Buy Specialist in Cytometry SCYM (ASCP) License Online

As of October 1, 2017, the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) began offering a Specialist Certification in Cytometry.  Prior to that the only other professional Cytometry certifications available were the “Qualification in Cytometry” (QCYM) offered by the ASCP and the Certification in Cytometry (CCy) created as a joint effort between ICCS and ISAC that was overseen and administered by a committee referred to as the Cytometry Administration Committee (CAC) .  Both certifications shared common goals of demonstrating expertise in the field of flow cytometry and both required a certain amount of education and experience to be eligible to sit for an exam.  Upon successful completion of the exam a credential was then awarded to the individual.  In 2016 the CAC and ASCP held meetings to discuss the possibility of creating a new credential that would be overseen by the ASCP  and it eventually became the Specialist in Cytometry, SCYM.  The requirements for eligibility and the exam itself would include more education and experience and the content of the exam would include questions about both clinical and research applications.  Ongoing requirements for maintaining the credential would be completing 36 or more hours of approved continuing education (CE) over 3 years.

The SCYM(ASCP) credential, or Specialist in Cytometry, is a certification from the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) that validates a professional’s expertise in both clinical and research flow cytometry. It replaces older certifications like the ASCP’s QCYM and the ICC’s CCy. The certification requires meeting specific educational and experience requirements, then passing a multiple-choice examination covering topics such as instrumentation, experiment design, applications, data analysis, and laboratory operations. 
 
What is the SCYM(ASCP)?
  • Purpose: 
    It is a credential for professionals who demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills in the field of flow and image cytometry. 
     
  • Provider: 
    The American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification offers the SCYM(ASCP) certification and examination. 
     
  • Content: 
    The exam covers a broad range of topics including instrumentation, panel/experiment design, applications in both clinical and research settings, data analysis, and laboratory operations. 
     
Eligibility Requirements:
To be eligible for the SCYM(ASCP) exam, you must typically meet one of the following criteria: 
 
  • Have a baccalaureate degree in a relevant life science, engineering, or physics field.
  • Possess four years of full-time, relevant laboratory experience in cytometry within the last eight years.
Exam Details: 
 
  • Format: The examination consists of 100 multiple-choice questions.
  • Duration: Candidates have 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete the exam.
  • Focus: Questions can be theoretical, requiring the application of knowledge and correlation of results to disease states, or procedural, testing laboratory techniques and quality assurance protocols.
How to Pursue the Certification:
  1. Meet Eligibility: Ensure you meet the educational and experience requirements. 
     
  2. Apply to ASCP: Apply to the ASCP Board of Certification for the SCYM credential. 
     
  3. Study for the Exam: Utilize study resources like clinical flow cytometry textbooks, review articles, and online forums to prepare for the exam content. 
     
  4. Take the Exam: Successfully complete the 100-question SCYM exam within the allotted time. 
     
Why Get Certified?
  • Career Advancement: 
    The SCYM(ASCP) certification can help you stand out in your field, potentially opening doors to new opportunities. 
     
  • Validation of Expertise: 
    It validates your specialized skills and knowledge in a complex and evolving area of medical laboratory science. 
     
  • Industry Recognition: 
    The certification is recognized by professional organizations, including the International Society for Advancement of Cytometry (ISAC) and the International Clinical Cytometry Society (ICCS), which also contribute to the exam’s content development. 
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