About the BOC

About the Board of Certification

BOC Mission Statement

The mission of the Board of Certification is to provide excellence in certification of laboratory professionals on behalf of patients worldwide.

BOC Vision Statement

Serving as the largest and oldest pathology and laboratory medicine society and as the gold standard in certification for laboratory professionals, the BOC of the ASCP will take the leadership role in the future of laboratory medicine. Its work will focus on promoting public awareness and assuming a proactive role in legislation that impacts the certification or practice of laboratory professionals. The BOC will strive to ensure an adequate and competent workforce to protect public health and advocate for increased communication with program directors regarding certification and its maintenance through continuing education. There will be ongoing efforts to develop and globally consolidate new certifications in response to emerging disciplines or regulatory changes in the delivery of laboratory testing. Operating in a financially stable manner, the BOC will be instrumental in stimulating economic and workforce development both nationally and internationally.

What We Do

The ASCP Board of Registry (BOR) was founded in 1928 by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), six years after the Society was founded in 1922. On July 21, 2009, the ASCP Board of Registry (BOR) and the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA) signed an agreement forming a single certification agency for medical laboratory professionals. The newly formed agency would be called the ASCP Board of Certification (BOC). This agreement was effective October 23, 2009. The ASCP BOC is a separate certifying body within the organizational structure of the ASCP. The certification functions of the ASCP Board of Certification are governed by a Board of Governors. The Board of Governors (BOG) is composed of the following:

  • Sponsoring Societies (3): ASCP, American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS), and Association of Genetic Technologists (AGT)
  • Participating Societies (8): AABB, American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC), American Association of Pathologists' Assistants (AAPA), American College of Microbiology (ACM), American Society of Cytopathology (ASC), American Society of Hematology (ASH), Clinical Laboratory Management Association (CLMA), and National Society for Histotechnology (NSH)
  • Public Member (1)

The ASCP BOC was awarded accreditation by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for the following certification programs: Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT), Phlebotomy Technician (PBT), Cytotechnologist (CT), Specialist in Cytotechnology (SCT), Histotechnician (HT), Histotechnologist (HTL), Technologist in Molecular Biology (MB), and Pathologists’ Assistant (PA). ANSI awards accreditation to personnel certification agencies that meet the International ISO Standard 17024.

The ASCP BOC offers certifications in 20 different categories and qualifications in four categories. Over the last several years, the ASCP BOC has expanded certification worldwide with five international certifications and one international qualification. To date, over 475,000 individuals have been certified by the BOC that is recognized as the preeminent certifying agency for clinical laboratory personnel.

Click here for the frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding the BOR NCA unification.

    The ASCP Board of Certification is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for the following certification categories: Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT), Phlebotomy Technician (PBT), Cytotechnologist (CT), Histotechnician (HT), Histotechnologist (HTL), Technologist in Molecular Biology (MB), Pathologists’ Assistant (PA), and Specialist in Cytotechnology (SCT).

    ANSI awards accreditation to personnel certification agencies that meet the International ISO Standard 17024.

      Certification is the process by which a non-governmental agency or association grants recognition of competence to an individual who has met certain predetermined qualifications, as specified by the agency or association.

      The ASCP Board of Certification provides a mechanism for these individuals to be recognized as having the necessary competence to perform the medical laboratory roles they seek. This mechanism is called certification.

      ASCP BOC certification is time-limited for three years. To remain valid, certification must be maintained by completing the Certification Maintenance Program (CMP).

      • Technician Certification (PBT, HT, MLT, DPT)
      • Technologist/Scientist Certification (BB, C, CG, CT, H, HTL, MLS, M, MB)
      • Specialist Certification (SBB, SC, SCT, SH, SM, PA)
      • Certification Maintenance Program (CMP)

        The ASCP Board of Certification offers Qualifications in the areas listed below. To receive a qualification, candidates must meet the eligibility requirements and successfully complete a work sample project or examination. Candidates who complete the Qualification process, will receive a Certificate of Qualification which is valid for five years.

        The Qualification may be revalidated every five years upon payment of a fee and completion of acceptable continuing education related to the area of qualification. The Qualification will not, in itself, entitle the individual to ASCP member ship.

        Category of Examination

        Qualification in Cytometry, QCYM

        Qualification in Immunohistochemistry, QIHC

        Qualification in Laboratory Informatics, QLI

        Qualification in Laboratory Safety, QLS

        Application Fee

                  $225

                  $225

                  $225

                  $225

          ASCP offers its gold standard credentials in the form of international certification to eligible individuals worldwide. The ASCPi credential certifies professional competency among new and practicing laboratory personnel in an effort to contribute globally to the highest standards of patient safety. Graduates of medical laboratory science programs outside the United States are challenged with content that mirrors the standards of excellence established by ASCP exams. The ASCPi credential carries the weight of eighty years of expertise in clinical laboratory professional certification.

          International Certification

          Category of Examination                                                            Application Fee

          International Medical Technologist, MT(ASCPi)                                         $200

          International Medical Laboratory Technician, MLT(ASCPi)                        $175

          International Phlebotomy Technician, PBT(ASCPi)                                    $125

          International Technologist in Molecular Biology, MB(ASCPi)                      $200

          International Technologist in Gynecologic Cytology, CTgyn(ASCPi)          $125

          International Qualification

          Category of Examination

          Qualification in Laboratory Operations, QLO                                               N/A
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