Specialist in Blood Banking - SBB

Obtain certification and advance your career in blood banking with our specialized credential.

Performs all operations in blood banking and transfusion services, from routine testing to the most advanced procedures, to determine blood types, identify antibodies, and prepare and select blood components to support providers in blood transfusion therapy. Specialists are often technical supervisors and laboratory managers who serve as leaders, educators, and advisors.
ASCP and ASCPi Pathways
Examination Resources
Eligibility Routes
Required Documentation
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ASCP and ASCPi Pathways

Attaining an American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC) credential requires a laboratory professional or other expert to meet specific education, training, and/or experience standards and to successfully pass an examination demonstrating knowledge and applied skills. The ASCP BOC offers ASCP and ASCPi credentials based on distinct eligibility requirements. All candidates must carefully compare credentialing options. Additional information is available about the similarities and differences between similarities and differences between ASCP and ASCPi credentials and ASCPi credentials.

Eligibility Video

Eligibility Routes

Each credential has specific eligibility requirements, which are different for ASCP and ASCPi. It’s your responsibility to confirm that your education, training, and/or experience meet the criteria. Submit the correct documentation with your application. Once submitted, the category and route of application cannot be changed.

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Specialist in Blood Banking - SBB(ASCP)

An applicant must be able to verify that they meet all eligibility requirements, including education, training, and/or experience. For complete information, see the Documentation section of the website. 

Education does not need to be from the United States. Details are available by reviewing the webpage titled Acceptable Education, also available in the routes below. 

To be eligible for this examination category, an applicant must satisfy the minimum requirements (for degrees, the stated degree or higher) of at least one of the following routes:

An applicant must be able to verify that they meet all eligibility requirements, including education, training, and/or experience. For complete information, see the  Documentation section of the website. 

Education needs to be equivalent to education from the United States. Details are available by reviewing the webpage titled  Acceptable Education, also available in the routes below. 

To be eligible for this examination category, an applicant must satisfy the minimum requirements (for degrees, the stated degree or higher) of at least one of the following routes: 

  • The education received from a CAAHEP-accredited Specialist in Blood Bank Technology/Transfusion Medicine program is acceptable for a period of 5 years from the date of completion of that program.

  • *Acceptable Clinical Laboratory:
    CMS CLIA certificate of registration, compliance, accreditation;
    OR DoD CLIP certificate of registration, compliance, accreditation;
    OR JCI accreditation;
    OR Accreditation under ISO 15189.

    Experience:
    To fulfill the experience requirement for the Specialist in Blood Banking examination, you must have laboratory or teaching experience, within the time frame required, in ALL of the following procedures:

    Serologic Testing
    • ABO grouping and Rh typing
    • Antibody detection and identification
    • Crossmatching
    • Direct antiglobulin tests
    • Tests for other blood group antigens

    Molecular Testing 
    Proficiency for this task may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation

    Routine Problem Solving
    • Transfusion adverse reactions
    • Immune hemolytic anemias
    • Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN)
    • Rh immune globulin evaluation
    • Indications for transfusion

    Quality Control/Assurance
    • Reagents, equipment
    • Component quality control
    • Regulatory compliance

    Laboratory Operations 
    Proficiency for these tasks may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation

    Donor Collection, Processing, and Testing 
    Proficiency for these tasks may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation
    • Donor selection, preparation, and collection
    • Processing and donor testing
    • Component preparation for storage and administration

    • Master’s degree from an accredited (regionally or nationally) college/university in chemistry, biology, immunology, immunohematology, microbiology, allied health, medical laboratory science, or an appropriately related field,
    • AND 3 years of full-time acceptable clinical* experience in blood banking in an acceptable laboratory within the last 6 years. These 3 years of experience must be acquired post-baccalaureate degree and must be documented on this Experience Documentation Form (pdf).

    *Acceptable Clinical Laboratory:
    CMS CLIA certificate of registration, compliance, accreditation;
    OR DoD CLIP certificate of registration, compliance, accreditation;
    OR JCI accreditation;
    OR Accreditation under ISO 15189.

    Experience:
    To fulfill the experience requirement for the Specialist in Blood Banking examination, you must have laboratory or teaching experience, within the time frame required, in ALL of the following procedures:

    Serologic Testing
    • ABO grouping and Rh typing
    • Antibody detection and identification
    • Crossmatching
    • Direct antiglobulin tests
    • Tests for other blood group antigens

    Molecular Testing 
    Proficiency for this task may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation

    Routine Problem Solving
    • Transfusion adverse reactions
    • Immune hemolytic anemias
    • Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN)
    • Rh immune globulin evaluation
    • Indications for transfusion

    Quality Control/Assurance
    • Reagents, equipment
    • Component quality control
    • Regulatory compliance

    Laboratory Operations 
    Proficiency for these tasks may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation

    Donor Collection, Processing, and Testing 
    Proficiency for these tasks may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation
    • Donor selection, preparation, and collection
    • Processing and donor testing
    • Component preparation for storage and administration

    • Doctorate from an accredited (regionally or nationally) college/university in chemistry, biology, immunology, immunohematology, microbiology, allied health, medical laboratory science, or an appropriately related field,
    • AND 2 years of post-doctoral fellowship% in clinical* blood banking in the U.S. or Canada within the last 5 years OR 2 years of full-time acceptable clinical* experience in blood banking in an acceptable laboratory within the last 5 years. These 2 years of experience must be acquired post-baccalaureate degree and must be documented on this Experience Documentation Form (pdf).

    *Acceptable Clinical Laboratory:
    CMS CLIA certificate of registration, compliance, accreditation;
    OR DoD CLIP certificate of registration, compliance, accreditation;
    OR JCI accreditation;
    OR Accreditation under ISO 15189.

    %A copy of the certificate of completion of the post-doctoral fellowship is required.

    Experience:
    To fulfill the experience requirement for the Specialist in Blood Banking examination, you must have laboratory or teaching experience, within the time frame required, in ALL of the following procedures:

    Serologic Testing
    • ABO grouping and Rh typing
    • Antibody detection and identification
    • Crossmatching
    • Direct antiglobulin tests
    • Tests for other blood group antigens

    Molecular Testing 
    Proficiency for this task may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation

    Routine Problem Solving
    • Transfusion adverse reactions
    • Immune hemolytic anemias
    • Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN)
    • Rh immune globulin evaluation
    • Indications for transfusion

    Quality Control/Assurance
    • Reagents, equipment
    • Component quality control
    • Regulatory compliance

    Laboratory Operations 
    Proficiency for these tasks may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation

    Donor Collection, Processing, and Testing 
    Proficiency for these tasks may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation
    • Donor selection, preparation, and collection
    • Processing and donor testing
    • Component preparation for storage and administration

  • *Acceptable Clinical Laboratory:
    CMS CLIA certificate of registration, compliance, accreditation;
    OR DoD CLIP certificate of registration, compliance, accreditation;
    OR JCI accreditation;
    OR Accreditation under ISO 15189.

    Experience:
    To fulfill the experience requirement for the Specialist in Blood Banking examination, you must have laboratory or teaching experience, within the time frame required, in ALL of the following procedures:

    Serologic Testing
    • ABO grouping and Rh typing
    • Antibody detection and identification
    • Crossmatching
    • Direct antiglobulin tests
    • Tests for other blood group antigens

    Molecular Testing 
    Proficiency for this task may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation

    Routine Problem Solving
    • Transfusion adverse reactions
    • Immune hemolytic anemias
    • Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN)
    • Rh immune globulin evaluation
    • Indications for transfusion

    Quality Control/Assurance
    • Reagents, equipment
    • Component quality control
    • Regulatory compliance

    Laboratory Operations 
    Proficiency for these tasks may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation

    Donor Collection, Processing, and Testing 
    Proficiency for these tasks may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation
    • Donor selection, preparation, and collection
    • Processing and donor testing
    • Component preparation for storage and administration

  • *Acceptable Clinical Laboratory:
    CMS CLIA certificate of registration, compliance, accreditation;
    OR DoD CLIP certificate of registration, compliance, accreditation;
    OR JCI accreditation;
    OR Accreditation under ISO 15189.

    Experience:
    To fulfill the experience requirement for the Specialist in Blood Banking examination, you must have laboratory or teaching experience, within the time frame required, in ALL of the following procedures:

    Serologic Testing
    • ABO grouping and Rh typing
    • Antibody detection and identification
    • Crossmatching
    • Direct antiglobulin tests
    • Tests for other blood group antigens

    Molecular Testing 
    Proficiency for this task may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation

    Routine Problem Solving
    • Transfusion adverse reactions
    • Immune hemolytic anemias
    • Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN)
    • Rh immune globulin evaluation
    • Indications for transfusion

    Quality Control/Assurance
    • Reagents, equipment
    • Component quality control
    • Regulatory compliance

    Laboratory Operations 
    Proficiency for these tasks may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation

    Donor Collection, Processing, and Testing 
    Proficiency for these tasks may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation
    • Donor selection, preparation, and collection
    • Processing and donor testing
    • Component preparation for storage and administration

    • Valid MLS(ASCP) or BB(ASCP) certification,
    • AND a Doctorate from an accredited (regionally or nationally) college/university in chemistry, biology, immunology, immunohematology, microbiology, allied health, medical laboratory science, or an appropriately related field,
    • AND 1 year of full-time acceptable clinical* experience in blood banking in an acceptable laboratory within the last 5 years OR 1 year of full-time acceptable research experience in blood banking in the U.S. or Canada within the last 5 years. This year of experience must be acquired post-baccalaureate degree and must be documented on this Experience Documentation Form (pdf).

    *Acceptable Clinical Laboratory:
    CMS CLIA certificate of registration, compliance, accreditation;
    OR DoD CLIP certificate of registration, compliance, accreditation;
    OR JCI accreditation;
    OR Accreditation under ISO 15189.

    Experience:
    To fulfill the experience requirement for the Specialist in Blood Banking examination, you must have laboratory or teaching experience, within the time frame required, in ALL of the following procedures:

    Serologic Testing
    • ABO grouping and Rh typing
    • Antibody detection and identification
    • Crossmatching
    • Direct antiglobulin tests
    • Tests for other blood group antigens

    Molecular Testing 
    Proficiency for this task may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation

    Routine Problem Solving
    • Transfusion adverse reactions
    • Immune hemolytic anemias
    • Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN)
    • Rh immune globulin evaluation
    • Indications for transfusion

    Quality Control/Assurance
    • Reagents, equipment
    • Component quality control
    • Regulatory compliance

    Laboratory Operations 
    Proficiency for these tasks may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation

    Donor Collection, Processing, and Testing 
    Proficiency for these tasks may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation
    • Donor selection, preparation, and collection
    • Processing and donor testing
    • Component preparation for storage and administration

  • *Accredited/approved by a governing regulatory association or Ministry. Countries without a prevalent system of accreditation/approval must have programs/educational institutions approved by an International Advisory Board appointed by the ASCP Board of Certification, or eligibility will be determined by an acceptable transcript evaluation. The foreign degree must be equivalent to a U.S. degree.

    • Valid MLS(ASCP or ASCPi) or BB(ASCP or ASCPi) certification,
    • AND a baccalaureate degree from an accredited/approved* educational institution,
    • AND 3 years of acceptable clinical# experience in blood banking (immunohematology) in an accredited/approved laboratory. These 3 years of experience must be acquired post-baccalaureate degree and must be documented on this Experience Documentation Form (pdf).

    *Accredited/approved by a governing regulatory association or Ministry. Countries without a prevalent system of accreditation/approval must have programs/educational institutions approved by an International Advisory Board appointed by the ASCP Board of Certification, or eligibility will be determined by an acceptable transcript evaluation. The foreign degree must be equivalent to a U.S. degree.

    #Clinical laboratory accredited by JCI, CAP, under ISO 15189 or authorized by a governing regulatory association or Ministry. Countries without a prevalent system of accreditation must have laboratories approved by an International Advisory Board appointed by the ASCP Board of Certification.

    Experience:
    To fulfill the experience requirement for the Specialist in Blood Banking examination, you must have laboratory or teaching experience, within the time frame required, in ALL of the following procedures:

    Serologic Testing
    • ABO grouping and Rh typing
    • Antibody detection and identification
    • Crossmatching
    • Direct antiglobulin tests
    • Tests for other blood group antigens

    Molecular Testing 
    Proficiency for this task may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation

    Routine Problem Solving
    • Transfusion adverse reactions
    • Immune hemolytic anemias
    • Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN)
    • Rh immune globulin evaluation
    • Indications for transfusion

    Quality Control/Assurance
    • Reagents, equipment
    • Component quality control
    • Regulatory compliance

    Laboratory Operations 
    Proficiency for these tasks may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation

    Donor Collection, Processing, and Testing 
    Proficiency for these tasks may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation
    • Donor selection, preparation, and collection
    • Processing and donor testing
    • Component preparation for storage and administration

    • Master’s degree from an accredited/approved* educational institution in chemistry, biology, immunology, immunohematology, microbiology, medical laboratory science$, or an appropriately related field,   
    • AND 3 years of acceptable clinical# experience in blood banking (immunohematology) in an accredited/approved laboratory. These 3 years of experience must be acquired post-baccalaureate degree and must be documented on this Experience Documentation Form (pdf). 

    *Accredited/approved by a governing regulatory association or Ministry. Countries without a prevalent system of accreditation/approval must have programs/educational institutions approved by an International Advisory Board appointed by the ASCP Board of Certification, or eligibility will be determined by an acceptable transcript evaluation. The foreign degree must be equivalent to a U.S. degree.

    #Clinical laboratory accredited by JCI, CAP, under ISO 15189 or authorized by a governing regulatory association or Ministry. Countries without a prevalent system of accreditation must have laboratories approved by an International Advisory Board appointed by the ASCP Board of Certification.

    $Degrees/Diplomas in Medical Laboratory Science include Medical Laboratory Science, Medical Technology, Clinical Laboratory Science, and Biomedical Laboratory Science.

    Experience:
    To fulfill the experience requirement for the Specialist in Blood Banking examination, you must have laboratory or teaching experience, within the time frame required, in ALL of the following procedures:

    Serologic Testing
    • ABO grouping and Rh typing
    • Antibody detection and identification
    • Crossmatching
    • Direct antiglobulin tests
    • Tests for other blood group antigens

    Molecular Testing 
    Proficiency for this task may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation

    Routine Problem Solving
    • Transfusion adverse reactions
    • Immune hemolytic anemias
    • Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN)
    • Rh immune globulin evaluation
    • Indications for transfusion

    Quality Control/Assurance
    • Reagents, equipment
    • Component quality control
    • Regulatory compliance

    Laboratory Operations 
    Proficiency for these tasks may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation

    Donor Collection, Processing, and Testing 
    Proficiency for these tasks may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation
    • Donor selection, preparation, and collection
    • Processing and donor testing
    • Component preparation for storage and administration

  • *Accredited/approved by a governing regulatory association or Ministry. Countries without a prevalent system of accreditation/approval must have programs/educational institutions approved by an International Advisory Board appointed by the ASCP Board of Certification, or eligibility will be determined by an acceptable transcript evaluation. The foreign degree must be equivalent to a U.S. degree.

    #Clinical laboratory accredited by JCI, CAP, under ISO 15189 or authorized by a governing regulatory association or Ministry. Countries without a prevalent system of accreditation must have laboratories approved by an International Advisory Board appointed by the ASCP Board of Certification.

    Experience:
    To fulfill the experience requirement for the Specialist in Blood Banking examination, you must have laboratory or teaching experience, within the time frame required, in ALL of the following procedures:

    Serologic Testing
    • ABO grouping and Rh typing
    • Antibody detection and identification
    • Crossmatching
    • Direct antiglobulin tests
    • Tests for other blood group antigens

    Molecular Testing 
    Proficiency for this task may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation

    Routine Problem Solving
    • Transfusion adverse reactions
    • Immune hemolytic anemias
    • Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN)
    • Rh immune globulin evaluation
    • Indications for transfusion

    Quality Control/Assurance
    • Reagents, equipment
    • Component quality control
    • Regulatory compliance

    Laboratory Operations 
    Proficiency for these tasks may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation

    Donor Collection, Processing, and Testing 
    Proficiency for these tasks may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation
    • Donor selection, preparation, and collection
    • Processing and donor testing
    • Component preparation for storage and administration

  • *Accredited/approved by a governing regulatory association or Ministry. Countries without a prevalent system of accreditation/approval must have programs/educational institutions approved by an International Advisory Board appointed by the ASCP Board of Certification, or eligibility will be determined by an acceptable transcript evaluation. The foreign degree must be equivalent to a U.S. degree.

    #Clinical laboratory accredited by JCI, CAP, under ISO 15189 or authorized by a governing regulatory association or Ministry. Countries without a prevalent system of accreditation must have laboratories approved by an International Advisory Board appointed by the ASCP Board of Certification.

    $Degrees/Diplomas in Medical Laboratory Science include Medical Laboratory Science, Medical Technology, Clinical Laboratory Science, and Biomedical Laboratory Science.

    Experience:
    To fulfill the experience requirement for the Specialist in Blood Banking examination, you must have laboratory or teaching experience, within the time frame required, in ALL of the following procedures:

    Serologic Testing
    • ABO grouping and Rh typing
    • Antibody detection and identification
    • Crossmatching
    • Direct antiglobulin tests
    • Tests for other blood group antigens

    Molecular Testing 
    Proficiency for this task may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation

    Routine Problem Solving
    • Transfusion adverse reactions
    • Immune hemolytic anemias
    • Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN)
    • Rh immune globulin evaluation
    • Indications for transfusion

    Quality Control/Assurance
    • Reagents, equipment
    • Component quality control
    • Regulatory compliance

    Laboratory Operations 
    Proficiency for these tasks may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation

    Donor Collection, Processing, and Testing 
    Proficiency for these tasks may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation
    • Donor selection, preparation, and collection
    • Processing and donor testing
    • Component preparation for storage and administration

Application Fee (non-refundable): $300

Apply for SBB(ASCP)

Beginning January 1, 2026, application fees for all ASCP certification examinations will increase by $10.

Application Fee (non-refundable): $300

Apply for SBB(ASCPi)

Reduced pricing is available for those educated and living in low-to-middle income countries.

Beginning January 1, 2026, application fees for all ASCPi certification examinations will increase by $10, except for those educated and residing in low-to-middle income countries.

Information About Required Documentation

You must upload the appropriate documentation form when you apply online, verifying that you meet the training and/or experience requirements for your category and route of application. You will also need to submit an acceptable transcript or transcript evaluation verifying that you meet the academic requirements. Gather your documents before submitting your application and application fee.

Apply

Once you have confirmed that you meet the requirements and have gathered your documents, submit your online application.

SBB(ASCP)SBB(ASCPi)

Coming Soon! Digital Badges

In early 2026, the ASCP BOC will launch digital badging through Credly, a trusted provider that increases the visibility of ASCP BOC credential holders by securely showcasing and sharing professional credentials. Learn more about digital badges.

“Attaining my ASCP BOC Specialist in Blood Banking - SBB credential has opened career opportunities for me which were not possible before passing the SBB examination.”

- Babatunde Adeoye, MS, MLS(ASCP)CMSBBCM