American Society For Clinical Pathology Certification by BOC: Types, Eligibility, Prerequisites and How to Get Ultimate Guide
American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) offers authentic certificates to various fields of medical laboratory science.
These certificates can be divided on the base of candidate’s residence. ASCP for U.S. and ASCPi for international. Based on discipline or domain into molecular biology, chemistry, microbiology, hematology, blood bank, cytology, and histotechnology. However, based on the certificate level can be classified into ASCP medical laboratory scientist, technologist, specialist, technician.
In this article, we will unleash the basic information about all ASCP certifications, including content area, eligibility requirements and ASCP preparation.
ASCP and ASCPi
The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) offers many certificates for U.S. and international candidates. The U.S. certificate is ASCP, and the international certificate is called ASCPi.
The exam content area, and format of the exam are the same for both. But names are changed due to the candidate's residence and nationality of education granting institution.
For example, American Society for Clinical Pathology medical laboratory scientist certification is granted for both U.S. and international candidates who passed the MLS ASCP exam. Although the exam content areas is the same for both, the credentials will be MLS (ASCP) is for U.S. but MLS (ASCPi) for internationals.
A few certificates are only for international candidates, not for U.S. like an International Gynecologic Cytologist (CTgyn ASCPi).
ASCPi candidates need to make degree evaluation to a US level by ASCP BOC approved evaluation agencies for foreign transcripts.
American Society for Clinical Pathology Certification Type by Certificate Level
American Society for Clinical Pathology certifications can be categorized into four types based on the prerequisites and level of professionality:
- Medical Laboratory Scientist
- Medical Laboratory Technologist
- Medical laboratory Technician
- Medical Laboratory Specialist
MLS ASCP Certification
MLS ASCP conducts a wide variety of tests, from simple to complex. They perform all necessary tests that are essential for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
To become MLS ASCP certified, you must have strong knowledge of immunology, microbiology, urinalysis and other body fluids, blood banking, hematology, chemistry, and laboratory operations.
To apply for the MLS exam, you must have a baccalaureate degree and a few years of clinical experience in chemistry, immunology, blood banking, and other relevant subjects.
American Society for Clinical Pathology Technologist Certification
ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) grants 9 certificates for medical laboratory technologists including ASCP MB, M, C, H, BB, CG, CT, HTL and CTgyn.
MB ASCP Certification
Molecular biology technologist detects acquired and inherited disorders, including malignant, metabolic, and infectious diseases, with molecular diagnostic techniques.
The ASCP BOC checks your skill in molecular techniques and testing with lab operations before giving you an MB ASCP certificate. A baccalaureate degree and clinical lab experience are basic requirements.
M ASCP Certification
Technologists in microbiology deal with microscopic organisms, including bacteria, moulds, parasites and viruses to identify infectious diseases.
To get the M (ASCP) certificate, you must have knowledge of lab operations for maintaining all processes and analytic and preanalytic procedures, including bacteriology, mycobacteriology, virology and parasitology.
A baccalaureate degree in relevant subjects is an important requirement for all BOC routes. To be eligible, you must have clinical laboratory experience or have completed the Medical Lab Scientist Program offered by NAACLS.
C ASCP Certification
Chemistry Technologist is responsible for determining chemical and hormonal contents in blood and other body fluids. They perform variety of tests.
You have to prove your skill and knowledge in electrolytes, blood gases, lab operations, and other related content area.
A baccalaureate degree and lab experience in recommended procedures is essential to get in the given time frame to qualify for C ASCP exam.
H ASCP Certification
Technologists in hematology play an important role in the analysis of body fluids, including blood, to identify hematologic and coagulation disorders. They figure out the best result for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
Hematology disease states, physiology, laboratory testing, hemostasis, and lab work are exam content areas for the H (ASCP) exam.
Clinical laboratory experience in all required procedures and a baccalaureate degree are prerequisites for the exam.
BB ASCP Certification
Blood banking Technologists perform many tests to identify antibodies and determine blood types.
The American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification awards this BB certificate by monitoring candidates' experiences in blood group systems, lab work, transfusion practice, blood products, and serologic and molecular testing.
A baccalaureate degree, lab experience in different procedures, and a few years of clinical experience in blood banking are essential eligibility requirements to apply for this exam.
CG ASCP Certification
Cytogenetics technologists apply various techniques to the diagnosis and treatment of acquired and inherited diseases. They prepare slides for the analysis of samples.
You must be an expert in chromosome analysis, laboratory operations, and specimen preparation to get this certificate.
A baccalaureate degree and one or more years of clinical experience in cytogenetics within the given time frame are requirements for the CG (ASCP) exam.
CT ASCP Certification
A cytologist follows the directions of pathologists to detect infectious agents, pre-cancerous changes, inflammatory processes, and cancer in the lab.
You must know all about non-gynecological cytology, lab work, gynecological cytology, and fine needle aspiration.
As a U.S. candidate, you only need a baccalaureate degree and a CAAHEP-accredited cytotechnology program. However, as an international candidate, you need a baccalaureate degree and clinical experience in relevant proceduresfor CT certification exam .
HTL ASCP Certification
Histotechnologists perform many complicated tasks, including in-situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence on tissue samples for the diagnosis of disease.
Lab procedures, fixation, staining, and processing are important content areas for the HTL (ASCP) exam.
A baccalaureate degree in biology and chemistry and lab experience in many procedures in the recommended time frame are prequalifying requirements for the exam.
CTgyn ASCPi Certificate
A gynecologic cytologist (CTgyn) is responsible for detecting benign tumors, pre-cancerous changes, inflammatory processes, and cancer by performing multiple tests.
You must have enough knowledge to prove yourself in lab work, biological behaviors, physiology, normal cellular morphology, and cytopathology.
A diploma in the relevant field, CT (IAC) certification, and lab experience in gynecologic cytology are essential for CTgyn ASCPi routes.
American Society for Clinical Pathology Specialist Certification
American Society for Clinical Pathology specialist certifications are the highest and most tough among BOC certificates. ASCP specialist includes SM, SC, SH, SBB, SMB, SCT and SCYM.
SM ASCP Certification
Specialists in microbiology determine infectious diseases by identifying bacteria, viruses, parasites and moulds in body fluids and tissue samples.
Specialists with knowledge in the areas of parasitology, mycology, mycobacteriology, and lab operation are the right candidates to get this SM.
You must meet some specific requirements to earn this certificate, including a doctorate, baccalaureate degree, or master's degree in specific subjects, a valid M (ASCP) or MLS (ASCP) certification, teaching or lab experience in recommended procedures.
SMB ASCP Certification
Molecular biology Specialists identify inherited and acquired diseases, including metabolic, malignant, and infectious diseases, by using molecular diagnostic methods.
American Society for Clinical Pathology BOC provides SMB certification to lab specialists who demonstrate expertise in molecular science, molecular techniques, applications of molecular testing and laboratory operations.
Valid MB (ASCP) certification, a baccalaureate, master's degree, or doctorate in relevant subjects, and clinical experience in molecular biology
SC ASCP Certification
Chemistry Specialist performs multiple tests to analyze hormonal or chemical content in blood or other body fluids to help physicians in the treatment of disease.
To be SC (ASCP) certified, general chemistry; lab operations; electrolytes, acid-base, blood gases, and enzyme and protein are exam syllabus.
Valid C or MLS(ASCP) certification, a baccalaureate degree, and a maximum of three years of clinical experience are eligibility requirements for the SC exam.
SH ASCP Certification
A hematology specialist identifies coagulation and hematologic abnormalities by performing experiments on all body fluids.
This certificate is for lab professionals who possess skills in the areas of lab work, hematology, physiology, disease state, hemostasis, etc.
To achieve the SHspecialist certification, you must meet some requirements, including valid H or MLS (ASCP) certification, a baccalaureate degree, experience as an academic educator in clinical hematology, and teaching or laboratory experience in required procedures.
SBB ASCP Certification
Specialists in Blood banking perform many tests to identify antibodies and determine blood types.
BOC assesses candidates' knowledge in blood group systems, lab work, transfusion practice, blood products, and serologic and molecular testing.
Valid BB or MLS (ASCP) certification, a baccalaureate degree or master's degree in relevant subjects, and a few years of clinical lab experience are are required for SBB certification exam.
SCT ASCP Certification
A specialist in cytology analyzes cellular specimens from the entire body, including bronchoscopic and endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspirations, the use of fluorescence in-situ hybridization, and rapid on-site evaluation of needle aspirates.
American Society for Clinical Pathology BOC awards this certificate to those lab experts who possess knowledge in the areas of gynecological cytology, fine needle and other aspirations, non-gynecological cytology, and laboratory operations.
Valid CT (ASCP) certification, a baccalaureate or master's degree in a relevant subject, and one or more years of lab experience are application requirements for SCT ASCP.
SCYM ASCP Certification
Specialists in cytometry are knowledgeable lab professionals in all aspects of flow cytometry, including quality, technical, and regulatory issues.
To get the SCYM (ASCP) successfully, you must have a strong grip on the panel/experiment, instrumentation, lab operation, application, and data.
You must have a valid ASCP technologist or specialist certification, a baccalaureate or master's degree, a doctorate in the area of specialization, and a few years of lab experience.
American Society for Clinical Pathology Technician Certification
American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification for technicians includes MLT, PBT, HT and MLA.
MLT ASCP Certification
Medical Laboratory Technician offers vital information by performing multiple tests to diagnose and treat disease.
Chemistry, microbiology, immunology, blood bank, all body fluids, and lab operations are essential content areas to become MLT ASCP certified.
You must have an associate degree, a military medical lab training course, or acceptable clinical experience in relevant subjects to meet the application requirements.
PBT ASCP Certification
Phlebotomy technicians work face-to-face with patients to collect, process, and transport blood and other specimens to perform tests in the lab.
American Society for Clinical Pathology BOC awards these PBT certificates to eligible candidates who know all about infection control and lab safety.
High school graduation or equivalent and the phlebotomy program offered by NAACLS are common requirements for each route that BOC recommends.
HT ASCP Certification
Histotechnician use histologic techniques, including fixation, processing, and staining, to process and prepare tissue samples.
American Society for Clinical Pathology BOC validates candidates who have strong knowledge of processing, staining, laboratory operations, and fixation.
HT ASCP applicants must meet application requirements, including the histotechnician program offered by NAACLS and academic credit in biology and chemistry within the required semester.
MLA ASCP Certification
Medical laboratory assistants perform a variety of tasks, including collecting samples, registering patients, and assessing the samples for lab tests.
To become an MLA (ASCP) certified, applicants must know about the processing and preparation of specimens, lab work, point-of-care testing, and registering patients.
High school graduation or equivalent, valid PBT (ASCP) certification, or the Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) program offered by NAACLS with years of clinical experience is the application requirements for this test.
American Society for Clinical Pathology Certification Type by Discipline
American Society for Clinical Pathology Board Of Certification can be classified based on discipline or area of specialty into ASCP molecular biology, microbiology, chemistry, hematology, blood banking, cytogenetics, cytology, histology and cytometry.
ASCP Molecular Biology
ASCP molecular biology certificates for both technologists and specialists by demonstrating their knowledge and skills in relevant fields.
These certificates are MB for technologists and SMB for specialists.
Specialists have more advanced knowledge of molecular testing methods and clinical applications than technologists. To become an SMB, candidates may need to have a valid MB ASCP certification.
ASCP Microbiology
ASCP microbiology includes M is for technologists in microbiology, and SM is for specialists in microbiology.
Both help physicians diagnose and treat infectious diseases. However, specialists serve as advisers in their specialty.
To meet SM eligibility requirements, you may need to have M (ASCP) or MLS (ASCP) certification.
ASCP Chemistry
Both technologists and specialists in ASCP chemistry perform analysis on all body fluids to determine the chemical or hormonal content of the specimen.
C is for technologists while SC is for specialists in chemistry. SC ASCP has more experience performing lab tests than technologists.
MLS or C (ASCP) credentials are almost the required degree of each route to become SC ASCP.
ASCP Hematology
Both SH and H perform analysis on all body fluids to aid physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases.
American Society for Clinical Pathology awards H for technologists and SH ASCP for specialists in hematology.
Both perform the same task, but SH has advanced skills in their area of specialty. To qualify for the SH exam, you may need to get MLS or H (ASCP) certification.
ASCP Blood Bank
BB and SBB are ASCP credentials in the blood bank. The BB credential is for technologists, and the SBB credential is for specialists in blood banking.
The responsibilities of both are to select blood components, identify antibodies, and determine blood types. However, specialists work as laboratory managers who serve as leaders.
Valid BB or MLS (ASCP) certification or a master’s degree in a related field is part of the application requirements for SBB.
ASCP Cytology
American Society for Clinical Pathology presents ASCP cytology certifications for specialists and technologists in cytology, which are CT, is technologist credential and SCT ASCP is specialist credential.
Both are responsible for collecting samples from the entire body and performing analysis to detect disease, including cancer, pre-cancerous changes, etc.
Specialists use advanced techniques for better results. To qualify for the SCT test, you may need a CT (ASCP) credential or master's degree.
ASCP Histology
American Society for Clinical Pathology histology certification is available only for technologists. Histotechnologist Follows the instructions of the pathologist to perform simple to complex tests to diagnose and treat the disease.
Histotechnologists are liable for taking samples from the body and preparing slides for pathologists to investigate disease states and cures.
Baccalaureate degrees in biology and chemistry are accepted documents for each BOC route.
ASCP Cytometry Certification
American Society for Clinical Pathology certification in cytometry is available only for specialist. A specialist in cytometry has advanced knowledge of all aspects of flow cytometry. They can perform flow cytometry assays in reference, clinical, and research laboratories.
To get this certificate, candidates must have a solid knowledge of instruments, applications, and lab operations.
A baccalaureate degree and one or more years of clinical experience in flow cytometry are standard eligibility criteria for each route.
How To Get ASCP Certification?
Getting ASCP certification has never been easy. It demands your unwavering determination. To eliminate your effort, we are going to describe some effective information to become ASCP BOC certified.
How to become ASCP certified step bt step:
Total Time: 1 minute
Select Certificates
BOC awards many certificates for all medical lab professionals. Hence, you can choose one from all of these that matches your area of interest.
Check Eligibility Requirements
Once you choose your ASCP certificate, see your eligibility requirements for this test. BOC offers many eligibility routes for each certificate. You can check your eligibility from there.
ASCP-Required Documentation
Collect all ASCP-required documentation related to your area of interest. These documents may be training and experience documentation with authenticity letters, foreign transcript evaluations, and official transcripts.
Login to the ASCP Official Website
After selecting your certificate and meeting its eligibility requirements, you have to create an account on the American Society for Clinical Pathology official website to submit your application. Add all the required information correctly to login to the ASCP website.
Application Submission
Application Review
BOC ASCP takes up to 45 days to review an applicant's application. Candidates must submit all required documents during this time; otherwise, they will be considered ineligible for this test.
Exam preparation
If you have ample time, you can rely on the BOC recommended reading list that include many resources from textbooks, journals, and online associations for ASCP.
However, if you are looking for an all-in-one solution to ace your ASCP exam, then MLSIA preparation courses are your ultimate package. The preparatory package includes live online classes, one unified study material, recordings of classes, and a Q&A bank.
Frequently Asked Question
What does BOC ASCP stand for?
BOC ASCP is the largest certification organization that offers powerful certificates to medical candidates. The BOC stands for Board of Certification, while ASCP stands for American Society for Clinical Pathology.
What are the benefits of getting ASCP certification?
ASCP certification is a big opportunity to brighten medical lab candidates' professional and financial lives. You get great career satisfaction, a high salary, and an honorable position among your colleagues.
What is the difference between ASCP and ASCPi?
BOC ASCP offers many certificates for both U.S. and international medical lab candidates. ASCP credentials are for U.S. candidates, and ASCPi credentials are for international candidates.
What are the highest scores for ASCP exams?
0-999 is the maximum score range for all ASCP credentials. While 400 is the maximum score that is essential to earning the certificate.
Abdelhalim Elshawadfy is an ASCP certified Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS ASCP), Specialist in Microbiology (SM ASCP), and Molecular Biology Technologist (MB ASCP) with a distinguished career marked by expertise, continuous learning, and a commitment to elevating the standards of clinical laboratory science. As an ASCP Certification Expert and American Board Certification Expert, Abdelhalim Elshawadfy continues to make invaluable contributions to the field, leaving a lasting impact on the medical community.