"From the BOC Newsletter to annual reports, the ASCP Board of Certification provides a variety of resources to assist Program Directors as they support their students' efforts to achieve certification."
Ericka Hendrix, PhD, MB(ASCP)CM
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX

ASCP BOC eLinks for Program Directors

 

   Happy Holidays from the ASCP Board of Certification!   

Important Information for the Holidays and End of the Year:

ASCP and BOC Offices Closed Dec. 23, 2024 through Jan. 3, 2025

The ASCP and Board of Certification offices will be closed for the holidays from Dec. 23, 2024, through Jan. 3, 2025. If you have any questions during this time, please review the ASCP BOC website.

Exam Eligibility Verification Report – Important Information for Holiday Break*

Please remember to check your email for notifications of Examination Eligibility Verification (EEV) Reports to review over the holiday break. You may log in to your individual ASCP account from anywhere you have access to the Internet. Please see EEV Information below for complete instructions.

Did you know your students can view the status of their application at any time?

Upon initial submission, an applicant receives a confirmation email, and their application is put into “Received” status. At any time, an applicant can log in to their ASCP account and view the status of their application.

After all supporting documents have been reviewed, any deficiencies will be identified. Any time the status of an application is changed, the applicant receives notification to log in to their ASCP account for specific details and next steps.

Reminder: 2025 Program Performance Report (PPR) Invoice – Payment due Jan. 1, 2025 for Uninterrupted Access*

Emails with a link to access the 2025 Program Performance Report (PPR) invoices were sent to all program directors of NAACLS, CAAHEP, and ABHES accredited programs as well as BOC documented structured phlebotomy technician (PBT) and medical laboratory assistant (MLA) training programs on November 5, 2024; a reminder email will also be sent in January. The invoice amount is $175 per program and covers the period of January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025. Payment instructions are included on the invoice which can be accessed through the program director’s ASCP account under “Management Tools.” If there are questions, please contact us at PDInfo@ascp.org.

ASCP BOC Updates:

Exam Retakes – Revised Timeframe

The ASCP BOC is pleased to announce that a certification examination candidate may now schedule a retake exam as early as 30 days after the date of an unsuccessful exam attempt. This is in place of the previous 90-day waiting period. Qualification examination candidates will be able to retake their examination as early as 30 days after the date of an unsuccessful exam attempt. This is in place of the previous 60-day waiting period.

This data driven enhancement removes barriers to workforce challenges by allowing candidates to retake their examination sooner while taking advantage of employment opportunities more expediently and effectively.

If a candidate requires additional time to prepare for their next exam attempt, they may submit their retake application within a time frame that works best for them. As a reminder, applicants must still meet all eligibility requirements at the time of re-application.

New BOC Website – Coming Soon

The ASCP BOC is excited to announce that a redesigned website will be launched in the Spring of 2025. The new site will focus on patient-centric value of credentialing through videos, testimonials, and data insights. Intuitive navigation will provide the full scope of BOC credentials in tailored yet comprehensive approaches, along with new insights to explore and much more. Be on the lookout for additional details in the coming months.

CDC and CMS Recognize ASCP BOC SCT certification - Specialist in Cytology

Effective July 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recognized the ASCP BOC SCT certification as an approved board examination for individuals to meet the CLIA personnel qualifications of 42 CFR 493.1483. Click here for complete information.

This approval is inclusive of all SCT(ASCP) credential holders, including those who tested under Route 3 prior to July 2024. With this approval, all CT(ASCP) and SCT(ASCP) credential holders are recognized in the CLIA personnel qualifications of 42 CFR 493.1483. This is a significant win for all ASCP BOC credentialed cytologists and the patients they serve.

Click on the credential for additional information about the CT(ASCP) and SCT(ASCP).

Update from the September 2024 BOC Board of Governors Meeting

The ASCP BOC Board of Governors met September 7-8, 2024, in Chicago, IL. One motion was passed that impacts eligibility requirements, as summarized below.

Updates to Eligibility Requirements

Diplomate in Medical Laboratory Immunology, DMLI(ASCP)

As CMS has approved the Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) degree as a qualifying doctoral degree for a high complexity laboratory director, the DCLS has been added as an acceptable degree for eligibility under Routes 2 and 3. See http://www.ascp.org/boc/dmli for complete information.

Joint Annual Meeting (JAM)* Update

The ASCP BOC had a wonderful opportunity to meet with applicants, credential holders, educators, hiring managers, military colleagues, and program directors at the Joint Annual Meeting of ASCLS, AGT, and SAFMLS (JAM) July 8-12, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. There were several BOC sessions and posters presented:

  • The BOC Update was presented by Vicki Freeman PhD, MASCP, MLS(ASCP)CMSCCM, FADLM, Chair of the ASCP BOC BOG and Amy Spiczka, DHSc, MS, HTL(ASCP)CMSCT, MBCM, CPHQ, Executive Director of the ASCP BOC.
  • On Tuesday, July 9th, Vicki Freeman and Amy Spiczka met with the DCLS subgroup. The BOC hosted the inaugural DCLS Examination Committee on August 12, 2024. Their primary focus will be the practice analysis development.
  • Amy Spiczka presented a poster titled "Enhancing Patient Safety through Continuous Professional Development: The Positive Impact of the ASCP BOC’s Credential Maintenance Program (CMP)." The presentation highlighted the vital role of CMP in ensuring laboratory professionals remain current with advancements in their field, thereby enhancing patient safety and quality of care.
  • Kristin Blake, MA, Director BOC Operations, engaged attendees at the BOC booth.

BOC team members enjoyed meeting and learning from those in attendance, and congratulations to our winners of the "Citation of ASCP BOC Credentials" activity. Thank you to all who attended sessions, asked insightful questions, and engaged with BOC team members throughout the event.

Clinical Laboratory Educators’ Conference (CLEC)

CLEC will be held March 6-8 in Atlanta, GA. The ASCP BOC will be exhibiting at this event as well as presenting an informational BOC Update session. BOC team members will be available to answer questions and are excited to discuss the value of credentialing with educators and program directors!

Transcript Processing Timelines

All electronic transcripts must be manually downloaded and connected to an application before processing and review can begin. ASCP BOC staff receive a high volume of transcripts daily, particularly during the months of March – August.

  • Once received by the ASCP BOC, electronic transcripts will be downloaded within 2 weeks.
  • From September – February, allow up to 6 weeks after a transcript has been downloaded for processing.
  • From March – August, allow up to 8 weeks after a transcript has been downloaded for processing.

Please remind your students not to submit duplicate documents before this time has elapsed. Once submitted, students’ documents are in queue for staff review and action.

The timelines above only apply to transcripts that are submitted correctly. For complete information, visit the ASCP BOC website and see “Submitting Transcripts” and “Was My Transcript Submitted Correctly?” Please note that ASCP Customer Relations will not be able to provide information regarding the status of submitted transcripts.

Important note for Histotechnology program directors: Students who complete a NAACLS accredited HT program and apply for the HT(ASCP) examination under Route 1, do NOT need to submit a transcript to the ASCP BOC. Route 1 requires only completion of your program, which you verify through the EEV. If you have any questions, please email us at PDInfo@ascp.org.

 

New: Medical Laboratory Job Titles and Description Templates Available

The ASCP BOC Nomenclature Task Force has created sample job descriptions and job titles for baccalaureate, entry-level medical laboratory personnel performing moderate and high complexity testing as defined by the CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) standards. The templates for Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) and Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) can be modified and used as needed to conform to institutional practices or licensing requirements. The ASCP BOC believes that creating consistency in job titles will contribute to greater recognition for the medical laboratory science profession. Included with the templates is a comparison of MLS to MLT job descriptions and qualifications to assist in providing clarity of expected distinctions.

A full list of nomenclature resources is available on the BOC website:

Take the Pledge!

The BOC is committed to creating an awareness of the profession and to tackle issues related to professional nomenclature, beginning with Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS). Join us now and take the pledge at www.ascp.org/boc/i-am-mls.

I pledge to:

  • Refer to myself as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) instead of Medical Technologist (Med Tech, MT) or Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS)
  • Refer to myself and colleagues as MLS, not as technologist or tech
  • Work with my managers, administrators, Human Resources (as applicable) at my organization to revise job titles to MLS
  • Tell at least one student, community member or colleague about the role and value of MLS

Sharing of PPR Information

The ASCP BOC would like to remind program directors that the Program Performance Report (PPR) is a paid subscription service meant for use by program directors and program administrators only; specific data from the PPR is not to be shared with the public, students, or graduates. The information contained in the PPR should be handled in a confidential manner which respects the rights of the individual whose scores are reported. Individual student data, subtest means, scaled score comparisons, and the histogram are not public information. This information should not be shared publicly, including for recruitment efforts or marketing purposes.

Any data that is shared with accrediting bodies or program administration must be anonymized and aggregated where possible. As an outcomes measure for accreditation purposes, program directors may publicly share overall program pass rates (i.e. Our graduates have a X year average pass rate of XX percent on national certification exams; the national average is XX percent).

Return to Top

Ethics and the Appropriate Use of Social Media

ASCP BOC Examination Questions - Copyright and Ethics Violations

ASCP BOC examinations are protected by copyright law. When your students apply for certification, they agree to adhere to the following statement stating, in part:

“I understand that this examination and all test questions are the exclusive property of the Board of Certification and are protected by copyright law. Because of the confidential nature of these copyright materials, I agree not to retain, copy, disclose or reveal any part of these examination materials . . .”

The ASCP BOC monitors the web and social media sites regularly for individuals or groups who claim to have questions from ASCP BOC examinations. These are sometimes called recalls, remembrances, or brain dumps. Individuals who contribute to these sites, or share examination items in any manner, are infringing on the ASCP BOC’s exclusive copyrights.

Be aware that students who reveal specific information from the examination, such as recalling examination questions and responses, to their peers and instructors are committing copyright infringement. If credential holders are found to be in violation, their credential will be revoked; all individuals found to be in violation will be barred permanently from taking any ASCP BOC examination.

Ethics Reminders

An ethics reminder has been added to all exams republished beginning in 2020. Examinees must agree to a statement at the end of their examination that they will not share exam items and that they understand this is a violation of copyright. Also, applicants receive an email the day after their exam reminding them that they have signed multiple pledges stating that they will not share exam material. In these reminders it is clearly laid out that if examinees share this type of information, and are caught doing so, they may have their certification revoked and be permanently barred from taking an ASCP BOC examination in the future.

Integrity Pledges

Please remind your students not to share information from the examination with anyone. Several program directors have instituted Integrity Pledges that students sign which explicitly state that sharing of exam content is an ethical violation. Please email us at PDInfo@ascp.org if you would like examples of these pledges.

Posting of Wall Certificates on Social Media

Please inform your students not to post images of their wall certificates or ASCP BOC documentation on social media. While we appreciate their enthusiasm and pride in becoming BOC-credentialed, these images can be used by unscrupulous individuals to misrepresent themselves as being credentialed by the BOC. To protect the integrity of ASCP BOC credentials and records, and for patient safety and welfare, it is important for individuals to protect their certificates from misuse. Please share the following with your students:

  • Do not share your wall certificate, score report, or ASCP Member ID card (if applicable) with anyone.
  • Do not post a copy or image of your wall certificate, score report, or ASCP Member ID card (if applicable) on the Internet or social media.

For complete information, please visit our website.

Return to Top

Program Completion

Review the Online Application

Before your students begin to apply, we encourage you to review the online application to better answer questions from your students. Log in to your ASCP account to apply without entering payment information. We encourage you to take screenshots to share with students and highlight any potential difficulties. Once saved, your application will remain in your account for six months. If you need assistance or have questions, email us at PDInfo@ascp.org.

Applying for an ASCP BOC Certification Exam – When and How Students Should Apply

Students should apply for an ASCP BOC certification exam no more than six weeks before program completion. If a student is uncertain about when they will be able to complete all components of the program, including clinical rotations, they should hold off on applying until they have a clearer timeframe.

Please make sure that your students know the correct date of their program completion; it is not necessarily the same as their graduation date. Students should enter their program completion date in the online application. Have students watch the application video, available here: www.ascp.org/certification.

Applications are processed on a continual basis, as they are received. See above for the most up to date information regarding timelines.

Exam Eligibility Verification (EEV) Report*

Please remember to check your email for notifications of Examination Eligibility Verification (EEV) Reports to review. You may log in to your individual ASCP account from anywhere you have access to the Internet.

It is imperative that program directors do not sign off on a student's eligibility until they are certain the student will complete all components of the program, including clinical requirements and final exams, by the program end date indicated on the EEV.

If you have already signed off on a student’s eligibility and have since learned they will not complete their program by the date indicated, please immediately email Angela Nunn, Manager of Application Processing, at angela.nunn@ascp.org.

Please note: If the program end date entered by the student is within a week after their actual program completion date, it does not need to be updated on the EEV. Updating a program end date can add up to a week to the processing time of the application, so please be sure your students are aware of their correct program end date.

Your students will not be able to schedule appointments to take the examination until you sign off on their eligibility through the EEV.

Scheduling Exams at a Pearson VUE Testing Location

We understand that you would like your students to test as soon as possible after program completion. As soon as they receive their Admission Notification, your students should go online to schedule their exam through the Pearson VUE website. It is reasonable to expect that students should be able to schedule an examination on their preferred date/location within 30 days of program completion.

All available testing dates and locations will be found through the Pearson VUE website. Candidates should schedule the first available exam appointment they can secure and continue to check back via their VUE web account regularly to see if there have been any cancellations. Testing appointments are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Use of Pass/Fail Grades*

We understand that some institutions use Pass/Fail grades. The ASCP BOC has always accepted the use of “Pass” on an official transcript in lieu of a passing grade, provided the quarter or semester hour credits assigned to the course are also indicated.

*United States only

Return to Top

Applications and Documentation

Submitting Official Transcripts*

The ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) is requesting that all official transcripts be submitted electronically. Official transcripts for U.S. categories must be sent directly from a student’s academic institution to the ASCP BOC.

If a student’s institution utilizes either Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse, students should choose “ASCP” as the receiving institution during the order process. If the electronic transcript will be sent directly from the registrar’s office, it should be sent to Transcripts.boc@ascp.org.

For complete information on how to submit transcripts, go to the ASCP BOC website and choose “Submitting Official Transcript(s).”

If your institution is unable to submit transcripts electronically, please mail them to the address below. Please note that there will be an additional delay of 2 weeks in the processing of all transcripts submitted through the mail.

ASCP BOC
Attention: Jackie Sanders
33 W. Monroe St, Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60603

If submitting electronic transcripts, please make sure your students are aware of the security features your institution implements. Official transcripts must remain accessible for the processing of an application and maintained as part of an applicant’s permanent record. If access to an electronic transcript expires, in order to complete their application, your students may be required to purchase and submit another official transcript to the ASCP BOC.

Submitting Documentation*

Documentation forms submitted through the mail will not be accepted or processed. Appropriate documentation forms and letters of authenticity must be uploaded as PDF files at the time of application. See the ASCP BOC website for further information.

Payment for Application Fees by an Institution*

We understand that some programs pay the application fee for multiple students at one time. This can be completed by calling 888-925-3399 to pay by credit card, or by submitting one check. When submitting payment, you must have the invoice number of the student’s application. For complete information, see the program director’s section of the website.

If paying by check, payment information, invoices, and checks, should be mailed to:

ASCP Board of Certification
3462 Eagle Way
Chicago, IL 60678

Exam Results

Immediately after completing the certification examination, your students will see their preliminary results on the computer screen, indicated as “Pass” or “Fail.” Within four business days, students will receive an email notification to log in to see their score report if their official transcript has been fully processed by the ASCP BOC.

Any student who takes the certification examination without submitting a final academic transcript at the time of application will not receive access to their score report. As program director, encourage these students to submit their final transcripts verifying completion of the academic requirements within one year of their examination date. As a courtesy, monthly email reminders will be sent to these students reminding them to submit their official transcript to the BOC office. If their transcript is not received within one year of their examination date, their examination score will be invalidated, and they will not be certified. To become certified, they would need to submit a new application and fee and sit for the examination.

Students who have failed the exam are given subtest scores to help them focus their studying. Subtest scores are not provided to students who passed the exam because it does not serve a useful purpose, and we ask that you do not share this level of information with them.

*United States only

Return to Top

PPR Information

Program Performance Report (PPR)*

Emails with a link to access the 2025 Program Performance Report (PPR) invoices were sent to all program directors of NAACLS, CAAHEP, and ABHES accredited programs, as well as BOC documented structured phlebotomy technician (PBT) and medical laboratory assistant (MLA) training programs, on November 5, 2024, and a reminder email will be sent in January. The invoice amount is $175 per program and covers the period of January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025. The invoice can also be accessed through your ASCP account under “Management Tools.” Payment instructions are included on the invoice.

Instructions for Electronic Payments
If your Accounts Payable Department will be submitting payment electronically, please work with your colleagues to ensure that the order number is included with the electronic payment. To ensure that your payment is applied to the correct order, email PDInfo@ascp.org and provide the date the electronic payment was sent, the name that appears as the sender, tracking details, and any other identifying information. Not following these procedures may result in significant processing delays, during which time you will not have access to PPR data.

If you would like a receipt to confirm payment, please send your request to PDInfo@ascp.org; a receipt will be emailed to you within 3-5 business days.

Please note that your PPR invoice must be paid to access data for previous years. If you believe your invoice has been paid, please log in to your account to ensure that you have access to PPR data and do not see a link to the 2024 invoice. If you see a link for an invoice, it is likely that payment has not been received and/or fully processed. For complete information, see pages 30-34 of the Program Director’s Guide to Certification.

If you have questions, please contact us at PDInfo@ascp.org.

Access to Program Performance Reports for Faculty*

If there is someone other than the program director who should also have access to the PPR information, please email PDinfo@ascp.org with the name of the institution, school code, and name and email address of the individual(s) who should have PPR access. Please note that the program director will remain the only person able to access the Exam Eligibility Verification (EEV) to verify students’ completion of the program.

Do You Have Students Missing From Your PPR or EEV Reports?*

When your students complete the online application, please remind them to use the drop-down list of programs to select the program they completed. Some schools have programs in multiple cities or states. Please advise your students to make sure they choose the correct program in the correct location. Students should not enter the name of the program manually as the school’s name will not be recognized, and these students’ names will not appear on your PPR or EEV reports. If your program is not listed, please let us know immediately by contacting us at PDInfo@ascp.org.

*United States only

Return to Top

Important Information for Students

Important Information for Students in California and New York

Important Information for Students in California and New York

Please ensure that your students become certified and complete the examination for state licensure by applying for certification and licensure on the online application. If students apply for licensure only, they will be required to reapply for certification and take the certification examination. By applying for and taking the certification examination, their examination scores are acceptable for licensure in California and New York. All other state licensure requirements must be met to obtain state licensure. For additional information, see the CA and NY NAACLS student information form. For complete information, please visit our website: State Licensure.

Applicants Requesting Testing Modifications

If any of your students require testing accommodations, they must notify our office in writing before they apply. Complete information is available on the BOC website.

Official Transcripts*

Students from NAACLS, CAAHEP, and ABHES accredited/approved programs are able to sit for their BOC exam one time prior to official transcripts being received and processed by the ASCP BOC.

If a degree is required to meet eligibility requirements, please remind your students to request an official college/university transcript be sent to the ASCP BOC. This official transcript is required before examination scores are made available. Please note that students are not certified until their transcript is received and processed by the ASCP BOC.

Official transcripts for U.S. categories must be sent directly from a student’s academic institution to the ASCP BOC.

*United States only

Return to Top

Get Involved!

Program Directors Group on Facebook*

If you haven’t already, please join the ASCP BOC Program Director’s Group on Facebook. The group is for directors of NAACLS, CAAHEP, and ABHES accredited laboratory programs, as well as education and clinical coordinators and faculty, whose students seek ASCP BOC certification. Supported by volunteers with several years of program experience, the group aims to become the program director’s resource for information and support.

BOC Facebook Page

In addition to the Program Director’s Group, the ASCP BOC also has a Facebook page. You can follow the page to see the BOC Study Guide Question of the Week and to follow what is happening with the ASCP BOC.

Certification Exam Committees and Qualification Work Groups*

All ASCP BOC Examination Committees and Qualification Work Groups consist of laboratory professionals representing broad geographic regions of the United States and laboratory facilities of various types and sizes. They are responsible for the development, maintenance, and evaluation of exam items, as well as setting the standards for exams and performing practice analyses. To review the current Exam Committee and Work Group openings and submit an application, please visit the BOC Volunteer page.

*United States only

Return to Top

Program Director Resources

BOC Resources Video

Check out a video that will help you find the online BOC resources designed just for you and guide you and your students through the certification process and beyond.

Annual Exam Statistics Available Online

2023 ASCP BOC examination statistics are available here: Annual Exam Statistics. See information about 2023 examinees, including NAACLS, CAAHEP, or ABHES first-time pass rates, as well as the total number of credential holders in all categories. Information is available for ASCP and ASCPi certification examinations, as well as qualification exams.

Changes in Program Director or Program Information

Please be sure to notify the ASCP BOC office at PDInfo@ascp.org if there has been, or will soon be, a change in program director. Please also let us know if any of your program information changes such as email address, program status, name of institution, or mailing address.

For program directors whose students are applying for ASCPi examinations, and for questions regarding ASCPi certification, please email Angela Sreckovic at angela.sreckovic@ascp.org.

Program Director’s Guide to Certification*

The Program Director’s Guide to Certification contains information about ASCP BOC exams, a useful Application Timeline, detailed information about how to best help your students before and after the examination, and complete information about the EEV and PPR. Find it here.

Certification Examinations

Brief explanations on a variety of topics related to the ASCP BOC certification examinations are available here.

How to Locate Your Certification Number

If you need to locate your certification number, you may access it by logging in to your ASCP account and clicking on “Home Page” under “My BOC Activities.” Then click on the “View Certifications” link.

If you require primary source verification of your certification, you can place an order through our website at Verification of Credentials. There is a $16 charge for this service.

Structured Training Programs in Blood Banking, Chemistry, Hematology, and Microbiology

Do you direct a NAACLS-accredited Medical Laboratory Science training program? If so, have you ever considered offering a separate structured program in a single categorical area for students who may not have the time or money to complete a full MLS program? Individuals who complete structured training programs in a single area under the auspices of a NAACLS accredited MLS program, with the requisite academic education, qualify for a technologist examination in blood banking, chemistry, hematology, or microbiology under Route 3. See detailed information on the structured program requirements.

*United States only

Return to Top

ASCP Board of Certification Contacts

Please contact the following individuals if you have questions or concerns regarding:

Share eLinks

Feel free to forward eLinks to Education Coordinators or other program officials who might benefit from the information included in this resource.

Having Difficulty Receiving Emails?

Please add ascp@site02.ascpmail.org to your “safe” email list. This will ensure that emails regarding PPRs, EEV reports, and this resource will be delivered directly to you, and not to spam or junk mail.

Also, make sure that you have opted in to receiving BOC emails. Log in to your ASCP account and choose “Profile and Settings.” From there, choose “Communications” to review your preferences. Please make sure that “Board of Certification” is not checked.

Questions or Comments?

If you have any questions or comments on the information contained in this issue, please email us at PDInfo@ascp.org. We look forward to hearing from you.

*United States only

Return to Top