CT ASCP Cytologist Certification Routes, Study Material Guide & Exam Questions and Prep Course!

CT (ASCP) Cytologist Certification is a big step toward your CT career. It turns your entire life not only professionally but also financially.

The responsibility of the Cytologist (CT) is the preparation and evaluation of human cellular samples from the entire body to detect infectious agents, cancer, inflammatory processes, pre-cancerous changes, and benign tumors by following the direction of the pathologist.

They may also assist in quality assurance activities, attend fine needle aspirations, and prepare specimens.

What Does CT (ASCP) Mean?

CT (ASCP) Cytologist Certification is offered by the Board of Certification (BOC) the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).

To become CT ASCP technologist in cytology , you have to pass the BOC exam that is conducted to monitor your skill and knowledge in four content areas of Cytology, including Gynecological Cytology, Laboratory Operations, Fine Needle Aspiration and Other, and Non-Gynecological Cytology (sub-categories Body Cavity Fluids, Genitourinary System and Respiratory System)

What Difference CT (ASCP) and CT (ASCPi)?

BOC offer certificate for both U.S. and international candidates. Therefore CT (ASCP) is a certificate for U.S. candidates and CT (ASCPi) for international candidates.

Requirements for CT ASCP Cytologist

To qualify for the CT (ASCP) exam, applicants must meet the BOC-recommended specific criteria for the exam. BOC ASCP offers different routes for international and U.S. candidates that are;

Eligibility Routes for CT ASCP (U.S. Cytologist)

BOC offers only one route for U.S. candidates.

• Route 1: Baccalaureate degree from an approved college or university, OR, Within the last five years, completed CAAHEP accredited Cytotechnology program.

Eligibility Routes for CT (ASCPi) (International Cytologist)

The Board of Certification offers four routes for international candidates with lab experience and Cytologists (previously Cytotechnologists) – CAAHEP & CLIA Regulatory Requirements.

• Route 1: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, or Successful completion of acceptable Cytotechnology clinical training program with internship

• Route 2: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, or, Within the last six years, three years of approved clinical experience from an approved/accredited laboratory

• Route 3: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, or CT(IAC) certification

• Route 4: Acceptable Ctgyn (ASCPi) certification, or Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, OR, From an approved lab, two years of clinical experience

Laboratory Experience

Candidates must meet the requirements of lab experience in four content areas including Gynecological cytology, Non-gynecological cytology, Fine needle aspiration (FNA), and Laboratory operations to qualify for the CT (ASCPi) test.

Cytologists (previously Cytotechnologists) – CAAHEP & CLIA Regulatory Requirements.

According to U.S. law (CLIA ’88-Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1988)

• All candidates practicing cytology in the U.S. must have completed the Cytotechnology /Cytology program by CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs)
• Cytologists with SCT(ASCPi), CTgyn(ASCPi), or CT(ASCPi) certification are not qualified to practice in the U.S

CT ASCP Exam for Technologist in Cytology

BOC ASCP offers 100 questions by selecting different percentages of questions from each relevant content including Gynecological cytology (40 – 45), laboratory operations (15 – 20%), fine needle aspiration and others (10 – 15%) and Non-Gynecological Cytology (25 – 35%) (Sub-categories body cavity fluids, genitourinary system, and respiratory system (8 – 12% for each)).To pass this exam, candidates must have a strong hold on all four content areas.

BOC gives 2 hours and 30 minutes to solve this 100 MCQs test.  The certification tests are administered using the layout of computer adaptive testing.

The CAT format shows the next question by monitoring your knowledge of recommended subjects. If your answer is incorrect, the upcoming question will be easier than the previous one, but if the answer is correct, the next question will be a little tougher than the last one.

CT ASCP Study Guide and Exam Content Guidelines

Study guide is the exam syllabus that is recommended by BOC for the ASCP CT exam. BOC offers clear content guidelines with subjects, topics, and subtopics for exam preparation.

Gynecological Cytology Study Guide

BOC is divided it the following content areas;

• Anatomy, embryologic origins, and physiology
• Histology & normal cellular morphology
• Biologic behavior, cytopathology, and pathology

Non-Gynecological Cytology Study Guide

It has three main parts;

• Respiratory system
• Genitourinary system
• Body cavity fluids

These three parts are further divided into the following categories:

• Anatomy, embryologic origins, and physiology
• Histology & normal cellular morphology
• Biologic behavior, cytopathology, and pathology

Fine Needle Aspiration and Others Study Guide

The content areas for this part are:

• Anatomy, embryologic origins, and physiology
• Histology & normal cellular morphology
• Biologic behavior, cytopathology, and pathology
• Triage of FNA and rapid onsite evaluation
•  EBUS/EUS, FNA

Laboratory Operations Study Guide

BOC ASCP divides the content area for lab operation into seven main categories.

• Quality Management
• Cytopreparation/Instrumentation techniques (special Technique, processing, and collection)
• Infection control and safety (NIOSH, NFPA, SDS, OSHA)
• Companion diagnostics

BOC Reading List for CT (ASCP)

The following resource list is only a partial reference for the CT ASCP test. It is not sure that BOC chooses exam questions from these resources.

Journal

• ACTA Cytologica: The Journal of Clinical Cytology and Cytopathology. Published by Karger International
• AJCP: American Journal of Clinical Pathology. Published by Oxford University Press.
• Cancer Cytopathology. Published by the American Cancer Society and John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
• Diagnostic Cytopathology. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
• Journal of the American Society of Cytopathology. Published by Elsevier.
• Perkins, R.B., et. al. (2020). 2019 ASCCP Risk-Based Management Consensus Guidelines for the Management of
• Abnormal Cervical Cancer Screening Tests and Cancer Precursors. Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease, 24(2), 102-131. https://doi: 10.1097/LGT.0000000000000525

Textbook

General

• Cytology: Diagnostic Principles and Clinical Correlates 5th Edition
• Quick Compendium for Cytopathology
• Diagnostic Pathology: Cytopathology 3rd Edition

Diagnostic Cytopathology

• The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology: Definitions, Criteria, and Explanatory Notes 2nd ed. 2018 Edition
• Comprehensive Cytopathology: Expert Consult: Online and Print 4th Edition
• The Art & Science of Cytopathology (4 Volume Set)
• The Book of Cells: A Breviary of Cytopathology
• Practical Principles of Cytopathology Revised First Edition
• The Bethesda System for Reporting Cervical Cytology: Definitions, Criteria, and Explanatory Notes
• The Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytology

Cytopathology Preparation

• The Art & Science of Cytopathology (4 Volume Set)
• Cytopreparation: Principles & Practice (Essentials in Cytopathology, 12)
• Diagnostic Pathology: Cytopathology 3rd Edition
• CellBlockistry 101: Text Book of Cell-blocking science (CMAS (CytoJournal Monograph / Atlas Series))

Laboratory Management

• Cytology: Diagnostic Principles and Clinical Correlates 5th Edition
• Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 42. 493.Public Health—Laboratory Requirements. Washington D.C.: U.S. Government Publishing Office.

Molecular Techniques and Applications

• Molecular Diagnostics: Fundamentals, Methods, and Clinical Applications Third Edition
• Molecular Diagnostics in Cytopathology: A Practical Handbook for the Practicing Pathologist 1st ed. 2019 Edition

Study Guide

• Cytopathology Review Guide 4th Edition

Online Association

• American Society for Cytotechnology (ASCT)
• American Society of Cytopathology (ASC)
• Bethesda System Website Atlas
• Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
• The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)
• Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytopathology
• PathologyOutlines.com
• Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology: Thyroid Image Atlas

Study Material for CT ASCP Technologist in Cytology

Excellent study material will offer you excellent success in exams. Your study material works as an instructor that helps you to understand the complicated concept, simplifies the tough topics, and covers all exam requirements in one unified study material, eliminating the need to buy more than one learning material for exam preparation. Your study material must have the following features.

Conclusive (Cover exam Syllabus)

Your CT ASCP learning material must be conclusive and able to cover essential concepts for exam preparation. BOC offers many resources for exam preparation, but all of these are very complicated, making examinees unable to understand their concepts. Therefore, you must pick a conclusive learning material.

Comprehensive (Describe essential concept)

The CT ASCP exam has a huge syllabus that is difficult to cover overall. You must choose study material that covers only essential and required concepts instead of essential and unessential.

One Unified Study Material (All-in-one solution)

It must be able to cover the CT ASCP exam syllabus into one unified study material and eliminate the need to choose other study material for exam preparation.

Affordable Budget

Your learning material must have an affordable budget. It must be within reach of every candidate.

Easily Understandable

The best learning material must add visual content such as drawings, images, or diagrams to make the content more understandable. Therefore, always choose materials that offer many ways to make the concept easy.

MLSIACADEMY offers one unified, conclusive, easy-to-understand, and comprehensive study material for CT ASCP exam preparation. To achieve the ASCP credential in one sitting, you must trust MLSIA.

Practice Test for CT ASCP Certification

Practice tests play an important role in exam preparation. By using practice tests, you can know the exact percentage of your exam preparation. Furthermore, you may know which subjects require high attention and which do not. With time, you become an expert on your relevant subject by using practice tests.

MLSIACADEMY offer effective practice test with the CT ASCP exam prep bundle. This test covers all important concepts for this exam effectively.

Question Bank for CT ASCP Exam

A question bank is a collection of important and selective questions that is stored for repeated use in an exam. By using a question bank, you can understand the important questions for the test.

Although BOC offers many resources for exam preparation, you cannot find the question bank or practice test there. But MLSIA fulfills all your exam requirements by offering a question bank for exam preparation.

Pass Rate of CT ASCP Exam

CT ASCP Exam Prep for Cytologist

BOC provides many exam preparation resources in the CT ASCP reading list, but candidates require some alternative resources that help to clear every blurred concept with diagrams, images, or in other ways.

MLSIACADEMY perp course bundle offers very effective resources for the CT (ASCP) exam that not only help in learning but also clear each concept step by step that is stored in mind for a long time. You can get by MLSIA.

• One Unified Study Material
• Questions and Answers
• Practice Test
• Question Banks
• Live Classes

How To Become a CT (ASCP) Cytologist?

Becoming a CT (ASCP) Cytologist could be the dream of every medical lab assistant. But how will it be possible to achieve a CT ASCP credential by passing the BOC ASCP challenging exam? Here we tell you some valuable strategies to pass this exam.

 Focus on Every Weak Point

CT ASCP has four cytology content areas including Gynecological Cytology, Laboratory Operations, Fine Needle Aspiration and Other, and Non-Gynecological Cytology (subcategories Body Cavity Fluids, Genitourinary System, and Respiratory System) for exam. You must cover all important concepts of these content areas. Because the ASAP test is an MCQ exam, a single piece of information would be valuable.

Use Question Bank and Practice Test

You can prepare yourself for the exam by using a question bank and practice test with ease. The question bank and practice test cover the important and repeated questions that help a lot to understand the format and important questions for the exam. In this regard, MLSIA offers an excellent practice test and questions bank for the CT ASCP test.

Choose a Valuable Learning Material

An excellent learning material offers outstanding success in exams. So be conscious of selecting learning material for exam preparation. MLSIA prep course bundle offers excellent all-in-one study material with live classes and questions and answers. You can buy this prep bundle on an affordable budget.

Act Upon Your Study Schedule

You must make an effective study schedule for exam preparation.

• Fix some hours (5-6) for everyday study.
• Divide this time for all subjects ( fix more time for the subjects that you consider tough)
• Fix one hour for revision and practice

Frequently Asked Questions for CT ASCP