Citation of Credentials

Professionals who have earned a three-year time-limited credential are required to participate in the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC) Credential Maintenance Program (CMP).  Otherwise, the professional's earned ASCP BOC or their credential will expire.  

Once a credential has expired, the ASCP BOC credential designation may not be cited after a professional’s name.

Citation of Earned ASCP BOC Credentials 

Certifications 

ASCP BOC certification credentials are listed with the designation (ASCP) or (ASCPi) after the category.  

ASCP BOC certifications earned by professionals prior to mandatory credential maintenance are not time-limited and do not expire.  

  • Mary Jones, MLS(ASCP) 

  • Mary Jones, MLS(ASCPi) 

The initials “CM” in superscript follow (ASCP) and (ASCPi) for the credentials of professionals who successfully complete the ASCP BOC CMP. When initially earning a credential under required CMP, a superscript “CM” is used after your credential.  

  • Mary Jones, MLS(ASCP)CM 

  • Mary Jones, MLS(ASCPi)CM 

Qualifications 

ASCP BOC qualification credentials are listed without the designation (ASCP) after the category. The initials “CM” in superscript follow the credential, as all qualifications require completion of the CMP to maintain a valid credential. 

  • Mary Jones, QIHCCM

Sequence for Citation of Stacked ASCP BOC Credentials: 

ASCP BOC certification credentials are listed with the designation (ASCP) or (ASCPi) after the category. “CM” or “iCM” in superscript is used to indicate participation in the CMP for that credential.  

Two Credentials (Certifications and/or Qualifications) 

  • The second credential earned is listed immediately after (ASCP) or (ASCPi) with no comma or space. 

    • Susan Smith, M(ASCP)CMMBCM or Tom Jones, M(ASCPi)CMMBiCM 

  • Two certifications earned in separate disciplines are listed in chronological order based on the date earned. 

    MLS should always be listed before (ASCP) or (ASCPi), regardless of chronology. 

    • Susan Smith, MLS(ASCP)CMBBCM or Tom Jones, MLS(ASCPi)CMBBiCM

  • Certifications earned should be listed before qualifications earned, regardless of chronology. 

    • Susan Smith, HTL(ASCP)CMQIHCCM or Tom Jones, HTL(ASCPi)CMQIHCCM 

  • A second qualification earned is listed with no comma or space. 

    • Susan Smith, QLSCMQIACM  

Multiple Certifications in the Same Discipline 

  • If multiple certifications are earned in the same discipline, it is recommended that the lower-level category be omitted. 

    • Susan Smith, BB(ASCP)CMSBBCM becomes Susan Smith, SBB(ASCP)CM 

    • Tom Jones, BB(ASCPi)CMSBBCM becomes Tom Joes, SBB(ASCPi)CM 

 

Three or More Credentials (Certifications and/or Qualifications) 

  • Additional credential categories are listed after the second category, separated by commas but no spaces. 

  • Susan Smith, MLT(ASCPi)CMCiCM,QBRSCM

 

ASCP and ASCPi Certifications  

  • If one of the certifications earned is an ASCP certification and the other is an ASCPi certification, the ASCP certification should always be listed first regardless of category or chronology with a comma and space between them 

    • Susan Smith, MB(ASCP), MLS(ASCPi)CM 

Sequence for Citation of Credentials  

  • Listing credentials behind your name is an important component of professional identity. The ASCP BOC suggests following the guidelines below when you cite your professional credentials, as applicable:

    • Name + academic degree(s) + FASCP or MASCP + ASCP BOC credential(s) + non-ASCP BOC credential(s)

Learn More About CMP