SM ASCP Specialist in Microbiology: Certification, Eligibility, Study Guide, Material, Questions & Exam Prep

Microbiology specialists particularly certified SM ASCP have a crucial role in clinical decision making. They provide a piece of critical information to healthcare specialists. Moreover, they discover new diseases and molecular identification methods.

The American Society for Clinical Pathology has introduced SM (ASCP) certificate to make individuals equipped with all the modern and demanding knowledge in Microbiology. In today's article, we will talk about how you can become a ASCP certified specialist in microbiology.

Overview of SM ASCP Specialist in Microbiology

The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), Specialist in Microbiology (SM ASCP ) certification is for medical laboratory professionals with knowledge and skills in the field of bacteriology, mycology, parasitology, mycobacteriology, virology and laboratory operations.

Moreover, microbiology specialists assist doctors in spotting microbial pathogens. The SM certification offers various career growth opportunities to specialists. It includes managerial, leadership, coaching and consultant positions.

Certification Requirements for Specialist in microbiology SM(ASCP)

The ASCP BOC has established a set of qualifications for specialist in microbiology certification. The following routes represents these requirements:

Route 1

• Current ASCP certification in M, MT, or MLS.
• A bachelor’s gradation.
• 3 years of microbiology clinical experience. It’s essential to develop this experience within the previous 6 years.

Route 2

• Master’s degree. It must be in one of the following domains:

Chemistry, Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, Allied Health, Medical Science Laboratory and Any other relevant domain

• 3 years of microbiology clinical experience. It’s mandatory to accomplish this involvement within the previous 6 years.

Route 3

• PhD degree. However, you should acquire it in any of the following subjects:

Chemistry, Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, Allied Health, Medical Science Laboratory and Any other relevant domain

• 2 years of doctoral fellowship after PhD. This ought to be in clinical microbiology. Meanwhile, it is compulsory to gain this in the U.S. or Canada. OR 2 years of microbiology clinical experience. However, it’s important to gain this practice within the last 5 years.

Route 4

• Credible ASCP BOC Certification as M, MT, or MLS.
• PhD. Moreover, you have to attain it in any one subject given below:

Chemistry, Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, Allied Health, Medical Science Laboratory or Any other relevant domain

• 1 year of microbiology clinical experience. However, you have to accomplish this training within the former 5 years. OR 1 year of research familiarity in microbiology. Moreover, this research expertise should have been learned inside the Canada or US in the past 5 eons.

Route 5

• Unexpired M, MT or MLS certification by American Society for Clinical Pathology.
• A bachelor’s gradation.
• 3 years of coaching experience in clinical microbiology. It’s required to develop this expertise within the previous 6 years.

Route 6

• Valid M, MT, MLS certification from American Society for Clinical Pathology.
• PhD from a recognized organization. This degree must be in:

Chemistry, Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, Allied Health, Medical Science Laboratory or Any other relevant domain

• 1 year of teaching experience in clinical microbiology. . It’s a requirement to attain this skill inside the former 6 years.

Clinical Lab or Coaching Experience

To become a certified Specialist in Microbiology by the American Society for Clinical Pathology, it’s necessary to gain clinical or coaching expertise in any of the four domains from the following:

• Virology
• Mycobacteriology
• Molecular Microbiology
• Bacteriology
• Parasitology
• Mycology

Eligibility Assessment for SM ASCP Specialist in Microbiology

For specialist in microbiology, there are 6 various eligibility routes. It’s crucial to satisfy the provisions of 1 route. If you are unsure that you are eligible for ASCP certification in microbiology as a specialist, then follow the guide below.

1. Step 1

Go to the ASCP eligibility inspector. The ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) develops this assistant. Its main purpose is to facilitate those individuals who want to become ASCP Specialists in microbiology. SM application fee is non-returnable. So, you can use this tool to confirm your eligibility. In today’s article, we are checking SM ASCP route 1 eligibility.

2. Step 2

Open American Society for Clinical Pathology BOC admissibility checker. Give consent to Board of Certification rules. For this, select the checkbox at the end. Then, proceed further by clicking on begin push button.

3. Step 3

Here you can view a list of diverse ASCP BOC credentials. These official American Society for Clinical Pathology credentials have been classified as highest volume and additional endorsements.

Select SM – Specialist in Microbiology from the segment of additional ASCP certifications. Then, proceed further by pressing the next push button.

4. Questionnaire Route 1

Now respond to degree, training and experience related quizzes. For this, you have to check the radio button with the desired answer. Press the next push button after acknowledging each question.

5. Question # 01: Do You Have A Valid (Not Expired) ASCP MT, MLS or M Certification?

Select the radio button with the yes option. Then, press the next push button to move to another question.

6. StepQuestion # 02: Do You Have A Baccalaureate Degree From A Regionally Accredited College Or University?

Again, select the radio button with the yes option. Then, press the next push button to continue.

7. Question # 03: Do You Have Three Years Of Full Time* Acceptable Experience In The Clinical Laboratory In Microbiology In The U.S., Canada Or An Accredited** Laboratory Within The Last Six Years?

Check the radio button with the yes option. Then, press the next push button. Moreover, you can read all the experience related details below.

8. Question # 04: Were These Three Years Of Experience Acquired Post-Baccalaureate Degree?

Hit the radio button with yes in front of it. Then, click the next push button.

9. ASCP Specialist In Microbiology Eligibility Results

After responding to all the queries, you will see admissibility results for SM (ASCP). Other than this, you can also analyze the questionnaire summary. By pressing the previous push button, you can return to any question to change your response.

SM ASCP Microbiology Specialist Certification Exam

Specialist in microbiologhy exam question comprises 100 queries. 2 hours 30 minutes (150 minutes) is the allocated time period. The exam is adminstratd by computer adaptive testing. Additionally, each question has an alternate score. The score relies upon the complexity level of the query.

SM (ASCP) Study Guidelines Per BOC Site

The exam questions for SM ASCP divides into 4 parts of microbiology. Those four microbiology disciplines are:

• Analytic Procedures for Mycobacteriology, Virology, Parasitology, and Mycology.
• Laboratory Operations.
• Preanalytic Procedures.
• Bacteriology Analytic Procedures.

The significant part of the SM questions deals with the Bacteriology Analytic Procedures and Mycobacteriology, Virology, Parasitology, and Mycology Analytic Procedures (i.e. 30 – 40 percent each).

However, Preanalytic Procedures covers simply 5 to 10 percent of the SM ASCP test. Moreover, Laboratory Operations questions go just from 20 to 25 percent. These four subject areas are further divided into the following content areas:

Mycobacteriology, Virology, Parasitology, and Mycology Analytic Procedures

It comprises Serology, Major Pathogens, Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing, Identification Methods, Specimen Sources and the Disease States.

Laboratory Operations

It covers Laboratory Administration, Safety, Postanalytic Procedures, Laboratory Mathematics, Instrumentation, Quality Assessment and Troubleshooting.

Preanalytic Procedures

It consists of Stains Interpretation, Procedure and Principle, Specimen Processing, Specimen Collection and Transport and Bacteriology Analytic Procedures.

Bacteriology Analytic Procedures

It includes a vast range of microbiology contents, such as BSL-3 Pathogens and Select Agents, Upper Respiratory, Genital Tract, Bone Marrow, Blood, Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing and Antibiotic Resistance. Furthermore, it contains Cerebrospinal Fluid, Gastrointestinal, Lower Respiratory, ESBL/CRE Screening, Body Fluids of Sterile Spots, Identification Methods, Soft Tissue/Skin/Bone, MRSA/MSSA, Urine and VRE.

SM ASCP Exam Reading List According to BOC Site

The BOC has not finalized any reading material to prepare for SM (ASCP) certificate. It has just recommended a few volumes and online means to help individuals in becoming ASCP Specialists in microbiology. So, below is the list of those books.

For Molecular And Immunology

Grasp these volumes to prepare yourself for SM Molecular And Immunology subject. We are quoting from the ASCP site the following:

• 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.

ASCP Board Of Certification (BOC)

For Mycology And Virology

Carry these books to set yourself up for Mycology And Virology subject:

• 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.”

ASCP Board Of Certification (BOC)

For Clinical Microbiology

For Clinical Microbiology, you can consult from these books:

• 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.

ASCP Board Of Certification (BOC)

For Laboratory Management

For Laboratory Management research, refer to these bulks:

• 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.

ASCP Board Of Certification (BOC)

For Parasitology

For solving Parasitology queries in the ASCP specialist in microbiology exam, ASCP has suggested these masses:

• 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.

ASCP Board Of Certification (BOC)

Recommended Online Resources Per ASCP Site

• CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
• ASM (American Society of Microbiology) – ClinMicroNow.
• CDC’s – DPDx (Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria).
• CLSI Publications (Clinical And Laboratory Standards Institute).
• CAP (College of American Pathologists).

How To Become ASCP Certified Specialist in Microbiology?

To advance your career as an ASCP Specialist in microbiology, you have to follow the next steps:

Exam Preparation for SM (ASCP) Microbiology Specialist

To become ASCP Specialist in microbiology in the first exertion requires a lot of struggle and hard work. Other than exam preparation, it’s also vital to look for guidance from ASCP Certified International Specialists in Microbiology.

MLSi Academy is an eminent institute that provides you with the opportunity to learn from Industry Specialists. Our SM ASCP preparation course comprises live classes, one study source and Q&A. Also, you can consult with our certified professionals who have been through it before.

SM (ASCP) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)