ASCP Microbiology Certification (M ASCP & SM ASCP): Requirements, Study Material, Guide, Exam Question and Prepatation
Want to advance your career in microbiology? Failed to pass the ASCP microbiology exam? Want help to ace your M (ASCP) and SM (ASCP) exams on the first attempt?
In today's article, we will provide you with every detail to become an ASCP technologist in microbiology or ASCP specialist in microbiology.
Overview of ASCP Microbiology Certification
ASCP microbiology certification for M technologis and SM specialist is an outstanding certificate to consolidate your understanding of emerging microbiology developments. This American Society For Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certificate possess superficial competencies to lift your lab career.
There are two types of microbiology certificate technologist in microbiology (M ASCP) conducts various micro tests on body solutions and tissue sections to assist the physician in disease analysis and handling caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites and moulds.
The specialist in microbiology (SM ASCP) owns managerial expertise along with advanced micro knowledge. That’s why he/ she can lead, monitor and control the microbiology research projects.
M ASCP Technologist vs. SM Specialist
ASCP certification is for all educational backgrounds. It offer many routes to make the ASCP microbiology certificate feasible for all clinical and medical science professionals. You can choose M or SM according to your degree and experience.
You can apply for (M ASCP) if you have one year of clinical experience along with your bachelor’s in the relevant domain. If you are a beginner with no experience, you can still apply for the technologist With MLS (ASCP) credentials. If you own a minimum of three years of clinical experience in addition to your master’s degree, you can appear in SM. You cannot apply for ASCP specialist in without any prior clinical experience.
Requirements for ASCP Microbiology Certification
These requirements are necessary conditions you must have to follow. The American Society For Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (BOC) offers different routes.
The routes have summarized in the table below:
| (ASCP) M Eligibility Routes | (ASCP) SM Eligibility Routes | |
| Route 1 | · A bachelor’s degree in biology associated domain. · MLS/ MT (ASCP) not-expired certificate. | · A bachelor’s degree in biology associated domain. · MLS/ MT (ASCP) or M ASCP not-expired certificate. · Three years of microbiology clinical experience. |
| Route 2 | · A bachelor’s degree in biology associated domain. · One year of microbiology clinical experience. | · A master’s degree in biology associated domain. · Three years of microbiology clinical experience. |
| Route 3 | · A bachelor’s degree in biology associated domain. · NAACLS certified microbiology course completion. | · A PhD in biology associated domain. · Two years of post-doctoral fellowship in microbiology OR clinical experience in the microbiology laboratory. |
| Route 4 | · A master’s degree in biology associated domain. · Six months of microbiology clinical experience. | · MLS/ MT (ASCP) or M ASCP not-expired certificate. · A PhD in biology associated domain. · One year of clinical experience in a microbiology laboratory OR research centre. |
| Route 5 | · A bachelor’s degree in biology associated domain. · NAACLS certified MLS course accomplishment. | · MLS/ MT (ASCP) or M ASCP not-expired certificate. · A bachelor’s degree in biology associated domain. · Three years of academic experience in microbiology. |
| Route 6 | – | · MLS/ MT (ASCP) or M ASCP not-expired certificate. · A PhD in biology associated domain. · One year of academic experience in microbiology. |
Eligibility Check For ASCP Microbiology
Eligibility check is the first and foremost step before submitting an online application for either M ASCP or SM ASCP. The ASCP has formulated an online tool to check eligibility.
Whether you want to apply for technologist or specialist in micro, you can use the ASCP eligibility checker assistant.
It is very important to ensure your exam admissibility first. The Board of Certification (BOC) will not return you either M (ASCP) or SM (ASCP) exam fees.
Follow the phases below to view your eligibility results at ASCP eligibility assistant:
- Go to the ASCP eligibility checker.
- Select the certificate you want to appear for.
- Respond to each and every question honestly.
- In the end, view your eligibility results.
- For step by step details on how to check eligibility go here for M technologist and there SM specilaist.
Study Guide for ASCP Certification in Microbiology
ASCP certification study guide for M ASCP and SM ASCP is a means to assist you in exam preparation.
The American Society For Clinical Pathology has announced four subject areas to pass the ASCP technologist or specialist in microbiology exams.
The exam content in the table below. We have also mentioned the exam percentages along with the study material acc to the ASCP BOC website.
| Microbiology subjects | Exam Content | Exam Percentage |
| Laboratory operations | Instrumentation, Quality Troubleshooting, Safety, Postanalytic Procedures, Lab Maths and Administration (ASCP SM CM) | *M (ASCP): 10 – 15% * SM (ASCP): 20 – 25% |
| Analytic procedures for mycobacteriology, virology, parasitology, and mycology | Major Pathogens, Identification Methods, Disease States, Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing ((ASCP) SM), Specimen Sources and Serology | * (ASCP) M: 20 – 30% * (ASCP) SM: 30 – 40% |
| Analytic procedures for bacteriology | Urine, Blood and Bone Marrow, BSL-3 Pathogens, Body Fluids From Sterile Positions, Identification Procedures, Antibiotic Resistance, Lower and Upper Respiratory, Gastrointestinal, Skin/Soft Tissue/Bone, Genital Zone, Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing, MRSA/MSSA, Cerebrospinal Fluid, VRE, ESBL/CRE Screening, and Select Agents | * (M ASCP): 45 – 55% * (SM ASCP): 30 – 40% |
| Preanalytic procedures | Specimen Assembly, Transport, Processing, and Stains | * M (ASCP)CM: 10 – 15% * SM (ASCP)CM: 5 – 10% |
ASCP Microbiology Exam
The exam is 2 hours and 30 minutes long assessment for both technologist and specialist certificates.
The ASCP has assigned scores to exam queries based on difficulty level. It includes 100 questions.
The exam for both M (ASCP) and SM (ASCP) is computer-based. The minimum passing score is 400 out of 999 total.
Preparation for ASCP Microbiology (M &SM )
The ASCP Microbiology Online Prep Courses Include The Following Advantages:
- Your login credentials at MLSi Academy membership dashboard to access resources and tools
- A link to our online video conference platform (zoom) to attend classes
- Up to (4) hours of lectures each week.
- Weekly lectures for minimum of up to 10 weeks.
- Up to 40-hours live lectures per the course.
- Recorded sessions in case you couldn't attend the live classes.
- Well-structured study resources at a single place. So you can focus on your exam preparation strategy.
- Directions concerning exam queries and how to answer.
- Two bonuses. Get our eBook “American Board for Medical Laboratory Professionals Ultimate Guide” for free instead of $9.99.
- Another gigantic bonus is our follow-up actions. We’ll stay in touch with you until you apply for your final exam.
ASCP technologist in microbiology prep as well as ASCP specialist in microbiology preparation is a quite challenging and daunting task. You cannot pass the M (ASCP) and SM (ASCP) exams without any assistance from experts.
The American Society For Clinical Pathology will evaluate both theoretical and practical understanding of microbiology concepts.
MLSi Academy is a widely recognized institute that offers top-notch preparation classes for American board certifications.
Our online microbiology exam preparation packages are a handy solution to becoming ASCP certified microbiologist in the first sitting.
How To Get ASCP Microbiology Certificate?
It is a 4 steps procedure to nominate an ASCP technologist or specialist. Here are the following steps:
Step by step guide to acquire ASCP micro certification
Total Time: 4 minutes
ASCP Account Creation
· First, go to the ASCP website.
· Create your account there.
· You can use the previous one if you have created it earlier.
· Use your real name as mentioned on your national ID card.
Application Submission
· Determine whether technologist or specialist in microbiology is the best match for your qualifications.
· Fill in the application per the certificate determined.
· Then, click submit.
· Official transcripts evaluation and fee submission
· Select any ASCP certified agency for the evaluation of your documents.
· BOC only accept official documents.
· Finally, send your official evaluated papers and fee to the Board of Certification.
American Board Certification Exam Scheduling
· BOC will take a few business days to consider your application.
· Monitor your application status from the ASCP account dashboard.
· ASCP will notify you through email to select your exam date.
Exam Preparation
After assessment date selection, put all of your efforts to nominate as an (M) technologist in microbiology or (SM) specialist in microbiology.
To become a microbiology champion in the first attempt, subscribe to MLSi Academy online exam prep courses. Online prep course for technologist and for specialist in microbiology.
Microbiology Study Material ASCP/ ASCPi
ASCP microbiology certification study material is a list of reference books and online journals to pass the world-class microbiology exam.
You will find a lot of information regarding ASCP specialist or technologist in microbiology on the ASCP website. However, it will take a lot of time and effort to arrange and organize the study list.
With MLSi ACADEMY M (ASCP) Prep and SM (ASCP) Prep online package, you will get a well-organized exam preparation list. It will save you time. Besides this, it will also help you to focus only on exam preparation.
Practice Test Questions for M, SM ASCP
ASCP specialist and technologist in practice test is a fabulous way to identify your weak concepts in microbiology before the final exam. Furthermore, it will also provide you with a glimpse of the final exam structure.
The American Society For Clinical Pathology will not provide you with the SM, M ASCP past papers. You have to seek it from the ASCP certified professionals.
MLSIA M (ASCP)CM and SM (ASCP)CM online courses comprise hundreds and thousands of micro practice queries. After subscribing to any of the courses, you will not feel any need to invest in other exam related stuff.
Flashcards for ASCP Microbiology
M & SM flashcards are a speedier means to memorize and analyze microbiology concepts. In addition to that, it will also make your revision process easy before a final microbiology technologist and specialist exam.
MLSIA prep package is for technologist and specialist in microbiology comes with a flashcards facility to make your exam preparation process smoother.
Microbiology Books for ASCP Certification
ASCP book for SM and M is not available on the ASCP website. You will only find a list of reference books for both certificates.
With MLSIA exam preparation online course, you will get a handy pdf format book for the microbiology exam. With this book, you will find all the exam prep related stuff in a single place.
With well-aligned study resources, it will become easy for you to become technologist microbiology or specialist in microbiology.
ASCP Reading List for Microbiology Certification
ASCP specialist and technologist in microbiology reading list is a series of books for exam preparation. We are quoting these books from the American Society For Clinical Pathology website.
Laboratory Management (for Microbiology Specialist only)
American Society For Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC)
- Harmening, D.M. (2020). Laboratory Management: Principles and Processes (4th ed.). St. Petersburg, FL: D.H. Publishing & Consulting Inc.
- Garcia, L.S. (Ed.). (2013). Clinical Laboratory Management (2nd ed.). Washington, D.C.: ASM Press.
- Parasitology
- Garcia, L.S. (2016). Diagnostic Medical Parasitology (6th ed.). Washington, D.C.: ASM Press.
- Ash, L.R. & Orihel, T.C. (2007). Atlas of Human Parasitology (5th ed.). Chicago: ASCP Press.
- Pritt, B.S. (2014). Parasitology Benchtop Reference Guide. College of American Pathologists.
- Mathison, B.A. & Pritt, B.S. (2016). Arthropod Benchtop Reference Guide. College of American Pathologists. (only for microbiology specialist)
Molecular And Immunology
American Society For Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (BOC)
- Persing, D.H. et al. (Eds.). (2016). Molecular Microbiology: Diagnostic Principles and Practice (3rd ed.). Washington D.C.: ASM Press.
- Detrick, B., Schmitz, J.L, & Hamilton, R.G. (Eds.). (2016). Manual of Molecular and Clinical Laboratory Immunology (8th ed.). Washington, D.C.: ASM Press.
Clinical Microbiology
American Society For Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC)
- Tille, P.M. (2021). Bailey & Scott’s Diagnostic Microbiology (15th ed.). Elsevier.
- De La Maza, L.M. et al. (2020). Color Atlas of Medical Bacteriology (3 rd ed.). Washington, D.C.: ASM Press.
- Mahon, C.R. & Lehman, D.C. (2019). Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology (6th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences.
- Carroll, K.C., et al. (Eds.). (2019). Manual of Clinical Microbiology (12th ed.). Washington D.C.: ASM Press.
- Leber, A.L. (Ed.). (2016). Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook (4th ed.). Washington, D.C.: ASM Press.
- Procop, G.W., et al. (2017). Koneman’s Color Atlas and Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology (7th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
- Hata, D.J. & Thomson Jr., R.B. (2016). Gram Stain Benchtop Reference Guide. College of American Pathologists.
Mycology And Virology
American Society For Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (BOC).
- Walsh, T.J., Hayden, R.T., & Larone, D.H. (2018). Larone’s Medically Important Fungi: A Guide to Identification (6th ed.). Washington D.C.: ASM Press.
- Loeffelholz, M.J., et al. (Eds.). (2016). Clinical Virology Manual (5th ed.). Washington D.C.: ASM Press.
- Love, G.L. & Ribes, J.A. (2018). Color Atlas of Mycology: An Illustrated Field Guide Based on Proficiency Testing. College of American Pathologists.”
Question Bank for ASCP Microbiology
Question bank is a collection of dozen of microbiology queries. You can save your precious time using a question bank.
The American Society For Clinical Pathology will not let you access their question bank but MLSi can. From the MLSi Academy ASCP question bank, you can select queries based on the subject category.
In addition to that, it will provide you with an easy and fastest way to retrieve specialist and technologist in microbiology related queries.
Microbiology Exam Pass Rate Per ASCP Site
| EXAM NAME | FIRST YEAR CERTIFIED | MEAN | STANDARD DEVIATION | MIN. SCORE | MAX. SCORE | TOTAL # TAKING EXAM | TOTAL PASS SCORE | TOTAL PASS % | TOTAL FAIL SCORE | TOTAL FAIL % | TOTAL CERTIFIED |
| BB | 2015 | 418 | 103 | 221 | 649 | 28 | 15 | 54% | 13 | 46% | 86 |
| SBB | 2015 | 315 | 95 | 139 | 444 | 22 | 5 | 23% | 17 | 77% | 18 |
| C | 2015 | 363 | 102 | 131 | 570 | 57 | 20 | 35% | 37 | 65% | 148 |
| SC | 2015 | 445 | 137 | 260 | 664 | 14 | 8 | 57% | 6 | 43% | 50 |
| CG | 2015 | 394 | 114 | 175 | 564 | 19 | 10 | 53% | 9 | 47% | 44 |
| CT | 2015 | 470 | 0 | 470 | 470 | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0 | 0% | 23 |
| SCT | 2015 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| CTgyn | 2010 | 356 | 88 | 212 | 524 | 13 | 4 | 31% | 9 | 69% | 72 |
| H | 2014 | 477 | 148 | 182 | 736 | 34 | 24 | 71% | 10 | 29% | 148 |
| SH | 2015 | 432 | 73 | 344 | 528 | 7 | 5 | 71% | 2 | 29% | 48 |
| HT | 2015 | 446 | 192 | 139 | 791 | 13 | 9 | 69% | 4 | 31% | 38 |
| HTL | 2015 | 446 | 105 | 286 | 760 | 49 | 33 | 67% | 16 | 33% | 159 |
| M | 2015 | 391 | 124 | 100 | 653 | 74 | 37 | 50% | 37 | 50% | 189 |
| SM | 2015 | 375 | 99 | 204 | 615 | 33 | 13 | 39% | 20 | 61% | 48 |
| MB | 2007 | 408 | 118 | 155 | 708 | 97 | 51 | 53% | 46 | 47% | 424 |
| SMB | 2018 | 287 | 69 | 186 | 421 | 13 | 1 | 8% | 12 | 92% | 4 |
| MLS | 2006 | 447 | 161 | 100 | 923 | 3,647 | 2017 | 55% | 1,630 | 45% | 14,767 |
| CLM (Spanish language MLS) | 2009 | 353 | 72 | 273 | 455 | 5 | 1 | 20% | 4 | 80% | 49 |
| MLT | 2006 | 377 | 145 | 100 | 818 | 116 | 51 | 44% | 65 | 56% | 706 |
| PBT | 2007 | 628 | 139 | 231 | 842 | 48 | 45 | 94% | 3 | 6% | 403 |
| SCYM | 2017 | 447 | 132 | 263 | 647 | 19 | 12 | 63% | 7 | 37% | 29 |
| – | – | – | – | – | – | 4,309 | 2,362 | 55% | 1,947 | 45% | 17,454 |
| – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Updated: 1/18/2022 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
ASCP exam pass rate for M and SM is 50% and 39% respectively. The ASCP started technologist and specialist exams in 2015.
The minimum and maximum M (ASCP) score is 100 and 653. For SM (ASCP), the minimum and maximum score up till 2022 is 204 and 615. Up till now, there are 189 ASCP technologists and 48 ASCP specialists.
Expected Salary for ASCP Certified Microbiologist
Microbiology technologist and specialist salary is the pay you longed for. With the American Society For Clinical Pathology certificates, you can achieve your desired job position.
Specialist and technologist are those certificates that can take your microbiology career to another height of success. Average salaries for M (ASCP)CM and SM (ASCP)CM are in the table below:
| Reference Site | M ASCP / SM ASCP | Salary |
| Payscale.com | Microbiology Technologist | $69,000 |
| Payscale.com | Senior Microbiologist | $78,500 |
| Payscale.com | Clinical Laboratory Scientist | $80,000 |
| Payscale.com | Medical Technologist – Microbiology | $44,000 |
| Salary.com | Medical Technologist – Microbiology (US) | $68,901 |
FAQs fro ASCP Microbiology Certification
What Is M(ASCP) Technologist In Microbiology?
Is a laboratory technologist who deals with the microbiology tests and techniques to help the physician in diagnosing and treating disease.
What Is SM(ASCP) Specialist Microbiology?
A laboratory scientist who not only conducts microbiology tests but also supervises lab technologists. He owns more advanced knowledge and leadership skills.
What Is CM In M(ASCP)CM and SM(ASCP)CM?
CM is a symbol of certification maintenance program (CMP) completion. The ASCP certificate validity is three years. After three years, completion of CMP is a must to maintain your ASCP license.
What Is M(ASCP), SM(ASCP) Exam?
M, SM ASCP exam is a computer-based test that comprises 100 questions. The allotted time frame for the exam is 150 minutes. You have to acquire a minimum 400 score to pass the exam. The total exam score is 1000.
What Are The Best M ASCP and SM ASCP Certification Tips?
The best M ASCP and SM ASCP certification tips are:
· Seek help from ASCP certified experts.
· Solve as many practice papers as possible.
· Revise the whole exam content before the final test day.
· Organize and plan your study content before actual exam preparation.
· Use flashcards to faster your learning phase.
· Stay motivated, and don't let your exam fear overcome you.
· You can buy MLSIA premium online M(ASCP) and SM(ASCP) prep courses to ace your exam on the first attempt.
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.
I always dream about to become a specialist in microbial i will be so much happy to see my dream fulfill
ASCP Course Starts soon, If your are qulified send your resume asap to email there https://mlsiacademy.com/ascp-prep-en/spc-c-en/sm/