ASCP International (ASCPi) : A Guide for Your certification

ASCP International (ASCPi) candidate is a medical laboratory professional with non-USA degree who is looking for ASCP certification by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC).

As international examinee, you need to check your eligibility, evaluate your transcripts by ASCP approved evaluation degree agency, prepare for the exam,

apply for exam, pay fees, and take the exam to get certified by the ASCP BOC.

So, if you want to take the ASCP certification exam?

As a non-US candidate?

And you are worried about your eligibility?

Nothing to worry about.

Once you have read the article till the end, you’ll get answers to several questions which arise in your mind.

So, let’s get started!

Brief Overview of ASCP (American Society for Clinical Pathology)

ASCP is the largest professional organization with laboratory professionals and pathologist members.

The society includes more than one lac members from different medical areas.

It supports individuals to start their career in medical laboratory.

Such individuals can continue their services throughout their career at higher levels in their fields.

ASCP Certification and Its Accessibility To International Candidates

ASCP offers lab technicians, professionals, and technologists’ different kinds of credentials that support them at different levels of their careers.

ASCP certification can be achieved through required education, passing the certification exam, and practice in their respective field.

Through ASCP credentials individuals highlight to their peers and potential employers that they are dedicated to their profession, are competent, and have in-depth knowledge of their field.

ASCP is a US-based organization.

However, the ASCP certification for international professionals is also eligible for the credentials providing they meet all the requirements.

Understanding ASCP Certification for International Candidates

The international pathways to ASCP certification for non-U.S. applicants offer them ASCPi credentials.

ASCPi is a certification with similar requirements and licensure maintenance as ASCP.

The content outline for ASCP and ASCPi are also similar for ASCP international candidates.

Most of ASCPi credentials are equivalent to ASCP excluding the following:

ASCP only, no other equivalency available for following programs:

• DLM – Diplomate in Laboratory Management
• MLA – Medical Laboratory Assistant
• PA – Pathologists' Assistant

ASCP’s Commitment to Certifying Professionals Globally

ASCP aims to gather global leaders to develop and implement solutions to the world's most serious issues with the help of the Clinton Global Initiative.

ASCP also aims to ensure that patients are getting quality care by expanding and supporting laboratory professionals throughout their careers.

ASCP has acted upon its commitment to create next-generation lab professionals.

This objective has been achieved by following the goals set by the Clinton Global Initiatives: ensuring that future medical laboratory professionals are visible, inclusive, and resilient in all healthcare aspects.

The Role of International Candidates in The ASCP Certification Process

ASCP believes that the ASCP international candidates and laboratory workforce can be more diverse and represent the public.

Therefore, aspects like race, age, ethnicity, and gender are kept in mind in all the processes.

Students from unprivileged groups and communities can also participate in the ASCP exams.

ASCP is trying hard to build awareness of the inclusive and diverse workforce and take a step towards creating and implementing recruitment approaches.

Eligibility Requirements for International Candidates

Let's learn about the ASCP eligibility for non-U.S. citizens about ASCP global credentialing:

Criteria for Individuals Outside the United States

U.S. Eligibility				International Eligibility
	Technician	Technologists	Specialist	Technician	Technologists	Specialist
Education	Associate degree	Baccalaureate degree	Baccalaureate degree or higher	2-year diploma or equivalent	Baccalaureate degree	Baccalaureate degree or higher
Work Experience	JCI, CLIA, or CMS registration certificate, accreditation, or compliance under ISO 15189			CAP, JCI authorized laboratories under ISO 15189 or recognized by the ministry or governing regulatory association, or accredited by an international advisory board approved by ASCP BOC are all the work experienced included in the eligibility requirement for international candidates.
Training Program	Training programs approved by BOC including CAAHEP, ABHED, or NAACLS.			Accredited by governing ministry or regulatory bodies, or recognized by the international advisory board under the approval of ASCP BOC, eligibility will be assessed by the transcript evaluation. The educational coursework and clinical experiences/working hours will be evaluated by the ASCP Board of Certification.

Education, Professional, or Other Qualifications Required for International Candidates

For Technician: 2-year diploma or equivalent

For Technologists: Baccalaureate degree

For Specialists: Baccalaureate degree and a higher

Work Experience: CAP, JCI accredited laboratory under ISO 15189, or recognized by ministry or governing regulatory bodies, or accredited by an international advisory association recognized by the ASCP BOC.

Navigating the Application Process for International Candidates

The new aspirants for ASCP certification should create an account before applying online. You are required to follow the instructions, provided below, to ensure hassle free process.

Application Process for ASCP International candidates

• Fill out the online application form when you are ready with all the other requirements and prepare for the ASCP examination.
• To start the process, ASCP international candidates need to create an online account on the ASCP website (Login if you already have one).
• Through this account, you can schedule your test date and day and access your results.
• After completing the application form you will be given a fee voucher to submit with the required documents.
• Once your application and documentation are approved by the ASCP, you will be notified via email confirming your admission to the ASCP certification program.
• You can now schedule your ASCP global certification at any professional testing center that can be found in many member countries around the globe.

Required Documentation, Deadlines, And Submission Procedures

For ASCP international candidates, you need to submit the required documents to demonstrate your eligibility including:  

• A course-by-course degree evaluation of your official transcript
• Experience form filled, along with
• Authenticity letter, a certified or original transcript evaluation,
• You need to send the documents at the time of application to the official mailing address, faxed documents will be rejected.

To prove your eligibility for ASCP you need to provide all the documents at the time of application.

You will have to submit the application online and pay the examination fee within 90 days of approval of your application.

Your application will be completed once you have processed the payment.

Locating International Exam Centers

Let’s familiarize ourselves with information about locating international exam centers in this section.

Exam Centers

The ASCP Board of Certification allows the ASCP overseas professionals and ASCP international candidates to choose the international exam center as per their choice.

After you have completed the registration process,

You will get a Pearson Vue link to create an account and a list of exam centers that are authorized by the ASCP official.

From a list of centers, you can choose the one that suits your ASCP exam schedule.

You should also consider the aspects like transportation, distance etc. before selecting the testing center.

Logistics for Taking ASCP Exams Outside the United States

Certification ASCP international candidates outside the U.S. offers exam centers in different locations including Mexico, Canada, and other member countries.

Mostly these test centers for ASCP international testing are hospitals, universities, or testing centers.

Study Materials and Resources for ASCP International Candidates

Recommendations for Study Materials and Resources

Many online forums offer study materials and resources to the ASCP international candidates.

The ASCP website also provides practice exams, study materials, and reference materials related to ASCP certification for non-American candidates.

ASCP International candidates can also engage themselves in study groups or join academies to seek professional guidance and prepare for the ASCP certification exam.

Best Materials and Support

ASCP International Candidates can understand the exam content when they have an easy guide to the exam format.

Efficient study material includes simplified and detailed content with simple vocabulary, visuals, and other formats to engage the candidate with the study material.

International candidates must investigate the material format before purchasing any preparation material.

These study resources come with all the strategies that make it easy to understand.

Moreover, MLSIAcademy.com’s preparation material includes the reading lists and content guidelines by the Board of Certification to make it all in one study material.

Support Services for ASCP International Candidates

Need any support or have questions?

Get in touch with the ASCP support channels below:

Support for ASCP International Candidates

ASCP provides support services for ASCP international candidates with their valuable resources and connects them with potential mentors and coworkers.  

It is advised to reach the customer support services of ASCP to get all the required details for documentation and other processes.

All information regarding the registration process, required documents, and other inquiries related to exam logistics and international testing centers will be provided to ASCP international candidates.

Moreover, ASCP international candidates can explore the ASCP frequently asked questions section on their website for further guidance and clarity for all the certification processes.

Fees and Costs for ASCP International Candidates

The Board of Certification (BOC) and the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) offer around 23 certifications in various medical laboratory fields. 

Each of these exams has different fees and costs for international candidates associated with their certifications.

Usually, the fee ranges between 100 to 500 USD, and on average it is between 200 to 300 USD.

All the program fees are nonrefundable, and ASCP international candidates need to pay the fee through check or credit card at the time of application.

ASCP International Candidates must submit the payment online within 90 days of starting their registration process.

Applicants will not receive a verification email for the certification exam until they have made the payment.

The application fee for any certification exam includes the cost of documentation review and the administration cost of the application process.

While all the fees are nontransferable and nonrefundable.

Recognition of International Credentials

ASCP recognition of international credentials is done by evaluating the certifications, educational transcripts, and other related documents.

The Equivalency is evaluated through the course content, certifications, and clinical experiences.

To get more information on the evaluation and recognition of international credentials candidates are encouraged to contact ASCP.

USA Degree Equivalency Process

An international graduate of any school/college is required to prove eligibility.

This identity verification has to be done irrespective of the school/college he/she has attended.

The following academic documents are required for evaluation by accredited evaluation agency:

• Must be evaluated by a recognized evaluation agency.
• Course by Course evaluation

Conclusion

We have reached the end.

If you’ve read this article till here, we tried to answer several questions which pop up in the minds of every ASCP aspirant.

MLSi Academy offers a comprehensive and detailed study resource to international candidates to prepare for ASCPi.

So, there is nothing to worry about.

Choose the best study resources and you’ll success in the ASCP exam.

FAQs for ASCP International, ASCPi