PA (ASCP) - Pathology Assistant

Pathology assistants provide services in anatomic pathology under the supervision of pathologists. Skills include examination and dissection of specimens, postmortem examinations, frozen section preparation, photographing specimens, tissue preparation for histological processing, and administrative tasks.

How to Qualify for the Pathologists’ Assistant Exam

To qualify for the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certification exam, candidates must meet two requirements:

• Successfully complete a NAACLS accredited Pathologists’ Assistant program within five years of application

• Obtain a minimum of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university

Applying for the Examination

Applications are submitted online along with documentation of eligibility. This includes experience documentation forms, training documentation, and official transcripts.

Applications are processed within 60 business days. Applicants will receive an email notification to login to their ASCP account to review the status of their application. If eligible, an Admission Notification will be available with instructions on scheduling the exam.

Fees

• Exam Fee: $530

• Fees will increase by $10 beginning July 1, 2023.

Exam Format

Exams are computer-based and administered through Pearson VUE Testing Centers. 

ASCP Board of Certification uses adaptive computer testing (CAT), which means questions will increase in difficulty as the test-taker answers them correctly. If a question is answered incorrectly, the next question will be slightly easier. This creates a unique test not influenced by the scores of other test-takers.

There are 100 multiple-choice questions on the test with 2 hours and 30 minutes allowed for testing.

Test Results

A pass/fail score will appear immediately on the computer screen after completing the exam. A notification of the exam score will be sent within 4 business days. A minimum passing score is 400.

Renewal occurs every 3 years through the Credential Maintenance Program (CMP). Pathology assistants must accrue 60 points in the following categories:

• 1 point in laboratory or patient safety

• 20 points in anatomic pathology

• 15 points in advanced anatomic pathology

• 1 point in medical ethics

• Remaining points in anatomic pathology, management, education, or other specialties

Documentation of credits must be entered online through ASCP. These will populate into the CMP Declaration Form. Once all requirements have been met, the form and fee can be submitted.

Renewal Fee

• Renewal fee: $95

• Reinstatement fee: $125

• Fee is reduced by $15 if renewing multiple ASCP certifications that expire on the same day or will expire in three months of each other.

Effective 1/1/2023, all certification categories are required to complete one CMP point of continuing education in the area of medical ethics (e. g., HIPAA, compliance, confidentiality training.)

The ASCP offers resources for exam candidates, including:

• Content Guideline

• Reading List

• Accredited Colleges and Universities

• Exam and Certification Procedures

The ASCP also offers the following:

• Technologist in Blood Banking (BB)

• Technologist in Chemistry (C)

• Technologist in Cytogenetics (CG)

• Cytotechnologist (CT)

• Technologist in Hematology (H)

• Technologist in Microbiology (M)

• Technologist in Molecular Biology (MB)

• Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS)

• Histotechnologist (HTL)