesions, supported by practical insights and management rules to avoid missing amelanotic melanoma. This course is ideal for healthcare professionals seeking to refine their dermoscopic skills in assessing challenging skin lesions.
Skin imaging techniques (Nurses)
"Skin Imaging Techniques" is a specialized course designed for healthcare professionals to enhance their understanding of modern skin imaging technologies used for detecting melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The course covers a range of techniques, including digital dermatoscopy, total body photography, reflectance confocal microscopy, and more experimental methods like optical coherence tomography. Participants will gain insights into the clinical applications, evidence, and cost-effectiveness of each technique, empowering them to make informed decisions about patient diagnosis, referral, and treatment options. This course is essential for professionals involved in skin cancer detection and management.

Meet your instructors

Professor David Wilkinson Professor David Wilkinson MBChB PhD DSc FRACGP
Dr Hamilton Ayres Dr Hamilton Ayres BA BSc BMBS FRACGP
Professor David Wilkinson Professor David Wilkinson MBChB PhD DSc FRACGP
Professor David Wilkinson Professor David Wilkinson MBChB PhD DSc FRACGP
Professor Cliff Rosendahl Professor Cliff Rosendahl MBBS PhD
Assoc. Professor Iris Zalaudek Assoc. Professor Iris Zalaudek MD PhD
Professor Harald Kittler Professor Harald Kittler MD
Assoc. Professor Iris Zalaudek Assoc. Professor Iris Zalaudek MD PhD
Professor Philipp Tschandl Professor Philipp Tschandl MD PhD

Other ways to study this topic

Workshop

Complete your certificate online, then build practical skills in the accompanying optional hands-on workshop.

View workshop dates

Short courses

Study selected topics from this certificate as focused, standalone short courses for targeted upskilling in under 10 hours. 

Browse short courses

HealthCert 365

Access selected content from this certificate, plus 4,000+ hours of other CPD across a wide range of clinical areas.

Start free trial

CPD accreditation and course details

CPD Accreditation and Activities
Activity Title Nurse Education Hours
The foundations of skin cancer medicine (Nurses) 4.0
The Big Three: BCC, SCC and Melanoma 5.0
An approach to pigmented skin lesions (Nurses) 5.0
An approach to non-pigmented skin lesions (Nurses) 4.0
Chaos and Clues 6.0
Benign non-melanocytic lesions 4.0
Malignant non-melanocytic lesions 5.5
Dermoscopy for pink lesions 5.0
Skin imaging techniques (Nurses) 5.0
Total hours 43.5
Entry Requirements

HealthCert Education offers courses suitable for allied health professionals and all nurses, including Enrolled Nurses, Registered Nurses, and Nurse Practitioners. Please read the course description carefully to select a course that is right for your nursing role.

The Professional Certificate of Melanography is suitable for allied health professionals, Registered Nurses, and Nurse Practitioners who work in specialist skin clinics and who are interested in primary care dermoscopy for the screening of skin conditions commonly seen in day-to-day primary care.

There are no prerequisites for this course and no other previous formal training is required.

Participants do not have to pass an IELTS test but, as the courses are delivered in English, proficiency in listening, reading and writing English is assumed.

Participants will require access to a computer/laptop, an internet connection and a basic level of technology proficiency to access and navigate the online learning portal.

Recognised Prior Learning (RPL)

Professionally recognised qualifications and prior studies may be recognised for entry into this course if the learning outcomes match exactly. Please ask a HealthCert Education Advisor for an individual assessment of your prior qualifications and experience.

Certification

Upon successful completion of this course, you will receive the Professional Certificate of Melanography in recognition of your skills.

This certificate course:

  • Is recognised by the International Dermoscopy Society. Membership is worldwide and more than 100 countries are represented.

  • Meets World Federation of Medical Education standards.

  • Has been independently developed with subject experts and does not receive education grants from any pharmaceutical company.

Pathways

Professional Diploma pathway

This course is the first stage of the three-part professional diploma pathway. The full pathway is Professional Certificate of Melanography, Advanced Certificate of Melanography, and Professional Diploma of Melanography.

Clinical attachment in melanography, Burpengary

For nurses nearing completion of the pathway, a Clinical Attachment in Melanography will help you bridge the gap between theory and real-world clinical experience. This supervised 3- or 5-day placement in Burpengary (QLD) allows you to observe and assist experienced clinicians in a dedicated skin cancer clinic, gaining exposure to skin examinations, dermoscopy and imaging workflows, lesion triage, and patient communication. Learn more about the clinical attachment in melanography for nurses.

Clinical trials for melanography 

There are many clinical trials in Australia and overseas relating to skin cancer. To follow or join a clinical trial in Australia, please search here for the condition.

University quality-assured and CPD-accredited education provider

This organisation is an RACGP-accredited CPD provider under the RACGP CPD Program.

RACGP logo
ACRRM logo
AMA
Bond-Sep-09-2026-05-46-43-7981-AM
Griffith
IDS-1
Graz
Vienna
University of South Wales
Torrens
NSCC-2
Rila
UQ logo

Frequently asked questions

What are the costs and payment options of the course?

Fees will vary based on the program and study option selected (fully online vs online + optional practical workshop). Payments can be made upfront or in monthly instalments. Special rates and various payment options are available. GP registrars and doctors in training enjoy a scholarship of up to $500. Talk to us to learn more.

What is the Alumni Support Program?

Completion of any HealthCert course or attendance at an event will enable you to access the HealthCert Alumni Program which includes:

  • Access to special alumni rates for new courses when they are released.

  • Special alumni price for HealthCert Conferences.

  • Exclusive advanced access to HealthCert events.

  • Regular Alumni Webinars pertaining to the course(s) you have attended. These will provide content review of the course and an opportunity to discuss case studies.

  • Access to the video lectures as seen during the course(s) that you have attended.

How will I receive my certificate?

HealthCert Education is pleased to issue digital credentials for alumni. Digital credentials are a permanent online record of your successful completion of a HealthCert course and are issued to all course participants in addition to PDF certificates. If you are based in Australia, you also have the option to order a hard copy of your digital certificate for a small additional fee.

How long will the course take to complete?

The recommended study duration of this certificate course is listed at the top of this page. The estimated duration includes study of the pre-course activities and readings, online lectures, live tutorials, and online assessment. This self-paced course offers the flexibility of 100% online study in your own time, at your own pace, in your own home or office, with no mandatory face-to-face requirements. You are not required to be online at specific times but can view and replay video lectures at your convenience.

Is this course recognised in my country?

All HealthCert courses meet World Federation of Medical Education standards. This certificate course qualifies for CPD hours from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) in Australia. It is recognised by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) in New Zealand. It is recognised by the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians (HKCFP) in China. It is a self-submitted activity in Dubai and the United Kingdom. It is a self-submitted activity through the College of Family Physicians in Canada. If you live or work outside one of the above-mentioned countries, please contact us on admin@healthcert.com to discuss whether this course can be recognised in your country.

Cancellation policy: What happens if I can't attend a practical workshop?

Course/workshop cancellations and transfers policy

Should you be unable to attend a course or practical workshop you have registered for, please inform us asap at admin@healthcert.com so we can make your place available to waitlisted doctors.

Charges may apply for course/workshop cancellations and/or transfers. Click here for details.

What our alumni say

Join thousands of doctors who have advanced their clinical practice with our certificate courses.

"HealthCert courses have become the standard by which you gauge all others."

Dr K. Abolarinwa

"Good, courses with excellent speakers. I particularly enjoyed the case study scenarios which helped to integrate the knowledge gained."

- Dr A. Tucker

"This is the pathway to improve your confidence and evolve into the GP you aspire to be"

- Dr S. Shinwari

Get in touch with us

Our Education Advisors can assist you with any queries and tailor your education pathway to suit your current expertise, interests and career goals.

Richard - 1

Richard Silsby

Campbel Elton

Campbell Elton

Loretta Blackborough-1

Loretta Blackborough

Adam De Barros__1

Adam De Barros

Jules Wynyard edit circle (1)

Jules Wynyard

Call 1300 856 695
Schedule a call