M (ASCP) Technologist in Microbiology: Certification Routes, Study Material Guide & Exam Questions Prep Course!

The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), Technologist in Microbiology (M ASCP) identifies bacteria, viruses, moulds and parasites in tissue specimens and body fluids to help in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. Candidate must have both education & experience prerequisites to pass the exam in order to be awarded (M ASCP)^CM certificate.

Microbiology technologist has a very important role in medical and healthcare. Furthermore, it plays a vital role in combating disease. So, due to its significance, the International M ASCP Microbiology certification demand has increased.

Do you want career advancement in microbiology? Then, go for the M (ASCP) certification. Furthermore, American Society For Clinical Pathology technologist microbiology certification will provide you with the latest skills and knowledge in this area.

It has a rewarding career. Furthermore, there are many opportunities for career advancement for ASCP technologists in microbiology.

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What Does M (ASCP) Stand For?

M (ASCP) stands for a certfied medical technologist in microbiology by American Society For Clinical Pathology. It is an American Board Certification. The ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) offers this certificate for internationals as well as for USA citizens.

In addition to that, ASCP Technologist in Microbiology determines bacteria, viruses, moulds and parasites in tissues and body fluids. Furthermore, they assist physicians in diagnosing and treating diseases.

Certification Routes and Eligibility Requirements for M ASCP

To become a certified ASCP Technologist in Microbiology by American Society For Clinical Pathology, you have to satisfy all the eligibility requirements of a single route.

So, eligibility routes for are as follow:

Route 1

• A bachelor’s degree. But, it must be from an accredited institute.
• Valid MT/ MLS(ASCP) certification.

Route 2

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institute. However, major subjects must be biological science or chemistry. OR 30 semester hours in biology and chemistry.
• One year of clinical experience in microbiology. Furthermore, you should have gained this from the last five years.

Route 3

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institute. But, your major subjects must be biological science or chemistry. OR 30 semester hours in biology and chemistry.
• Completion of a microbiology program from a NAACLS accredited Medical Laboratory. However, it must be from the last five years.

Route 4

• Master’s degree from an accredited institute. And it should be in microbiology or another related field.
• Clinical experience of six months in the microbiology laboratory. And you must have acquired it from the last five years.

Route 5

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institute. Furthermore, it must be in medical laboratory science. OR a bachelor’s with 30 semester hours in biology and chemistry.
• Completion of Medical Laboratory Scientist Program accredited by NAACLS. And it must be from the last five years.

Clinical Laboratory Experience

For technoilogist in microbiology certification by ASCP, you must have experience in three areas from the following. Furthermore, this experience should be from the last five years.

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

Eligibility Check for ASCP Technologist in Microbiology Requirements

Firstly, check your eligibility before applying for exam. Because you will not get back your exam application fee. Finally, the American Society for Clinical Pathology BOC has devised an eligibility assistant. So, you can check your eligibility results before applying.

In short, the eligibility assistant acts as a guide. So, you can decide whether to apply for ASCP Microbiology certification or not.

Therefore, go to the American Society For Clinical Pathology examination eligibility assistant. For example, we are here considering route 1. So, follow the below steps to view your eligibility results.

1. ASCP Eligibility Assistant

Firstly, agree to the ASCP conditions. So, check the checkbox. Then press begin to continue.

2. Select ASCP BOC Certification

Secondly, select the ASCP certification program. Every American Board Certification has a specific set of requirements.

3. Then, check the M – Technnologist

M – Technologist in Microbiology for ASCP certification. It is under the umbrella of Additional Certificates. After that, press next.

4. M ASCP Questionnaire

Now you have to fill in the questions. However, the questions are about your degree and clinical experience.

5. Question 1: Do you have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university?

Firstly, select yes. Then click on the Next button.

6. Question 2: Do you have a valid (not expired) ASCP MT or MLS certification?

Again, click yes. Then press next. Meanwhile, you will see the progress bar at the bottom. However, you can go back to the previous question at any stage. Just press the previous button to proceed back.

7. M ASCP Eligibility Results

Finally, check your eligibility results. The results here show the fulfilment of requirements of route 1. to start yourself go for eligibity assistant here.

M ASCP Technologist in Microbiology Exam

Microbiology certification by American Society For Clinical Pathology question consists of 100 queries. Meanwhile, the allotted technologist in microbioogy exam time frame is 2 hours and 30 minutes. Furthermore, the passing score for ASCP Microbiology certification is 400. However, you have to answer correctly as many questions as possible.

Above all, the score of each question is different. Most importantly, the score assigns according to the difficulty level.

Computer Adaptive Testing

The exam is adminstrated by computer adaptive testing (CAT). Furthermore, in CAT, the computer shows the next question according to your previous answer. In short, if you solve the question correctly, the computer will display the difficult question next. However, if you attempt the question wrong, the computer will throw an easy query.

M (ASCP) Exam Study Guide (Content) Per The BOC

You have to study four subjects to become a certfied ASCP technologist in microbiology by American Society For Clinical Pathology. So, these subjects along with their percentages are:

• Preanalytic Procedures (10 – 15%)
• Analytic Procedures for Bacteriology (45 – 55%)
• Analytic Procedures for Mycobacteriology, Virology, Parasitology, and Mycology (20 – 30%)
• Laboratory Operations (10 – 15%)

The content areas of the following subjects are as follow:

Preanalytic Procedures

• Specimen Collection and Transport
• Specimen Processing
• Stains (Procedure, Principle, and Interpretation)

Analytic Procedures for Bacteriology

• Blood and Bone Marrow
• Cerebrospinal Fluid
• Body Fluids From Normally Sterile Sites
• Lower Respiratory
• Upper Respiratory
• Gastrointestinal
• Skin/Soft Tissue/Bone
• Genital Tract
• Urine
• Identification Methods
• Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing and Antibiotic Resistance
• MRSA/MSSA
• VRE
• ESBL/CRE Screening
• BSL-3 Pathogens
• Select Agents (Bioterrorism)

Analytic Procedures for Mycobacteriology, Virology, Parasitology, and Mycology

• Specimen Sources
• Major Pathogens
• Disease States
• Identification Methods
• Serology

Laboratory Operations

M ASCP Technologist in Microbiology Reading Material

Following reference books, journals and online sources is recommended by the BOC to help you in M ASCP preparation.

Clinical Microbiology

• Carroll, K.C., et al. (Eds.). (2019). Manual of Clinical Microbiology (12th ed.). Washington D.C.: ASM Press.
• De La Maza, L.M. et al. (2020). Color Atlas of Medical Bacteriology (3rd ed.). Washington, D.C.: ASM Press.
• Hata, D.J. & Thomson Jr., R.B. (2016). Gram Stain Benchtop Reference Guide. College of American Pathologists.
• Leber, A.L. (Ed.). (2016). Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook (4th ed.). Washington, D.C.: ASM Press.
• Mahon, C.R. & Lehman, D.C. (2019). Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology (6th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences.
• Procop, G.W., et al. (2017). Koneman’s Color Atlas and Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology (7th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
• Tille, P.M. (2021). Bailey & Scott’s Diagnostic Microbiology (15th ed.). Elsevier.

ASCP Board Of Certification (BOC).

Molecular And Immunology

• Detrick, B., Schmitz, J.L, & Hamilton, R.G. (Eds.). (2016). Manual of Molecular and Clinical Laboratory Immunology (8th ed.). Washington, D.C.: ASM Press.
• Persing, D.H. et al. (Eds.). (2016). Molecular Microbiology: Diagnostic Principles and Practice (3rd ed.). Washington D.C.: ASM Press

ASCP Board Of Certification (BOC)

Parasitology

• Ash, L.R. & Orihel, T.C. (2007). Atlas of Human Parasitology (5th ed.). Chicago: ASCP Press.
• Garcia, L.S. (2016). Diagnostic Medical Parasitology (6th ed.). Washington, D.C.: ASM Press.
• Pritt, B.S. (2014). Parasitology Benchtop Reference Guide. College of American Pathologists.

ASCP Board Of Certification (BOC)

Mycology And Virology

• 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.
• 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.

ASCP Board Of Certification (BOC)

Journals For M ASCP Certification

You can also get relevant content from these journals:

• Clinical Microbiology Newsletter: It is published by Elsevier Science Publishing Company.
• Clinical Microbiology Reviews: It has published by the American Society for Microbiology.
• Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease: It is published by Elsevier Science Publishing Company.
• Journal of Clinical Microbiology:It is published by the American Society for Microbiology.
• Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR): The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes this.

ASCP Technologist in Microbiology Exam Online Resources

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

M ASCP exam study resources recommended by the American Society For Clinical Pathology BOC are quite variant and very large! So if you are looking for all in one M ASCP technologist in microbiology study materials, exam practice questions and live classes, check our course that complied by ASCP specialist in microbiology.

How Get M ASCP/ ASCPi Technologist In Microbiology in 6 Steps?

Follow the next steps below to become an ASCP certified technologist in microbiology by American Society For Clinical Pathology.

M (ASCP) Technologist in Microbiology Study Guide, Materials & Exam Prep

Are you seeking an easy way to pass M ASCP technologist in microbiology exam?

MLSIA live classes is a handy solution to pass the technologist in microbiology exam on the first attempt. Furthermore, our training team comprises certified ASCP specialists in microbiology. So, you can master all the M ASCP microbiology contents through live coaching sessions, tudy materials and exam practice questions.

You can also avail consultation services from our industry professionals. Before going for the exam, it’s important to communicate with experts. So, you can mentally prepare yourself accordingly.

FAQs for M (ASCP) Technologist in Microbiology

Frequently asked questions for M ASCP certification by American Society For Clinical Pathology are: