New Credential Proposal Inquiry & Process

The American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC) assesses new credential proposals in alignment with the ASCP BOC mission and core values. Likewise, new credentials must have a positive patient care impact and elevate the visibility as well as the value of laboratory professionals and other experts with scientific acumen spanning laboratory medicine, pathology, and adjacent scientific domains.

The development of a new credential, from point of proposal to examination publication, is a resource-intensive process that spans several years. Prior to developing a new examination and credential, the ASCP BOC must determine the likelihood that the credential will succeed in the healthcare continuum and elevate laboratory professionals and patients.

New Credential Proposal Process:

  1. To help you assess the level of detail required for a new credential proposal, the questions listed below are provided as a resource. Please start by reviewing these questions.
  2. If you decide to proceed with the new credential proposal, complete the New Credential Proposal Form. Tips for form completion:
    • You are required to answer all questions on the form and provide the requested supporting evidence
    • The survey platform can save your work so that it can be completed in multiple sessions, but please note that you must use the same computer/device and browser
    • It may be easier to review all questions prior to submission and complete them in one sitting
    • Supporting documents can be attached at the end of the form
  3. Your completed form and attached documentation will be reviewed by the ASCP BOC's Core Credential Team and the ASCP BOC Board of Governors (ASCP BOC BOG) Examination Oversight Committee. You may be contacted if more information is needed.
  4. The ASCP BOC BOG will make a final determination regarding the new credential proposal
  5. If approved, the new credential will undergo the full examination and credential development process as described in Examination Cycle and Process

Please direct any questions to: BOCcredentialproposal@ascp.org

New Credential Proposal Questions:

Please review all questions that you will need to answer when completing the New Credential Proposal Form. When you are ready to answer these questions, click the link to complete the New Credential Proposal Form.

Please direct any questions about the form or the new credential proposal process to: BOCcredentialproposal@ascp.org

  1. Provide the name and contact information (email and phone number) of the primary proponent for this new credential proposal.
  2. Provide an introduction of the group(s) or individual(s) presenting the new credential proposal, including relevant details. If applicable, please provide the professional organization’s mission and vision, professional context, and aims for the proposed credential.
  3. Provide the name of the proposed credential (e.g., Cellular Therapy Scientist) and rationale for why the credential should be considered.
  4. Provide rationale for why you consider the ASCP BOC to be the most qualified credentialing organization to offer the proposed credential.
  5. Provide the name of the professional cohort under consideration for the proposed credential (e.g., practitioners of cellular therapy), including a description of the applicable existing, advancing, or new profession(s).
  6. Would the proposed credential be obtained through an ASCP BOC certification or qualification examination? Would the proposed credential/examination be at the technician, scientist, specialist, or diplomate level? Please include rationale. For further information and examples, please see the Explore Credentials section of the ASCP BOC website.
  7. Explain how the proposed credential would benefit patients and the professional community.
  8. Indicate the total number of current U.S. practitioners in the field (based on membership in professional organizations and other available data). Include data sources for this information and related references.
  9. Is there international interest in this proposed credential? If so, indicate the total number of current practitioners outside of the U.S. and related information (e.g., applicable countries). Include data sources for this information and related references.
  10. Indicate the annual volume of practitioners worldwide entering the field (based on available data), including data sources for this information.
  11. Provide a detailed description of the body of knowledge and other practice insights required of practitioners that would align with the proposed credential.
  12. Are there recognized best practices guidelines, peer-reviewed publications of essential information, and/or key textbooks that are regularly updated that may serve as vetted resources for this profession as well as potential resources for initial development of the proposed credential? 
  13. If the proposed credential is approved, one of the first steps will be to deploy a practice analysis survey to determine the tasks being performed by practitioners in the field. Provide any resources that will be helpful in the development and deployment of a practice analysis survey for the proposed credential (e.g., e-mail list of practitioners, assistance in developing survey questions, etc.).
  14. Describe the financial support that the applicant organization(s) and/or other supporting organizations/individuals will be able to provide for the development and ongoing maintenance of the proposed credential (e.g., direct support, donations from collaborating organizations, donations from vendors, etc.).
  15. Describe the level and type of marketing support that the applicant organization(s) and/or other supporting organizations/individuals will be able to provide for the proposed credential. Identify key, relevant promotional opportunities (e.g., meetings, relevant journals, online distribution lists, social media networks, etc.).
  16. Are there any existing and potentially competing examinations/credentials in this space or any that overlap practice or scientific domains with the proposed credential? Indicate your sources of reference or resources to support your answer.
  17. Provide information for any relevant, formal training programs related to the proposed credential, including accreditation body recognition (e.g. NAACLS, CAAHEP, etc.), number of programs, sample curriculum, number of students and graduates, etc.
  18. Identify any risks or feasibility challenges that that should be considered related to the new credential proposal.
  19. Are you aware of any regulatory issues that currently or in the near future are likely to affect this practice or scientific domain?
  20. Would you recommend that the ASCP BOC pursue ANAB accreditation for the proposed credential? (Note: this is applicable only for ASCP BOC certification examinations/credentials, not qualification nor ASCPi examinations/credentials.)
  21. Indicate the recommended timeline for development of the proposed credential.
  22. Additionally, you will be required to survey a representative sample of practitioners in the scientific domain and to verify the survey findings. More information is provided in the New Credential Proposal Form.