ASCP Certification Information and Requirements
Higher Education Articles November 2, 2012There are more than 20 professional certifications for technologists, laboratory technicians and pathologist’s assistant offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). With ASCP certification in New York and California, some technologists, technicians and technologists can aim for state licensure, the requisites vary depending on the categories, but students are require to have some experience, training and education.
The Requisites to ASCP Certification:
Laboratory professionals and pathology assistants can advance professionally from certification offered by the ASCP Board of Certification. In subsequent paragraphs; we have detailed the various forms of certification the ASCP issues.
The requirement to become a certified technician depend on the categories they’ve applied to like a laboratory professional or pathology assistant. There are technicians who received their certification although they hold no more than a high school diploma. In most instants, ASCP certifications are given to applicants with six months of medical laboratory experience along with a bachelor degree. Further, a candidate is expected to pay fees in order to take a certification exam.
ASCP certification awarded to a candidate who successfully passes the examination remains valid for three years. In regards to extending validated license after three years, there will be different requirements depending on the type of certification. However, a certain amount of training hours and some continuing education are a common requirement for all types of certification.
ASCP Technician Certification
ASCP issue technician certification for use by sponsor phlebotomy technicians, medical laboratory technicians, histotechnicians and phlebotomy technicians. The prerequisites of a phlebotomy technician certification are a phlebotomy training course along with a high school diploma. For other technician certification, the requisite conditions call for an associate degree that includes coursework in biology and chemistry.
ASCP Technologist Certification
ASCP issue technologist certification for use in cytogenetic, cytotechnologist, microbiology, hematology, chemistry, blood banking, molecular biology, and by medical laboratory scientists and histotechnologists.
The prerequisites of a technologist certification include clinical laboratory experience along with a bachelor degree in biology or chemistry.
ASCP Specialist Certification
ASCP issues specialist certification for use by pathologist’s assistants and in relation to the fields of cytotechnology, hematology, microbiology, chemistry, blood banking and laboratory safety.
The prerequisites of a professional certification include clinical laboratory experience along with a graduate degree or a bachelor degree combined with other certifications.
ASCP Diplomat Certification
ASCP issue the diploma in laboratory management certification for use of those who have experience in marketing, operations, human resources, and financial aspect of laboratory management.
The prerequisites of a certification diploma include laboratory management experience along with a postsecondary degree. Four years of laboratory experience along with a bachelor degree can help achieve certification, although a graduate degree is more advantageous.
International Certification
Laboratory professionals from around the world – regardless of their location — can seek the credentials of ASCP’s international certification. Such professionals will include technologists in gynecologic cytology and molecular biology, apart from medical technologists and phlebotomy technicians. ASCP offers different certification options to these professionals depending on the region in which they live and operate.
Additional information about ASCP
Laboratory professionals and pathologists can achieve certification as well as training opportunities provided by ASCP, an organization with over 130,000 members. Memberships are offered to laboratory professionals, pathologist’s assistants and pathologists for an annual fee.
Apart from certification for laboratory professionals, ASCP facilitates continuing education programs for the benefit of physicians, pathologists and other nonlaboratory medical professionals. ASCP’s maintenance of certification program helps pathologists to maintain the validity of their certification of being medical doctors, as issued by the Board of Pathology (BOP).
Headquartered in Chicago, ASCP has offices in Washington DC (the organization’s Advocacy HQ) and Indianapolis. The American Journal of Clinical Pathology is among the many publications on pathology published by ASCP.
