American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)

Specialist in Chemistry, SC (ASCP)

Credential: Specialist in Chemistry, SC (ASCP)  GI Bill resource  ANSI resource
Credentialing Agency: American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)

Renewal Period: 3 years

The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), Specialist in Chemistry, SC (ASCP) certification validates individuals understanding and knowledge of advanced scientific principles as well as the technical, procedural and research aspects of laboratory chemistry. The specialist should have knowledge of the structure and function of the organization, principles of management and education as well as the roles of other members of the health care team. Candidates must meet one of six eligibility routes to qualify to sit for the exam.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

Specialist in Chemistry, SC (ASCP)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

 

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite: MT/MLS(ASCP) certification or C(ASCP) certification
  • Experience: 3 years
  • Education: Bachelors
  • Training
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for becoming eligible. Listed are the minimum requirements based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: 3 years

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)

33 West Monroe Street
Suite 1600
Chicago, IL  60603

Phone: (800) 267-2727

Fax: (312) 541-4472
Contact Page

Education/Training and/or Experience REQUIREMENTS

Route 1:

Candidates must have a MT/MLS (ASCP) certification or C (ASCP) certification, and a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university, and three years of full time acceptable experience in the clinical laboratory in chemistry in the U.S., Canada or an accredited laboratory within the last six years.

Route 2:

Candidates must have a Master’s degree in chemistry, biology, immunology, microbiology, allied health, clinical laboratory sciences, or an appropriately related field, from a regionally accredited college/university, and three years of full time acceptable experience in the clinical laboratory in chemistry in the U.S., Canada or an accredited laboratory within the last six years.

Route 3:

Candidates must have a doctorate in chemistry, biology, immunology, microbiology, allied health, clinical laboratory sciences, or an appropriately related field, from a regionally accredited college/university, and two years of post-doctoral fellowship in clinical chemistry in the U.S. or Canada or two years of full time acceptable experience in the clinical laboratory in chemistry in the U.S., Canada or an accredited laboratory within the last five years.

Route 4:

Candidate must have a MT/MLS (ASCP) certification or C (ASCP) certification, and a doctorate in chemistry, biology, immunology, microbiology, allied health, clinical laboratory sciences, or an appropriately related field, from a regionally accredited college/university, and one year of full-time acceptable laboratory experience in chemistry (clinical or research) in the U.S. or Canada or an accredited laboratory within the last five years.

Route 5:

Candidates must have a MT/MLS (ASCP) certification or C (ASCP) certification, and a baccalaureate or master’s degree from a regionally accredited college/university, and three years of full-time acceptable experience as an academic educator in clinical chemistry at a regionally accredited college/university in the U.S., Canada or an accredited laboratory within the last six years.

Route 6:

Candidates must have a MT/MLS (ASCP) certification or C (ASCP) certification, and a doctorate in chemistry, biology, immunology, microbiology, allied health, clinical laboratory sciences, or an appropriately related field, from a regionally accredited college/university, and one year of full-time acceptable experience as an academic educator in clinical chemistry at a regionally accredited college/university in the U.S. or Canada or an accredited laboratory within the last five years.

Clinical laboratory experience must include eight of the fifteen procedures listed below: 

  • Blood gases
  • Carbohydrates
  • Chromatography
  • Electrolytes
  • Electrophoresis
  • Enzymes
  • Heme compounds
  • Hormones/vitamins
  • Immunochemistry
  • Lipids/lipoproteins
  • Non-protein nitrogen compounds
  • Proteins
  • Therapeutic drug monitoring
  • Toxicology
  • Point-of-care

Experience is also required in two of the six procedures listed below:

  • Test development/validation
  • Procurement of laboratory equipment
  • Quality management
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Supervisory experience
  • Teaching

Written Exam

  • General Chemistry (10-15%)
    • Carbohydrates
    • Lipids
    • Heme Derivatives
  • Proteins and Enzymes (20-25%)
    • Enzymes
    • Proteins and Other Nitrogen Containing Compounds
  • Acid-Base, Blood Gases and Electrolytes (10-15%)
    • Acid-Base Determinations (Including Blood Gases)
    • Electrolytes
  • Hormones and Vitamins (10-15%)
    • Endocrinology
    • Vitamins and Nutrition
  • Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (5-10%)
    • Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
    • Toxicology
  • Instrumentation and Analytical Techniques (5-10%)
    • Spectrophotometry and Photometry
    • Mass Spectrometry
    • Osmometry
    • Manual/Automated Analytics
    • Electrophoresis
    • Chromatography
    • Electrochemistry
    • Centrifuges and Balances
    • Molecular Techniques
    • Point-of-Care Testing (POCT)
  • Laboratory Operations for Technologist in Chemistry Only (15-20%)
    • Mathematics
    • Quality Assurance
    • Safety
    • Management
    • Research and Development
    • Education
    • Laboratory Information Systems (LIS)
  • Laboratory Operations for Specialist in Chemistry Only (20-25%)
    • Mathematics
    • Management and Quality Assurance
    • Safety
    • Research and Development
    • Education
    • Laboratory Information Systems (LIS)

RECERTIFICATION

Specialist in Chemistry, SC (ASCP)

Renewal Period: 3 years

The Specialist in Chemistry, SC (ASCP) credential has the following recertification information:

  • SC (ASCP) certification is valid for 3 years. Certification holders must accrue 36 points with 1 point in laboratory or patient safety (i.e., quality control, quality assurance), 10 points in area of specialty, and the remaining points in area of laboratory specialty, management, education or other related laboratory areas of interest. Complete information can be found in the Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) handbook.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

COOL Summary

Click to go to the COOL Summary page for this MOC.

Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

Promotion Points

This certification has been approved for promotion points.

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Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Proponent Funded

Indicates the credential may have funding through the MOS proponent. Some proponents offer credentialing opportunities in conjunction with military training and/or as part of MOS development beyond the training base.

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Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click 'Complete Voucher and Apply' at the top of any page.

CG Bucks

Coming Soon - Coast Guard policy regarding service member eligibility requirements to participate in the Voluntary Credentialing Program is under review with a projected release date of first quarter FY20.

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 and Above

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 and Above

LaDR

This credential is recommended on the rating Learning and Development Roadmap (LaDR) for Sailors currently in the pay grade indicated on the icon, BUT MAY BE TAKEN BY SAILORS IN OTHER PAY GRADES.

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GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill. Click for external link to GI Bill licensing and certification information.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

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ANSI

This credential has been accredited by ANSI. Click for external link to the ANSI web site.

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ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC. Click for external link to the ICAC web site.

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ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC. Click for external link to the ABSNC web site.

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NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA. Click for external link to the NCCA web site.

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IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS. Click for external link to the IAS web site.

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Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: mimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty

Army e-learning

State-of-the art Computer Based Training available for free to the Army Workforce. Click for more information.

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NKO e-learning

Credential preparation courses are provided at no cost through Navy e-Learning. Click for external link to the Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) web site, then select the “Navy e-Learning” link within the “Learning” tab to proceed to Navy e-Learning.

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
Registered Apprenticeship
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Updated: October 16, 2019
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