ASCP MLS CM: Have You Updated Your Certificate?
Are you worried that your ASCP medical lab scientist certificate is only MLS ASCP, while many other professionals have the ASCP MLS CM?
What is the meaning of “CM”?
Why is the superscript “CM” only attached to many certifications while many are not?
Are you also confused about the ASCP MLS CM and ASCP MLS?
Here, we are going to answer all these questions.
ASCP MLS CM: What is its meaning?
Are you familiar with the ASCP MLS CMP?
Are you aware that your ASCP medical lab scientist certificate is only valid for three years?
What do professionals do with their expired MLS (ASCP) certification?
Here are the answers to all:
The American Society for the Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC) awards the certificates to the entire lab team, but these certifications, including the MLS (ASCP), are only workable for three years.
After this, the board makes each certified professional responsible for updating their certificates by learning the latest technologies.
For this, it establishes a CMP (Credential Maintenance Program).
Once you successfully participate in the ASCP MLS CMP, your credential will be demonstrated with the superscript “CM,” as ASCP MLS CM.
MLS ASCP CMP: How to Make It Successful?
The MLS ASCP CMP is also called the ASCP recertification process and the ASCP certification renewal process.
To accomplish your CMP process, you have to earn 36 points in your active three years.
Special Note: Make sure to meet all these points before your certification expiration date. You must send your CMP declaration (CMP application) at least 3 months before last date of your certificate so that you can get time for processing.
The following are all the areas in which you need to get 30 points:
- Your area of specialization (2 points in each) (For MLS ASCP, you have four areas, including blood banking, chemistry, microbiology, and hematology): 2 x 4: 8 points
- You need to earn 1 point in patient safety or lab and 1 point in medical ethics.
- 26 points in the lab-related areas.
To earn these points, the ASCP Board of Certification suggests many continuous education programs and CE packages, you must join them according to your needs.
Besides this, you can achieve these points from non-ASCP resources (the board permits you), like the AABB or CAP (College of American Pathologists).
Advantages of ASCP Certification Renewal Programs
You will not be able to continue your practice with an expired certificate, so it is a crucial process.
According to Walter Oliveira, MASCP, MLS ASCP CM SI
“As laboratory professionals, we must endeavor to be lifelong learners in order to maintain and expand our knowledge to stay current in our profession. The Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) challenges me to maintain and expand my knowledge across disciplines within the laboratory medicine field.”
It is a big opportunity to introduce yourself to advanced technologies.
Make your certificate ASCP MLS CM, which is the approval of your updated skills, so you become more trustworthy.
You learn about the latest instruments in your field and also about their working processes, which is very essential for your career.
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.
