Participation in the ASCP BOC CMP

After meeting all eligibility requirements and successfully passing an examination, professionals are awarded a three-year time-limited American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC) credential. To maintain a valid credential, it is required that you participate in the ASCP BOC Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) every three years.  

The ASCP BOC developed the CMP so that professionals stay current and knowledgeable in an ever-changing field. Introduced in 2004, all ASCP BOC credentials came under this program by 2012.

Mandatory Participation 

If you were credentialed on or after the dates below, you are required to participate in the ASCP BOC CMP for your ASCP BOC credential to remain valid.  

The ASCP BOC CMP is required for all professionals who are: 

  • newly ASCP certified as technicians, technologists, and scientists beginning January 1, 2004, or later 

  • newly ASCP certified as specialists and diplomates beginning January 1, 2006, or later 

  • newly ASCPi certified beginning January 1, 2012, or later 

  • ASCP qualified  

  • certified as a PA(ASCP) 

  • previously certified by the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA) and who were not ASCP certified in the same category prior to January 1, 2004 

You may log in to your ASCP account at any time to view the status of your ASCP BOC credential(s), including valid dates.  

Citation of ASCP BOC credentials earned under mandatory CMP will include a superscript "CM", for example, MLS(ASCP)CM. After initially obtaining your credential, participating in the ASCP BOC CMP allows you to use this full citation, including the "CM," which signifies your participation in the program. If you choose not to participate in the ASCP BOC CMP, your credential will expire, and you will no longer be allowed to cite the credential after your name. 

Stacked Credential Holders

If you have earned multiple credentials in the same area (e.g., BB(ASCP) and SBB(ASCP)), as a professional, it is your prerogative which credential(s) to maintain.  

Voluntary Participation 

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

All ASCP BOC credential holders are encouraged to participate in the ASCP BOC CMP to demonstrate their continued knowledge in the laboratory. If you were credentialed before the dates below, you are not required to participate in the ASCP BOC CMP for your ASCP BOC credential to remain valid.  

The ASCP BOC CMP is voluntary for all professionals who are: 

  • newly ASCP certified as technicians, technologists, and scientists before January 1, 2004  

  • newly ASCP certified as specialists and diplomates before January 1, 2006  

  • newly ASCPi certified before January 1, 2012  

  • certified by NCA who were ASCP certified in the same category before January 1, 2004 

You may log in to your ASCP account at any time to view the status of your ASCP BOC credential(s), including valid dates.

 

The citation of ASCP BOC credentials earned before mandatory CMP does not include a superscript "CM", for example, MLS(ASCP). Voluntarily participating in the ASCP BOC CMP allows you to add the "CM," which signifies your participation in the program.  

If you choose not to participate in the ASCP BOC CMP, your credential will revert back to having no expiration date, and you will no longer be allowed to cite “CM” with your credential.