ASCP Specialist Certification: SM ASCP, SMB ASCP, SC ASCP, SH ASCP, SBB ASCP, SCT ASCP and SCYM ASCP
American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) the presents specialist certification to medical lab specialists after determining their experience and knowledge in their relevant subjects.
ASCP sepcialist certificates enhance the chances of better job opportunities, huge salaries, and greater career satisfaction.
After getting these credentials, you do not need to explain your expertise for a better perspective. Once this certificate is added to your degrees, jobs with great salaries themselves move toward you.
In this article, we will discuss all ASCP specialist certifications, exam content areas, eligibility requirements and ASCP specialist preparation. Besides this, you will learn effective tactics on how to get ASCP specialist certification.
What is ASCP Specialist Certification?
BOC of American Society for Clinical Pathology conducts exams for medical lab specialists to monitor their skills in their areas of interest. Candidates who pass this exam with a minimum of 400 scores get a specialist certificate from BOC.
Board Of certification offers specialist certification in molecular biology, microbiology, chemistry, hematology, blood banking, cytology, and cytometry.
Getting ASCP specialist certification could be a dream for every medical lab specialist because it helps skyrocket success rates, both professionally and financially.
Types of ASCP Specialist Certification
American Society for Clinical Pathology BOC offers the following seven credentials for both U.S. and international candidates.
- Specialist in Microbiology,
- Specialist in Molecular Biology,
- Specialist in Chemistry,
- Specialist in Hematology,
- Specialist in Blood Banking,
- Specialist in Cytology,
- Specialist in Cytometry,
SM ASCP Specialist in Microbiology Certification
SM American Society for Clinical Pathology certificate is for specialists who perform tests in tissue samples to identify the microorganism for diagnosis of infectious disease.
Exam Content Area for SM ASCP
- Laboratory Operations: 20 – 25%
- Analytic Procedures for Bacteriology:30 – 40%
- Preanalytic Procedures: 5 – 10%
- Analytic Procedures For Mycobacteriology, Mycology, Virology, and Parasitology: 30 – 40%
Eligibility Route for Specialist in Microbiology
Both SM ASCP and SM ASCPi have 6 eligibility routes.
Eligibility Route for U.S Candidates
- Route 1: M ASCP or MLS ASCP, a baccalaureate degree, and microbiology clinical experience.
- Route 2: Master’s degree in related content and microbiology clinical experience.
- Route 3: Doctorate in one relevant content area and clinical microbiology post-doctoral fellowship
- Route 4: M or MLS (ASCP) certification, a doctorate in a related field, and microbiology clinical or research experience.
- Route 5: M ASCP or MLS ASCP credential, a baccalaureate degree and experience in clinical microbiology as an academic educator
- Route 6: MLS or M ASCP certificate, microbiology clinical experience and doctorate in related field.
Eligibility Route for International Candidates
- Route 1: M or MLS (ASCP or ASCPi) certification, a baccalaureate degree, and microbiology clinical experience.
- Route 2: Master’s degree in relevant field and microbiology clinical experience.
- Route 3: Doctorate in the related field and microbiology clinical experience
- Route 4: M or MLS (ASCP or ASCPi), a doctorate in relevant subject and microbiology clinical experience.
- Route 5: M or MLS (ASCP or ASCPi) credential, a baccalaureate degree. Microbiology clinical experience as an academic educator.
- Route 6: MLS or M (ASCP or ASCPi), a doctorate in related content area, and microbiology clinical experience.
SM ASCP Exam Preparation
With MLSIA SM prep course that comprises on SM ASCP one unified study material, questions and answers, online live classes and recording of the classes you can earn this certificate confidently.
SMB ASCP Specialist in Molecular Biology Certification
American Society for Clinical Pathology Specialist in molecular biology has advanced knowledge of molecular methodologies and work at an advanced level to offer better results for the diagnosis of disease.
Exam Content Area for SMB ASCP
- Molecular Science:5 – 10%
- Laboratory Operations: 25 – 30%
- Molecular Techniques: 30 – 35%
- Molecular Testing Application: 35 – 40%
Application Requirements for Specialist in Molecular Biology
For U.S. and international candidates, BOC offer six routes.
Eligibility Route for U.S
- Route 1: MB ASCP certificate, a baccalaureate degree, and molecular biology clinical experience.
- Route 2: Master’s degree in a related content area and clinical, veterinary, or research experience in molecular biology
- Route 3: Doctorate in related field and molecular biology post-doctoral fellowship. Or veterinary, clinical or research experience in molecular biology.
- Route 4: MB ASCP certification, a baccalaureate degree, and clinical molecular biology experience as an academic educator.
- Route 5: Doctorate in relevant field, MB(ASCP) certification and clinical molecular biology experience
- Route 6: MB (ASCP) certification, molecular biology experience, and a master’s degree in a similar field.
Eligibility Route for International Candidates
- Route 1: MB ASCP/ASCPi credential, a baccalaureate degree, and clinical, research, or veterinary experience in molecular biology
- Route 2: Clinical, veterinary, or research experience in molecular biology and a master's degree in a pertinent field.
- Route 3: Doctorate in a related field and molecular biology lab experience
- Route 4: MB ASCP/ASCPi certification, a baccalaureate degree, and clinical molecular biology experience
- Route 5: Clinical molecular biology as an academic educator and MB ASCP/ASCPi license
- Route 6: Master's degree in a related field, MB ASCP/ASCPi license, and molecular biology lab experience
SMB (ASCP) Exam Preparation
Your destination comes close to you when you use the right path to get it. For SMB ASCP exam preparation, MLSIA works as a bridge that helps you a lot to push you toward your destination.
SC ASCP Specialist in Chemistry Certification
American Society for Clinical Pathology SC credentials are for those specialists who execute evaluations of body fluids by using sophisticated techniques to determine the presence of chemical or hormonal contents.
Exam Content Area For SC(ASCP) Certification
- Special Chemistry: 15% – 20%
- Laboratory Operations:20% – 25%
- Enzyme and Protein: 15% – 25%
- Acid-Base, Electrolytes, and Blood Gases: 15% – 25%
- General Chemistry: 15% – 20%
SC(ASCP) Certification Eligibility Requirements
BOC ASCP lists six eligibility routes with lab or teaching experience for both U.S. and international applicants.
Eligibility Route for U.S Candidates
- Route 1: A baccalaureate degree, C ASCP or MLS ASCP certification, and three years of lab experience in chemistry.
- Route 2: Master's degree in any relevant subjects and three years of Chemistry clinical experience.
- Route 3: Doctorate in a related field and two years of clinical experience in chemistry.
- Route 4: Chemistry one year of clinical experience, C (ASCP) or MLS (ASCP), and a doctorate in a relevant subject.
- Route 5: Valid C ASCP or MLS (ASCP), baccalaureate degree, and three years of clinical experience in chemistry as an academic educator.
- Route 6: Valid credential of C ASCP or MLS ASCP, a doctorate in chemistry or other related content area, and as an academic educator, one year of chemistry clinical experience.
Eligibility Route for International Candidates
- Route 1: A baccalaureate degree, chemistry clinical experience of three years, and MLS ASCP/ASCPi or C ASCP/ASCPi certification.
- Route 2: Three years of chemistry clinical experience and master’s degree in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or the related subject.
- Route 3: Doctorate in a related field including chemistry or other appropriate relevant field and clinical experience in chemistry.
- Route 4: C ASCP/ASCPi or MLS ASCP/ASCPi credentials, a doctorate in a related field, and chemistry clinical experience
- Route 5: Valid C (ASCP or ASCPi) or MLS (ASCP or ASCPi) certification, a baccalaureate degree, and clinical chemistry experience as an academic educator.
- Route 6: Valid certification of C (ASCP or ASCPi) or MLS (ASCP or ASCPi), a doctorate in relevant content area, and clinical chemistry experience as an academic educator.
SC(ASCP) Exam Prep Package
To sit for the SC ASCP exam confidently, you have to trust any preparation course. An excellent SC prep bundle not only offers you the best study material but also suggestions on how to pass the SC ASCP exam in one sitting. The MLSiACADEMY.com’s prep course is better in this regard.
Features of the MLSIA prep bundle
- Live online classes
- Recording of the classes
- SC ASCP is an all-in-one inclusive study material that concludes all exam content areas in one study source.
- SC ASCP questions and answers
SH ASCP Specialist in Hematology Certification
SH (ASCP) helps physicians in the diagnosis and cure of diseases, including coagulation & hematologic disorders, by performing tests on all body fluids.
Exam Content Area for SH ASCP
- Hematology Physiology: 10 – 15%
- Hemostasis:20 – 25%
- Hematology Laboratory Testing: 20 – 25%
- Laboratory Operations: 15 – 20%
- Hematology disease states: 20 – 25%
Specialist in Hematology ASCP Eligibility Route
The Board of Certification (BOC) mentioned six routes and lab experience.
Eligibility Route for U.S
- Route 1: Valid H ASCP or MLS ASCP credential, a baccalaureate degree and hematology clinical experience.
- Route 2: Master’s degree in relevant field and hematology clinical experience
- Route 3: Doctorate in chemistry or other related subjects. Two-year clinical hematology post-doctoral fellowship.
- Route 4: H (ASCP) or MLS (ASCP), a doctorate in a related field, and clinical experience in hematology.
- Route 5: ASCP (H or MLS) certification, a baccalaureate degree
- Route 6: (H or MLS) ASCP, clinical hematology experience and a doctorate in relevant field.
Eligibility Route for International
- Route 1: H or MLS (ASCP or ASCPi) certification, hematology clinical experience, and a baccalaureate degree.
- Route 2: Master’s degree in a related field and hematology clinical experience.
- Route 3: Doctorate in relevant content area and hematology clinical experience.
- Route 4: H (ASCP or ASCPi) or MLS (ASCP or ASCPi) credential. Hematology clinical or research experience.
- Route 5: H or MLS (ASCP or ASCPi) certification, a baccalaureate degree, and hematology clinical experience as an academic educator.
- Route 6: A doctorate in microbiology or another related field, H (ASCP or ASCPi) or MLS (ASCP or ASCPi) certification. Hematology clinical experience as an academic educator.
SH ASCP Exam Preparation
To make you stand out from others in the ASCP certification world, MLSIA delivers an excellent prep package to pass SH ASCP with a great score.
SBB ASCP Specialist in Blood Banking Certification
SBB are specialists who use advanced procedures to recognize antibodies and blood types by performing routine to complicated tests.
Exam Content Area for SBB(ASCP) Certification
- Blood Products: 10 – 15%
- Blood Group Systems:15 – 20%
- Immunology and Physiology: 15 – 25%
- Serologic and Molecular Testing:20 – 25%
- Transfusion Practice:15 – 20%
- Laboratory Operations: 10 – 15%
Eligibility Requirements for Specialist in Blood Banking
BOC offers seven eligibility routes for U.S. applicants and five for international candidates. Both come with lab experience.
Eligibility Route for U.S. Specialists
- Route 1: Baccalaureate degree in chemistry and biology course and blood bank technology specialist program offered by CAAHEP.
- Route 2: BB ASCP or MLS ASCP certificate, baccalaureate degree, and three years of blood banking clinical experience.
- Route 3: Master’s degree in immunohematology, medical laboratory science, chemistry, or other relevant subject and blood bank three years of clinical experience.
- Route 4: Doctorate in microbiology, immunology, chemistry or appropriately relevant field and two years of clinical experience in blood banks or two years of post-doctoral fellowship in blood bank.
- Route 5: A baccalaureate degree, BB ASCP or MLS ASCP credentials, and three years of clinical experience in a blood bank as an academic educator.
- Route 6: Three years of clinical training in blood banking as an academic educator and a master’s degree in allied health, immunohematology, chemistry, and biology.
- Route 7: Doctorate in immunology, microbiology, or in other relevant content area, valid BB ASCP or MLS ASCP, and one year of clinical or research experience in blood banking.
Eligibility Route for International Specialist
- Route 1: Baccalaureate degree in chemistry or biological science and one year of blood banking clinical training program after baccalaureate degree.
- Route 2: Baccalaureate degree, BB ASCP/ASCPi or MLS ASCP/ASCPi, and three years of clinical experience in blood banking.
- Route 3: A master's degree in any relevant subjects, including chemistry, etc., and immunohematology, with three years of clinical experience.
- Route 4: MLS ASCP/ASCPi or BB ASCP/ASCPi credentials, a baccalaureate degree, and blood banking clinical experience as an academic educator.
- Route 5: Master’s degree in any relevant subjects and, as an academic educator, three years of clinical experience in blood banking.
For both U.S. and international candidates, it is vital that they also have lab or teaching experience in all required procedures in a given time frame with one route.
SBB(ASCP) Specialist Exam Prep
When it comes to SBB preparation course for the ASCP exam, including the SBB ASCP, MLSi ACADEMY services cannot be ignored. MLSIA delivers all exam preparation services, including:
- Online live classes (If you cannot understand lectures one time, you can watch recordings of classes again and again.)
- Recording of the classes
- One unified study material
- Questions and answers for all SBB ASCP content areas that mimic the real exam
SCT ASCP Specialist in Cytology Certification
To get SCT (ASCP) certificate, you must have advanced skills in examining the body fluid from all body sites, including advanced cancer diagnostics, rapid on-site evaluation of needle aspirates, etc.
SCT ASCP Exam Content Area
- Gynecological Cytology: 20 – 25%
- Fine Needle Aspiration and Other: 15 – 25%
- Laboratory Operations: 35 – 40%
- Non-Gynecological Cytology (Respiratory System, Genitourinary System, and Body Cavity Fluids, all offer 5 – 10%): 15 – 25%
Eligibility Criteria for SCT ASCP
BOC stated three routes for the U.S. and two routes for international candidates.
Eligibility Route for U.S Candidates
- Route 1: CT(ASCP) credential, a baccalaureate degree, and cytology clinical experience
- Route 2: CT(ASCP) credential, cytology clinical experience, and a baccalaureate degree
- Route 3: Master’s degree and master’s level cytology program offered by CAAHEP
Eligibility Route for International Candidates
- Route 1: CT(ASCPi) certification, cytology clinical experience, and baccalaureate degree
- Route 2: CT(ASCPi) credential, a baccalaureate degree, and clinical cytology experience as an academic educator.
SCT ASCP Preparation
MLSIA SCT prep course assists you a lot by offering exhaustive learning material, questions and answers related to exam content areas, and live online classes (interactive classes).
SCYM ASCP Specialists in Cytometry Certification
A knowledgeable person in flow cytometry, including regulatory, technical, and quality issues, is the right candidate for SCYM (ASCP) certification.
Exam Content Area for SCYM (ASCP)
- Instrumentation: 15 – 20%
- Data: 15 – 20%
- Lab Operations: 10 – 15%
- Applications: 25 – 30%
- Experiment Design/ Panel: 25 – 30%
Specialists in Cytometry Eligibility Route
BOC established 4 routes with lab experience for both ASCP/ASCPi.
Eligibility Route for U.S Candidates
- Route 1: Baccalaureate degree in related subjects or baccalaureate degree with 30 semesters in biology and 30 in chemistry. Besides this clinical experience/veterinary experience in flow cytometry.
- Route 2: ASCP specialist or technologist certification, a baccalaureate degree, and veterinary or clinical experience in flow cytometry.
- Route 3: Master’s degree in physics and other relevant areas and flow cytometry veterinary or clinical experience.
- Route 4: Doctorate in relevant subjects and flow cytometry experience
Eligibility Route for International Candidates
- Route 1: Four years of clinical or research/veterinary experience in flow cytometry and a baccalaureate degree in relevant subjects, physics, etc.
- Route 2: specialist ASCP/ASCPi or technologist ASCP/ASCPi, a baccalaureate degree, and veterinary, research, and clinical experience in flow cytometry.
- Route 3: Master’s degree in the relevant content area and flow cytometry clinical, research, or veterinary experience
- Route 4: Doctorate in physics or other related field and flow cytometry experience.
SCYM (ASCP) Preparation
To ace your exam syllabus before the final day, MLSIA offers an amazing SCYM prep bundle that covers all exam content in different formats, including PDFs, live classes, and visual illustrations.
ASCP Specialist Certification Cost
The ASCP Specialist certification cost varies for SBB, SC, SCT, SH, SM, SCYM and SMB, as each program has its own set of requirements and eligibility criteria.
Secondly, the ASCP Specialist Certification cost also depends on transcripts equivalency cost and exam fee. The fees of the ASCP Medical Laboratory Specialist exam is based on your country. It’s about $250 but for the middle east and poor countries, it’s $95.
ASCP Specialist Certification Prep Courses
ASCP BOC offers preparation resources in the reading list for each ASCP specialist certification. However, it is not confirmed whether the ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) will choose the exam questions from these resources or not.
Hence, you can rely on MLSiACADEMY.com preparation course for ASCP specialist exam preparation. Prep package includes, live online classes, video recording of the classes, one unified study material and Q&A.
ASCP Specialist Live Classes
MLSIA offers live classes on exam content areas for each ASCP specialist certification. These live classes clear up all your blurred concepts with detailed visual explanations. Experts delivered these video lectures. You can ask any questions from experts in interactive classes.
Live Classes Recording
MLSiACADEMY.com understands the compulsions of students. This is why it not only delivers live lectures but also offers recordings. You can watch the recording again and again till your concept is cleared.
ASCP Specialist Study Material
It is a great effort by MLSIACADEMY's experts that they convert the BOC reading list resources into an all-in-one study source. Despite choosing many study sources, you must trust MLSIA's one unified study material that offers all exam content without any extra information.
ASCP Specialist Q and A
To leave no utterance in your ASCP specialist preparation, MLSiACADEMY.com delivers practice questions. These practice questions mimic the real exam questions. By practicing on the Q&A, you will gain enough confidence to sit in the final exam. Because these questions are taken from a previous exam.
How to Get an ASCP Specialist Certificate?
Some tips to get ASCP specialist certificate
Total Time: 1 minute
Determine Certificate
First and foremost, you should choose your preferred certificate. BOC ASCP offers more than 20 certificates for different fields of medical lab, you can choose one that is related to your expertise.
Match Eligibility
After selecting a certificate, you must match your experience or degree with the BOC-given routes. ASCP BOC offers many routes for each certificate for both U.S. and international candidates. To qualify for the exam, you must meet the requirements of one route.
Collect Wanted Documents
Submit all required documents carefully that may be education degree, or lab experience, etc. Beside this, foreign transcript evaluations, official transcripts, and experience documentation with an authenticity letter are some of the most commonly wanted documents for ASCP exams.
Login to ASCP Website
Create your account on the BOC official website to process the application. Insert all the required information to log in to the website.
Submit Exam Application
After logging into the ASCP website, you will receive the application form. Insert all the required information there, including the email ID. You must add your current email ID because ASCP BOC interacts with you via mail.
Review for Application
BOC ASCP reviews your application within 45 days. So, make sure you add all the mandatory documentation during this phase. Otherwise, BOC treats you as an ineligible candidate.
ASCP Specialist FAQ
What Is SBB ASCP?
SBB ASCP is a specialist in blood banking. SBB is responsible for carrying out various blood examinations. Such Specialists are certified by The American Board of Clinical Pathology, ASCP BOC.
How Do You Become An ASCP Flow Cytometry Specialist?
To become a Flow Cytometry Specialist, first, you must possess a bachelors' degree in biological/life science, physics or engineering. Then pass the ASCP exam.
Why Do We Use Flow Cytometry?
Flow cytometry (FCM) is a procedure that allows cell counting, spectroscopy, immunoassays, genetic sequencing, scattering, particle counting and flow visualization.
How Do You Become A Certified ASCP Cytologist?
A bachelor's degree in cytotechnology, biology, or the life sciences is required to become a cytotechnologist. Apply for ASCP exam and achieve a minimum score of 400 out of 1000
Are ASCP Cytotechnologists In Demand?
The findings of cytotechnologists help physicians to diagnose and treat abnormalities. That's why the demand for cytotechnologists is increasing. The salary and employment opportunities for cytotechnologists vary from region to region.
What is SH ASCP?
SH (ASCP) are individuals who are certfied by the ASCP BOC . They own knowledge and skills in erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets, hemostasis, and labo operations. They have passed the American Board of Clinical Pathology exam , ASC BOC,
What Area Of The Body Does A Hematologist Study?
Haematologists evaluate blood and blood disorders.
What Is An MB ASCP?
This is a Certifications in Molecular Biology by The American Board of Clinical Pathology, ASCP BOC.
How Many Times Can You Take The ASCP? What Happens If You Fail ASCP Exam?
You can take the ASCP exam five times in one eligibility route. After the failure in the fifth attempt, you will become ineligible for the exam under that eligibility route. You will have to apply for the ASCP from different eligibility routes.
What Is An ASCP Certification?
ASCP BOC is a certification agency. It determines the competency of laboratory science personnel by devising the relevant standards. Click here for more info?
What Is An MLS ASCP Degree Medical?
A Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) performs testing on patients samples and biological specimens and reports final results to physicians. They passed the American Board of Clinical Pathology exam, ASCP BOC exam.
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.