Certification by the ASCP Board of Certification

You’re serious about your career. That’s why certification by the ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) is important to you. It serves as a symbol of your commitment to the highest standards of your profession and to quality patient care.

Since 1928, BOR has been widely recognized as the preeminent leader in the certification of medical laboratory professionals. Today, BOC offers a formal certification process that requires education, clinical training and experience, and successful completion of the certification examination for Technicians, Technologists, Specialists, and Diplomates in Laboratory Management.

Getting Qualified? A qualification recognizes the competence of individuals in specific technical areas. Qualifications are available in laboratory informatics, laboratory compliance, immunohistochemistry and cytometry. We’re here to help you apply for Qualification, step by step.

The BOC Certification Process

Congratulations on your decision to apply for certification by the ASCP Board of Certification! So, start now—there’s some work that you need to do before you can take the examination.

Ready? We’re here to help you apply for the Certification Examination, step by step:

Identify the examination you’re applying for and determine your eligibility. (Remember: You can only apply for one category within a three-month period.) For each certification category, you’ll find a choice of routes that you can take to verify your eligibility for the examination, depending on the education and training you’ve completed. Find out the eligibility requirements for your category—

• Technician Certification (DPT, HT, MLT, PBT)
• Technologist Certification (BB, C, CG, CT, H, HTL, MLS, M, MB)
• Specialist Certification (SBB, SC, SCT, SH, SLS, SM, PA)
• Diplomate Certification (DLM)
• International ASCPⁱ Certification (MT, MLT, MP, PBT)

*Requirements and fees stated are subject to change without notice

Gather your education and experience documentation. You’ll need to provide documentation of your education and training and specified experience requirements that you’ve fulfilled in your area of specialization. Before you apply for the examination, you should assemble all the documentation needed to—

• Verify your academic education
• Verify your experience (if required)
• Verify your training

Apply for the examination. Complete and submit the application form with the non-refundable application fee, along with all the documentation you gathered in Step 2. We offer two options—

• You can apply online and pay by credit card
• Or by mail and pay by credit card, check or money order (The Technologist in Cytogenetics (CG) application is only available online, mail in will be available after October 24, 2009.)
  • General Application (PDF)
  • SBB Application (PDF)
  • PBT Application (PDF)

Suggested application dates for approved school applicants. View suggested application chart for students from Accredited Training Programs.

Certification, if granted, may be revoked at any time and the applicant may be barred from admission to take future certification examinations if it is established that the information contained in , or supplied in support of, an application for examination is inaccurate in any material respect, if the applicant engages in any inappropriate conduct during the examination (such as giving or obtaining unauthorized information or aid) or if the applicant misrepresents or misuses the applicant’s certification status at any time.

Schedule your examination. Once your application and eligibility documentation has been approved by the BOC, you’ll receive a letter that admits you to the examination within a three-month period. Then, it’s time to schedule your examination at a Pearson Professional Center. Visit the Pearson site for ASCP examinations to identify a location that’s convenient for you. View scheduling, rescheduling and cancellation policies.

If you receive a letter indicating you are ineligible for examination, you have the option of appealing this decision. View procedures.

Study for Exam. View study materials.

Prepare for your examination day. Review Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) method that is used by the BOC. To find out what to bring to examination center, please click here.

Watch for your results. You’ll receive your examination scores within ten business days of your examination date. Review examination results procedures.

Watch for your certificate. You’ll receive your certificate approximately four to six weeks after your examination date. This certificate is valid for three years. You’ll also receive a packet of information about Certification Maintenance Program (CMP) and the requirements for maintaining your certification. Review certification benefits.

Change of Name and/or Address
If you change your address, notify the ASCP Board of Certification Office by email to boc@ascp.org; fax 312.541.4845 or mail to the general correspondence address ASCP Board of Certification 33 W. Monroe St., Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60603. Name and address changes should NOT be made online through the ASCP web site or ASCP Call Center. All changes must be made directly with the Board of Certification. Name changes must be accompanied by a photo copy of your marriage license or court order and faxed to 312.541.4845 or mailed to ASCP Board of Certification, 33 W. Monroe St., Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60603.

Name and/or address changes may not be made at the test center. Name changes or name corrections received in the ASCP Board of Certification office after the day you take the examination will not be reflected on your certificate. A fee will be charged if you request a new certificate.