C (ASCP) Technologist in Chemistry: Certification Routes, Study Material Guide & Exam Questions and Prep Course!

We are all living in a world besieged with competition. Competition for jobs, better pay, and ultimately, better life is getting more intense by the day. In the midst of it all, one thing that can always help you stand out from the rest is certification like C ASCP technologist in chemistry.  

Technologist Professional certifications like the C ASCP technologist offer you leverage in your career. It distinguishes you from other clinical chemistry technologists. Beyond it all, it is a clear testament to your skills and knowledge. However, it comes with a price. So what does it take to earn a C ASCP technologist in chemistry?

What Does C ASCP Mean for Technologist in Chemistry?

Every medical diagnosis is preceded by an infallible lab test. Anytime you fall sick, your physician will most likely direct you to take a lab test. Your physician has so much trust in lab personnel to help diagnose your ailment.

These well-trained and highly qualified lab personnel work by conducting a series of tests on your tissues, cells, urine, or bodily fluids. One of the vital personnel in the whole lab work is the clinical chemistry technologist. The major duty of clinical chemistry technologists is examining DNA, analyzing cells, and determining the chemical composition of samples. And he achieves all these by applying chemical processes.

Of course, professional certification is important in every field of work. While it's not mandatory to get certification as a clinical chemistry technologist, you stand to gain so much when your arm yourself with the right certification.

Certification adds credibility to your expertise. Although it is a great investment of time and resources, it provides immediate recognition for your specialized knowledge and skill set, which plays a significant role when it comes to landing certain jobs.

The most common and inarguably the best certification any clinical chemistry technologist will ever go for is the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Technologist in Chemistry (C) certification. The million-dollar question remains, How can one get the Technologist in Chemistry C (ASCP) certification, what is the requirement, nature of the exam, and how can one prepare for the exam?

C ASCP Vs C ASCPi

The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) offers many credentials for clinical technologists, laboratory technicians, and other professionals. This certification not only tests their knowledge, experience, and skill set but impacts more profound knowledge. Earning this certification is only possible by combining knowledge, experience, and passing the credentialing exam.

Whether you call it ASCP or ASCPi, earning this certification is your surest evidence of knowledge, competence, and commitment to your career.

While the American Society for Clinical Pathology BOC is in charge of both the ASCP and ASCPi certification, they're mostly the same thing, except in name and location.

The ASCP is purely designed for residents of the United States. However, you must not be a citizen or resident of the US to be eligible for the glorious certification. This is where the ASCPi comes in.

If you've studied or live outside the US and aspire to earn this certification, the international ASCP credential, otherwise called ASCPi is for you. The ASCPi embodies everything about the ASCP. The standards, credential maintenance, contents, and exams are similar. However, there's a slight tweak in their eligibility requirement.

Eligibility Requirement for Technologist in Chemistry C (ASCP)

While the ASCP and ASCPi are equivalent certifications, they come with slightly different eligibility requirements.

US Eligibility Routes (C ASCP Chemistry Technologist)

To be eligible for this certification exam, applicants must satisfy one of the following,

• Route 1: Must have valid MLS (ASCP) certification and a baccalaureate from a recognized higher institute of learning
• Route 2: Major in chemistry or biological science with a Baccalaureate from a recognized college or university and a year of full-time experience in chemistry within the past five years.
• Route 3: A baccalaureate degree with a major in chemistry or biological science and completion of a chemistry program, endorsed by the NAACLS accredited Medical Laboratory Scientist program, not more than five years ago.
• Route 4: A master's degree in chemistry or any related field and a six-month full-time experience in chemistry from a reputable lab not less than five years ago.
• Route 5: Baccalaureate degree in medical laboratory science from a recognized college or university, and a completion of a NAACLS-approved program as a Medical Laboratory Science, not less than five years ago.

International Eligibility Routes for Technologist in Chemistry C ASCPi

• Route 1: Must have valid MLS (ASCPi) certification and a baccalaureate from a recognized higher institute of learning.
• Route 2:Baccalaureate from a reputable college or university in chemistry or biological science. Also, must possess a year of full-time experience in chemistry within the past five years.
• Route 3: Baccalaureate from a reputable college or university in chemistry or biological science and completion of chemistry clinical training program and internship.
• Route 4: A master's degree in chemistry or any related field and a six-month of experience in chemistry from a reputable lab.
• Route 5: Baccalaureate degree in medical laboratory science from a reputable college or university, and completion of a Medical Laboratory training program.

Clinical Laboratory Experience for ASCP & ASCPi

In order to meet the experience requirement for the ASCP/ ASCPi technologist in chemistry examination, you must have clinical laboratory experience in 8 of the 15 procedures including:
Blood gases, Electrophoresis, Enzymes, Carbohydrates, Electrolytes, Heme compounds, Hormones/vitamins, Immunochemistry, Lipids/lipoproteins, non-protein nitrogen compounds, Point-of-care, Proteins, Quality management, Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), and Toxicology

C ASCP Exam for Technologist In Chemistry

The ASCP's Board of Certification offers the C (ASCP) Technologist in Chemistry exam for those wishing to become ASCP certified as a chemistry technologist and advance their career. The exam is designed to test candidates' knowledge across various topics in chemistry and laboratory operations.

Beyond being eligible to take the Chemistry C ASC certification exam, anyone who wishes to get this certification must apply online and pay a non-refundable application fee of $250 (for ASCP) or $210 (for ASCPi). After that, you can do the necessary documentation (including transcripts, diplomas, and work experience) and wait for a review.

Upon successful review, you can schedule your exam. This exam, which will be administered through the CAT system (computer adaptive testing), comes with 100 multi-choice questions. Every successful candidate is required to attempt all questions within 2 and a half hours.

Should you miss your exam for any reason, you must have to reapply. However, you can always reschedule your exam appointment by contacting “Pearson VUE”. This must be done at least, 24 hours before your exam day and time. Successful rescheduling will be followed by an email for confirmation.

While you'll only get a “pass” or “fail” status after taking the exam, you'll get an email notification on your passing score report within four business days. The BOC scales every candidate on a range of 0 to 999, with 400 as the minimum passing score.

C ASCP Technologist Study Guide & Exam Content

To make it easier for every candidate, the BOC makes no secret of the exam content areas and percentages. They include,

• General Chemistry (15-25%)
• Protein and Enzyme (15-25%)
• Acid-base, Electrolytes, and Blood Gasses (15-25%)
• Special Chemistry (15-20%)
• Laboratory Operations (15-20%)

BOC Reading List for C ASCP

Dropping content areas is hardly enough to help candidates pass. The ASCP BOC perfectly understands this and that, and the BOC offers a comprehensive guide of journals, texts, and online materials for every candidate to review when preparing for this career-uplifting exam. Carefully reviewing this list is one key step to passing the exam. Some of the BOC reading list includes,

Text Books

“Contemporary Practice in Clinical Chemistry. 4th Edition” by W. Clarke & M. Marzinke.

“Clinical Chemistry: Principles, Techniques, and Correlations. 9th Edition” by M.L. Bishop et al.

“Laboratory Safety: A Self Assessment Workbook. 2nd Edition” by D.L Davis.

“Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. 8th edition” by Rifia N et al.

Online Resources

American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC)

AACC Clinical Chemistry Trainee Council (CCTC)

Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)

Laboratory Medicine Practice Guidelines (LMPGs)

Journals

“Clinical Laboratory Science” by American Society of Clinical Laboratory Science.

“Laboratory Medicine” by Oxford University Press

“Clinical Chemistry” by Oxford University Press.

Study Material for C ASCP Technologist in Chemistry

While the BOC has graciously made available content areas and reading lists, one can easily get lost in the ocean of things to cover. But all hope is not lost.

 MLSIA Academy offers comprehensive and conclusive study material to help you pass this certificate exam. This inspiring study material has been a source of hope to many Clinical Chemistry Technologists hoping to take their career to the next level. It covers all the BOC content areas and briefly examines everything in the reading list in an easy-to-understand tone.  

When you get this study material, rest assured that all the core topics in all content areas are carefully exposed.

What About The C ASCP Test Practice?

In everything you do, practice is vital to your success. The same applies to studying for the C ASCP exam. And that's why MLSi Academy offers a test practice.

Before you sit for the professional test, we have designed a system that will get you very acquainted with the professional exam questions and format. With this specially formulated test practice, you can easily pinpoint your areas of strength and weakness. Beyond helping to identify your weak areas, we are also here to help you fix what needs to be fixed.

Our hundreds of practice questions cover all the core areas highlighted by the ASCP BOC, testing your knowledge in these areas. It also helps you know how to manage your time better.

What better way can you boost your confidence and eliminate any lingering fear about the exam than with our test practice?

C ASCP Exam Prep for Technologists in Chemistry

While the CAT system makes the exam more streamlined to each individual's ability level, it doesn't take away the fact that passing the Chemistry C ASCP technologist certification is as tough as anything of high value. This is where the highly revered MLSIA C ASCP exam Prep course package comes in!!!

This phenomenal course is dutifully packaged by professionals in the clinical chemistry technologist field, who all share the same passion–to help many people earn this life-changing certificate, respective of country of residence.

Signing up for this superb preparation course gives you unlimited access to,

• Flexible live classes
• Unified study source
• Practice Questions & Answers
• Interactive tools
• Mouth-watering sign up to bonuses

How to Become C ASCP Technologist in Chemistry

Voila!! You're successful. Now prepare for the greater journey ahead in your profession.

FAQs for C ASCP