ascp-cmp-us-booklet-final

CMP

U.S. Credential

Maintenance Program

APRIL 2023

US ASCP BOC Certication

categories* under the

Credential Maintenance

Program (CMP) are accredited

by the American National

Standards Institute (ANSI).

*with the exception of MLA,

SCYM, SMB

2 ASCP Board of Certification

In keeping with our ongoing commitment to assure the continued

competence of medical laboratory personnel, the ASCP Board of

Certication (BOC) developed the Credential Maintenance Program

(CMP). This booklet will acquaint you with the requirements of the

CMP and provide you with everything you need to know to com-

plete the program.

The CMP provides an opportunity to obtain a wide variety of

learning experiences that demonstrate your professional compe-

tency and dedication to excellence in the workplace. Some of the

qualifying activities include: employer offered course work, writing

journal articles, serving on committees or boards, competence as-

sessment by your employer, and participating in formal continuing

education courses.

In addition to helping you maintain your professional certication, the

CMP can help you stay current on developments in your eld and

provide opportunities for both professional and personal enrichment.

For additional information, please refer to the BOC CMP website

www.ascp.org/cmp.

The Board of Certification does not discriminate among applicants as to age, gen-

der, race, religion, national origin, disability, marital status or sexual orientation.

All program requirements, processes and fees as stated in this booklet are subject

to change without prior notice. Revised 4/2023

U.S. Credential Maintenance Program 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

U.S. CMP: WHAT YOU NEED TO DO .............................................................................................. 4-6

Required CMP Participation ................................................................................................................................ 4

Voluntary Participation* ....................................................................................................................................... 5

Individuals with Multiple Certications .................................................................................................................. 5

Synchronizing Multiple Certications .................................................................................................................... 5

Point Allocation ................................................................................................................................................... 6

Steps for Completing the CMP............................................................................................................................ 6

CMP Application Fees ......................................................................................................................................... 6

Failure to Participate in CMP ............................................................................................................................... 6

Documentation for Audit ..................................................................................................................................... 6

U.S. CMP REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................8-9

Imporatant Information Regarding New CMP Point Requirements ....................................................................... 9

CMP COVID-RELATED CONTINUING EDUCATION (CE) ................................................................ 10

U.S. CMP POINT ALLOCATION ....................................................................................................... 11

GUIDELINES FOR EARNING CMP POINTS ...............................................................................12-13

SUGGESTED LIST OF PROVIDERS ................................................................................................. 14

DECLARATION AND COMPLETION OF CMP ................................................................................. 15

Online Declaration Form Process ...................................................................................................................... 15

Deadline Dates .................................................................................................................................................. 15

Change of Name/Address ................................................................................................................................. 15

Decient CMP Declarations ............................................................................................................................... 15

Successful Completion of CMP ......................................................................................................................... 15

AUDIT PROCESS ............................................................................................................................. 16

Required Documentation .................................................................................................................................. 16

Activity .............................................................................................................................................................. 16

Documentation ................................................................................................................................................. 16

Submission Procedure ...................................................................................................................................... 16

Sucessful Completion of CMP After Audit ......................................................................................................... 16

AUDIT APPEALS PROCESS ............................................................................................................ 17

Audit Appeals Procedure................................................................................................................................... 17

Inactive Status for Requires CMP Participation .................................................................................................. 17

Reinstatement for Expired certication .............................................................................................................. 17

Reinstatement for NCA Certicants ................................................................................................................... 17

Lapsed NCA Certicants at Time of Unication ................................................................................................. 17

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ................................................................................................ 18

COMPLETING U.S. CMP— STEP BY STEP..................................................................................... 19

4 ASCP Board of Certification

The goal of the Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) is to

demonstrate to the public that laboratory professionals with the

“CM” designation are completing continuing education (CE) activi-

ties to stay current in their practice.

REQUIRED CMP PARTICIPATION

The U.S. CMP is required for all individuals who became newly ASCP

certied on or after January 1, 2004 in the following categories.

NCA certied: CMP participation is required for all NCA certicants

who are not ASCP certied in the same category prior to the CMP

start dates noted for ASCP technician, technologist and specialist

categories.

Apheresis Technician (AT)

Cytologist (CT)

Donor Phlebotomy Technician (DPT)

Histotechnician (HT)

Histotechnologist (HTL)

Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA)

Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS)

Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)

Pathologists’ Assistant (PA)*

Phlebotomy Technician (PBT)

Technologist in Blood Banking (BB)

Technologist in Chemistry (C)

Technologist in Cytogenetics (CG)

Technologist in Hematology (H)

Technologist in Immunology( I )

Technologist in Microbiology (M)

Technologist in Molecular Biology (MB)

* The CMP is required for all Pathologists’ Assistants who are ASCP certied.

U.S. CMP: WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

The CMP is required for all individuals who became newly certied

on or after January 1, 2006 in the following categories:

Diplomate in Laboratory Management (DLM)

Hemapheresis Practitioner (HP)

Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB)

Specialist in Chemistry (SC)

Specialist in Cytology (SCT)

Specialist in Cytometry (SCYM)

Specialist in Hematology (SH)

Specialist in Immunology (SI)

Specialist in Laboratory Safety (SLS)

Specialist in Microbiology (SM)

Specialist in Molecular Biology (SMB)

Specialist in Virology (SV)

The required CMP as described in this booklet must be completed

every three years to maintain certication. To successfully complete

the program, documented activities demonstrating continued

competence must be completed prior to the certication expiration

date. An online declaration form documenting your required CEs,

along with the CMP application fee must be submitted at least one

month prior to the certication expiration date.

CE activities completed before your current three-year certication

cycle begins will not be accepted. For example, if your three-year

certication cycle is January 1, 2024 through January 31, 2027,

you will need to complete your continuing education between those

dates. (See FAQ3 on page 18.) CEs or CMP points may only be

used for one certication cycle.

Upon successful completion of the program, your certication is

valid for the next three-year cycle. The superscript “CM” follow-

ing your certication credential indicates you have successfully

maintained certication under the CMP. {e.g., MLS(ASCP)

} If

you do not participate in the required CMP, and your certication

expires, you are no longer permitted to use the ASCP certication

credential after your name. (See Reinstatement for Expired BOC

Certication on page 17.)

U.S. Credential Maintenance Program 5

VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION*

Individuals ASCP certied prior to mandatory CMP (Refer to dates

indicated on the chart on page 8.), are not required to participate

in the program; however, voluntary participation is encouraged since

continuing education (CE) provides many personal and professional

benets. If you choose to participate in this program on a voluntary

basis, CEs completed three years prior to the date you submit your

online declaration form to the Board of Certication would qualify

for the program as long as they meet the CMP requirements for

your certication category. For example, if you submit your online

declaration form May 15, 2024, CEs must be completed between

May 15, 2021and May 15, 2024.

Upon successful completion of the program, the designation “CM”

in superscript, is added after your certication credential [e.g.,

MLS(ASCP)CM] for the three-year period your certication is valid

under the CMP cycle. If you choose not to continue your voluntary

participation in the program, you are no longer permitted to use the

superscript “CM” after your certication credential. However, your

original certication remains valid, with no expiration date

* Certication categories retired prior to required CMP are eligible for voluntary

participation.

INDIVIDUALS WITH MULTIPLE CERTIFICATIONS

A separate online declaration form must be completed for each

certication category that requires participation in the CMP to

demonstrate maintenance of competence. You may use the same

activities for more than one category of certication, provided they

meet the CMP requirements for the certication category and are

completed within the required time frame. For example, the same

activity (worth 1 point) in Laboratory or Patient Safety may be used

to meet that CMP requirement for more than one certication. For

multiple certications with the same expiration date or within three

months of each other, a discounted fee may apply when both dec-

laration forms are submitted online within the same 24-hour period.

If you have a lower and higher level certication in the same area

(e.g., MLT and MLS), the higher level certication supersedes the

lower level certication. In this case, you would not need to main-

tain the lower level certication under CMP. This is your choice.

Technically, the lower level certication is dropped from your

credential.

SYNCHRONIZING MULTIPLE CERTIFICATIONS

Certicants with multiple certications may be eligible to synchro-

nize the end dates of their certication cycles and the completion

of the CMP renewal process. To establish the process, it would re-

quire shortening the three-year cycle of one certication to coincide

with the end date of the other. Synching certication cycles is

by request only.

To determine if you are eligible for synchronizing your certication

cycle end dates, please follow the steps provided below.

Example: Two certications with different CMP end dates:

Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS)

Expiration October 2025

Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB)

Expiration March 2024

1. Choose the earliest CMP expiration date of the two

certications (i.e. March 2024). This will be the expiration date

you will use for both certications. Because all CE points must

be completed within a three-year period, if you chose October

2025 in the example, the SBB would expire before then.

2. Email the BOC ofce at [email protected] with your

request**.

• Include your full name

• Customer ID number

• Credential categories / numbers

3. You will receive an e-mail response, and if eligible, you will be

provided with instructions to follow.

** If you have recently submitted a CMP Declaration online, you will not be

eligible for synching your end dates. The rst cycle for the synchronization of

two certications end dates must be submitted by email using a PDF declaration

form that will be provided to you upon approval. Thereafter, synchronizations may be

submitted online.

ASSIGNING CMP POINTS

Continuing education activities are awarded points based on the

Guidelines on pages 12–13. It is the responsibility of the

certicant to properly assign all CMP points to the required

areas for recertication or the declaration submission will be

marked decient.

6 ASCP Board of Certification

STEPS FOR COMPLETING THE CMP

1. Review the U.S. CMP booklet and information posted on the

ASCP website for requirements and instructions for completing

the program. Please visit www.ascp.org/cmp.

2. Within your three-year certication cycle, complete the

continuing education activities required for your certication

category. (As a courtesy, the BOC sends out CMP email

reminders, however, it is your responsibility to keep track of

your certication expiration date.* Be sure to keep your email

address up to date.)

*Reinstatement of an expired certication is subject to a $125 reinstatement fee.

3. Up to three (3) months prior to your certication expiration

date, complete the online declaration process and pay the

application fee by credit card. Please allow up to 30 business

days to process your declaration form. Faxed/emailed

declaration forms will not be accepted. CMP fees are

non-refundable.

PLEASE NOTE: the earliest a current (not expired)

certication cycle will update, is the rst day of the

month in which it expires.

4. Save all original certicates of attendance or any other type

of documentation of completion in the event your declaration

form is selected for audit.

5. If you receive notication that your declaration is being audited,

you will be required to submit copies of the certicates of

completion and any other documentation of completion at

that time.

6. Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive

access to an online renewal notication for your new three-year

certication cycle dates. The designation “CM” in superscript is

required after your certication credential to indicate you have

successfully maintained your certication. [e.g., MLT(ASCP)

]

U.S. CMP: WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

CMP APPLICATION FEES

CMP Application Fee: $95

CMP Reinstatement Fee: $125

(Reinstatement fee for expired certications is in addition to the

application fee.)

Reduced Fee for Multiple Certications: $15

For each additional certication with the same expiration date or

within three months of each other. To receive the reduced fee,

multiple declarations must be submitted separately on the same

business day.

PLEASE NOTE: CMP fees are non-refundable.

FAILURE TO PARTICIPATE IN CMP

If you are required to participate in the CMP as indicated in the chart

on page 7, and do not participate, your certication will no longer

be valid after the three-year expiration date and you will no longer

be permitted to use the ASCP certication credential after your

name. Information on reinstatement for expired certication

is located on page 17.

DOCUMENTATION FOR AUDIT

To ensure the integrity of the CMP program, a percentage of dec-

laration forms are audited to verify completion of the program. If

your declaration form is selected for audit, you will be notied and

required to submit documentation of completion verifying all CEs

submitted on your declaration form for recertication. (See Audit

Process on page 16 for further information.)

U.S. Credential Maintenance Program 7

8 ASCP Board of Certification

CERTIFICATION

CATEGORY

CMP REQUIRED FOR INDI-

VIDUALS ASCP CERTIFIED

BEGINNING IN THE YEAR

INDICATED*

TOTAL

POINTS

REQUIRED

REQUIRED POINTS DISTRIBUTION**

MLS, MLT 2004 36

• 1 point in laboratory or patient safety (i.e., quality control,

quality assurance)

• 2 points in each of the following: blood banking, chemistry,

hematology, microbiology

• Remaining points in area(s) of lab specialty, immunology,

molecular diagnostics, management, education, or other

related laboratory areas of interest

AT, BB, C, CG,

CT, H, HT, HTL, I,

M, MB

2004 36

• 1 point in laboratory or patient safety (i.e., quality control,

quality assurance)

• 2 points in area in which you are certied

• Remaining points in area(s) of lab specialty, immunology,

molecular diagnostics, management, education, or other

related laboratory areas of interest

DPT, PBT 2004 9

• 1 point in laboratory or patient safety (i.e., quality control,

quality assurance)

• 2 points in area in which you are certied (i.e., specimen

collection, identication, handling, transport

& processing, lab/center operations)

• Remaining points in area of specialty, management,

education, or other related lab areas of interest

MLA 2004 9

• 1 point in laboratory or patient safety (i.e., quality control,

quality assurance)

• 2 points in area which you are certied

• Remaining points in area(s) of lab specialty, immunology,

molecular diagnostics, management, education, or other

related laboratory areas of interest

All who are

ASCP Certied

• 1 point in laboratory or patient safety(i.e. quality control,

quality assurance)

• 20 points in anatomic pathology

• 15 points in advanced anatomic pathology(cancer

specimen examination/staging

• 1 point in medical ethics

• Remaining points in area(s) of anatomic pathology,

management, education or other clinical specialties

DLM, HP, SBB,

SC, SCT, SCYM,

SH, SI, SLS, SM,

SMB, SV

2006 36

• 1 point in laboratory or patient safety (i.e., quality control,

quality assurance)

• 10 points in area of specialty

• Remaining points in area of lab specialty, management,

education, or other related laboratory areas of interest

* And for all active NCA certicants who are not ASCP certied in the same category prior to required CMP.

** It is the responsibility of the certicant to properly assign all CMP points to the required areas for recertication.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: NEW in 2023 & 2024, CMP point requirements will be changing. Please see page 8 for details.

U.S. CMP REQUIREMENTS

U.S. Credential Maintenance Program 9

U.S. CMP REQUIREMENTS

Apheresis Technician – AT Histotechnician – HT

Technologist in Blood Banking – BB Histotechnologist – HTL

Technologist in Chemistry – C Technologist in Immunology - I

Technologist in Cytogenetics - CG Technologist in Microbiology - M

Cytologist – CT Technologist in Molecular Biology - MB

Technologist in Hematology – H

**THIS APPLIES TO THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES:

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING

NEW CMP POINT REQUIREMENTS

NEW IN 2023:

1 CMP POINT IN MEDICAL ETHICS*

CMP requirements will be revised to add 1 new CMP point in

medical ethics (e.g., HIPAA, DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion), sex-

ual harassment/microaggressions, compliance, condentiality, IRB,

etc.) for all certication cycles expiring beginning January 2023

and moving forward, regardless of when you submit your

completed online declaration form. This applies to all catego-

ries. This will not increase the overall total CMP points required.

*This requirement applies to ALL certication categories.

NEW IN 2024:

DEDICATED CMP POINTS IN THE AREA OF

CERTIFICATION (FROM 2 TO 8 POINTS**)

For equity in CMP requirements across all Technician and

Technologist categories CMP requirements will be revised as

follows. Dedicated CMP points in the areas of certication will

increase from 2 to 8 points for certication cycles listed in the

categories below expiring beginning January 2024 and moving

forward, regardless of when you submit your completed on-

line declaration form. This will not increase the overall total CMP

points required.

EXAMPLE: If your credential expires on January 31, 2023

and you submit your online declaration on November 15,

2022 (or sooner), you are required to complete and enter

the new CMP point in medical ethics for your January 31,

2023 expiration date.

EXAMPLE: If your credential expires on January 31, 2024

and you submit your online declaration on November 15,

2023 (or sooner), you are required to complete and enter

the new CMP points for your January 31, 2024 expiration

date.

10 ASCP Board of Certification

CMP COVID-RELATED CONTINUING EDUCATION (CE)

CMP COVID-RELATED CONTINUING EDUCATION

(CE) (CE completed March 1, 2020 - December 31, 2022)

The ASCP Board of Certication (BOC) recognizes the vital work

of laboratory professionals in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

and the critical professional development it necessitated. Because

of concerns about obtaining continuing education during the pan-

demic due to increased workloads and/or limited availability of

in-person training or conferences, the BOC is offering a time-limited

opportunity to use COVID-related activities performed within the

normal scope of work or outside normal job duties for up to 12

CMP points/CEUs towards recertication. These points should be

self-entered as a single CMP activity and allocated under “related

areas of interest” only on the online declaration form (please see

criteria and instructions below).

CRITERIA TO CLAIM CREDITS FOR THE CMP

• To be accepted, COVID-Related continuing education (CE)

activities must have been completed between March 1, 2020

and December 31, 2022 (and be within your three-year CMP

cycle).

• Activities must be work-related and new, additional, or out-

of-specialty skills or activities.

• Your Manager/Supervisor must review, verify, and sign-off on

the completed activities indicated on the CMP COVID-related

CE Claim Form.)

• The maximum number of CMP points accepted on the Claim

Form = 12.

• These CMP points may be used for related areas of interest

only.

• The CMP COVID-related CE Claim Form may be used one-time

only and for a single CMP cycle.

To claim credits, CMP points must be self-recorded in your online

declaration form AND the COVID-Related CE Claim Form must be

emailed to the ASCP Board of Certication for review and approval.

Self-record the total number of COVID-Related CEs you are claim-

ing as one entry in your online declaration form and allocate the

points towards “Related Areas of Interest.”

Refer to this link for complete instructions and to access the Claim

form: www.ascp.org/cmp/covid-points.

U.S. Credential Maintenance Program 11

U.S. CMP POINT ALLOCATION

1 CMP POINT = 1 CONTACT HOUR = 1 CMLE CREDIT

ACTIVITIES*

CONTACT/

CREDIT HOURS

CMP

POINTS

Formal continuing education courses: **ACCME, ASCP CMLE, AACC, professional

societies (including state, regional and ACCENT, ASCLS PACE, CE programs sponsored by

other local societies and chapters, universities and colleges or continuing education courses

sponsored by national or international professional societies)

1 contact hour

(50-60 minutes)

Employer-offered courses (in-service, instrument training, vendor-sponsored, etc.)

1 contact hour

(50-60 minutes)

College/university coursework (science, education, management or other courses

relevant to your laboratory career or lab related.) Courses must be lab related. CEs may not

exceed 50% of the total number of required CMP points

1 quarter hour

1 semester hour

15 (points

not to exceed

50% of total)

Teleconferences, subscription or online self-instructional courses for which ACCME,

CMLE, ACCENT, PACE or other professional society credits are awarded

1 contact hour

(50-60 minutes)

Completion of advanced BOC certication or qualication:

Specialist/Diplomate 25

Categorical or higher 12

Qualication 12

(These points may not be used for recertication points in the category for which they were

received. See FAQ5 on page 18.)

Competence Assessment by employer (must use ASCP BOC Employer Assessment

Form)

2 (per year/

max 4 pts.)

Documentation of Clinical Teaching: teaching students during their clinical rotation

within the scope of an accredited laboratory training program (must use ASCP BOC

Clinical Teaching Documentation Form)

1 (per year/

max 3 pts.)

Research & preparation for presentation or workshop (rst time only)

Each contact hour

of presentation

(50-60 minutes)

3 (points not

to exceed

50% of total

required)

Authoring journal articles for peer-reviewed publications 5

Authoring a book related to the laboratory profession:

(over 300 pages) 21

(under 300 pages) 14

(chapter in a book) 7

Editing a book related to the laboratory profession 5

Doctoral dissertation 10

Master’s thesis 4

Presenting posters/exhibits 3 (per year)

Serving on an active BOC examination committee or qualication workgroup 3 (per year)

Serving on committees/boards related to the profession

(national, state, regional, local)

2 (per year)

Role of on-site inspector/paper reviewer for laboratory accreditation

(CAP, The Joint Commission, AABB, COLA, state agency) or

training program accreditation (NAACLS, CAAHEP)

2 (per year)

* Activities must be related to area of specialty and safety as indicated.

** ACCME (Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education), ASCP CMLE (American Society for Clinical Pathology–Continuing Medical Laboratory Education), AACC ACCENT

(American Association for Clinical Chemistry–ACCENT programs), ASCLS PACE (American Society of Clinical Laboratory Science–PACE programs).

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the large volume of continuing education programs available, the Board of Certication will not respond to requests for approval of individual programs

or courses. If the program/course meets the criteria as described above, it will be accepted for CMP points. Program provider must assign points or contact hours.

12 ASCP Board of Certification

GUIDELINES FOR EARNING CMP POINTS

1. Formal continuing education courses

These courses may be completed through the programs/

organizations listed on the chart as well as through other

professional societies such as those listed under Suggested

List of Providers on page 14. Courses offered by state/

regional/local societies and chapters are acceptable as

well as courses offered through the continuing education

departments of colleges and universities. Courses offered by

organizations approved by state licensing boards are also

acceptable.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the large volume of

continuing education courses available, the Board of

Certication will not respond to requests for approval

of individual programs or courses. If the program/

course meets the criteria listed, it will be accepted for

CMP points. Program provider must assign points or

contact hours.

2. Employer-offered coursework

Structured programs, workshops, and in-services offered

through your employer or sponsored by a vendor will all

qualify for the CMP. (This does not include routine staff

meetings or job orientation.) Points or contact hours must be

assigned by employer/vendor.

3. College/university coursework

For example, courses in the biological/chemical/medical

sciences, computer management, or education. (Course

must be lab related.) CEs may not exceed 50% of

the total number of required CMP points for your

category.

4. Teleconference, subscription,

or online self-instructional courses

These courses are acceptable based on any of the following

criteria:

A. ACCME, CMLE, ACCENT, PACE credits

are awarded, OR

B. they are offered by a professional society

(including state, regional or local chapter), OR

C. the course is accepted by a state licensing

board, OR

D. the course is offered through a university

or college.

The CMP Requirements chart on page 8 outlines the number of points required to complete the Credential Maintenance Program.

The CMP Point Allocation chart on page 11 lists the activities for which points are awarded. The numbers listed below relate directly

to the numbered activities in the CMP Point Allocation chart.

5. Completion of advanced ASCP certication or

qualication

Achievement of a Specialist or Diplomate certication in the

following categories is acceptable for 25 CMP points:

Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB), Chemistry (SC), Cytology

(SCT), Cytometry (SCYM), Hematology (SH), Microbiology

(SM), Molecular Biology (SMB), Pathologists’ Assistant (PA)

and Dipol mate in Laboratory Management (DLM)

These points may not be used for recertication points in the category for

which they were received. (See FAQ5 on page 18.)

Categorical certication or higher level certication

Achievement of a categorical or higher level certication

is acceptable for 12 CMP points: Histotechnologist

(HTL), Technologists in Blood Banking (BB), Chemistry

(C), Cytologist (CT), Cytogenetics (CG), Hematology (H),

Microbiology (M) and Molecular Biology (MB).

Qualications

Achievement of a qualication is acceptable for 12 CMP

points: Qualications in Aphereis (QIA), Biorepository Science

(QBRS), Donor Phlebotomy (QDP), Immunohistochemistry

(QIHC), Laboratory Safety (QLS).

6. Competence assessment by employer

You may receive up to 2 CMP points per year (maximum of

2 years/4 points) by submission of an Employer Assessment

Form (ASCP BOC form required). Your employer must

complete the required Employer Assessment Form to

document your continued competency in the area(s) of your

employment. The date of the assessment must be included

on this form. One form per year submitted. Form available at

www.ascp.org/cmp.

7. Documentation of Clinical Teaching

You may receive up to 1 CMP point per year (maximumof

3 years/3pts) by submission of a Clinical Teaching

Documentation Form (ASCP BOC form required) for teaching

students during their clinical rotation within the scope of

an accredited laboratory training program. Documentation

form must be approved and signed to receive credit. Form

available at www.ascp.org/cmp.

U.S. Credential Maintenance Program 13

8. Research and preparation for presentation or

workshop

You may receive 3 CMP points for each contact hour of

a presentation/workshop you prepare and deliver, for the

rst time only. (Beyond the scope of your job.) Subsequent

presentations of the same workshop are not awarded any

points. Total points for presentations/workshops may

not exceed 50% of the total number of required points

for your category.

9. Authoring journal articles for peer-reviewed

publications

Points are awarded for writing articles in peer-reviewed

journals in the laboratory field or in journals for

professional associations in the areas of education and

management.

“I liked that the CMP

challenged me to

keep reading across

multiple disciplines

within the laboratory

sciences eld.”

-Walter Oliveira, MLS(ASCP)

GUIDELINES FOR EARNING CMP POINTS

12. Doctoral dissertation

13. Master’s thesis

14. Presenting a poster or exhibit

Points are awarded for posters or exhibits presented at

national, state, regional, or local laboratory professional

association meetings.

15. Serving on Committees/Boards

Points are awarded for serving on committees or Boards

related to the profession, including national, regional,

state, and local professional organizations or committee

appointments at your place of employment.

16. Serving on an active BOC Advisory Board

17. Lab inspector for CAP/The Joint Commission/

AABB/COLA/state agency, etc

10/11. Authoring a book/chapter or editing a book

related to the laboratory profession

14 ASCP Board of Certification

Below is a partial list of providers who offer continuing education

activities including workshops, teleconferences, subscription pro-

grams, online courses, etc.

This list is only a partial list to assist you in planning your activities.

State/regional/local professional societies and other organizations

recognized by state licensing boards may not be represented on

this list; however, courses provided by these groups are acceptable

for CMP points.

ASCP CMLE—American Society for Clinical Pathology

AABB - Association for the Advancement of Blood &

Biotherapies

AACC “ACCENT”—American Association

for Clinical Chemistry

AAPA — American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants

AGT—Association of Genetic Technologists

AMA—American Medical Association

ASCLS PACE—American Society

of Clinical Laboratory Science

ASC—American Society of Cytopathology

ASCT—American Society for Cytotechnology

ASFA—American Society for Apheresis

ASH—American Society of Hematology

ASM—American Society of Microbiology

CACMLE—Colorado Association for

Continuing Medical Laboratory Education

CAP—College of American Pathologists

CLMA—Clinical Laboratory Management Association

CMEA—Continuing Medical Education Association

CSMLS—Canadian Society for Medical

Laboratory Science

Florida Excell

The Joint Commission

ISBER - International Society for Biological and Environmental

Repositories

NSH—National Society for Histotechnology

The American Red Cross

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the large volume of continuing

education programs available, the Board of Certication will

not respond to requests for approval of individual programs or

courses. If the program/course meets the criteria described

under Guidelines for Earning CMP Points, it will be acceptable

for CMP Points. Program provider must assign points or

contact hours.

SUGGESTED LIST OF PROVIDERS

U.S. Credential Maintenance Program 15

The CMP points, required to complete the program, must be ob-

tained within the valid three-year period of certication. Copies of

certicates of participation, program syllabi, copies of publications,

or any other type of documentation of your continuing competence

activities, should be retained and only be submitted if requested

for audit.

ONLINE DECLARATION FORM PROCESS

Within your current three-year cycle you may enter your com-

pleted non-ASCP credits in your online ASCP transcript. Any

continuing education courses completed through the ASCP will

automatically be recorded in your online ASCP transcript. Non-

ASCP courses must be properly categorized (i.e., specialty area,

title, date, credits awarded).

All courses that have been previously added to your ASCP tran-

script (provided they are in your three-year cycle) will automatically

populate into your online CMP Declaration Form. You will then be

able to add more credits as necessary or re-categorize any credits

to meet your recertication requirements. All CEs must be translat-

ed and provided in the English language.

Only after your recertication requirements have been met will you

be able to submit your online CMP declaration form and application

fee. Refer to the website at www.ascp.org/cmp for current CMP

fee information. CMP fees are non-refundable.

DEADLINE DATES

Up to three (3) months prior to your certication expiration date,

complete the online CMP declaration process and submit with the

application fee payable by credit card. Please allow up to 30 busi-

ness days for the processing of your declaration form.

PLEASE NOTE: The earliest a current (not expired)

certication cycle will update, is the rst day of the month in

which it expires.

DECLARATION AND COMPLETION OF CMP

The Credential Maintenance Program is required for newly

certied individuals and active NCA certicants who are not

ASCP certied prior to January 1, 2004, in the same category.

(Note: If ASCP certied prior to 2004, CMP is voluntary)

CHANGE OF NAME/ADDRESS

The Board of Certication requires a copy of ofcial documentation

to make a name change (e.g., marriage license or court order.)

TO MAKE A NAME CHANGE

• Go to www.ascp.org/login

• Click on "Prole & Settings" link

• Click on "Request Name Change" button

• Complete the form, upload documentation and submit

TO UPDATE YOUR MAILING ADDRESS

OR DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

• Go to www.ascp.org/login

• Click on “Proles & Settings” Icon

• Update information and save

DEFICIENT CMP DECLARATIONS

If you receive notication that the status of your declaration submis-

sion has been marked decient (points are not properly assigned,

CE requirements have not been met, etc.) you will have 30 days

within to which to resolve the deciency. Instructions will be provid-

ed with the notication on how to submit the required information

by email.

AUDIT

If your declaration form is selected for audit, you will be notied by

email. See detailed information on the auditing procedures

on the next page.

SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF CMP

Upon successful completion of the Credential Maintenance Program

(CMP), you will receive access to an online renewal notication of

your new valid three-year certication cycle dates.

The designation “CM”, as a superscript, is required after your cer-

tication credential to indicate that you have successfully main-

tained your certication [e.g., MLS(ASCP)

16 ASCP Board of Certification

AUDIT PROCESS

SUBMISSION PROCEDURE

You will be notied if your declaration form is selected for audit.

You will be requested to submit copies of the documents listed

for all of the continuing competence activities you completed to

acquire the necessary CMP points. If your documentation is pro-

vided in a language other than English, translated English copies

will be required. DO NOT SUBMIT original documents. Copies of

documentation are accepted by email. Instructions will be provid-

ed in the audit notication.

AUDIT PROCEDURE

To ensure the integrity of the U.S. Credential Maintenance Program, the ASCP Board of Certication will review and

audit a percentage of declaration forms each year. If your declaration is selected for audit, you will be notied and

requested to submit supporting documentation of all activities submitted for the program.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

The following documents are required to verify your continuing competence activities. If your documentation is provided in a language

other than English, translated English copies will be required.

ACTIVITY DOCUMENTATION

Formal continuing education courses,

teleconferences, subscription or online

courses where formal continuing educa-

tion credits are awarded

Certicate of Participation including: Name of participant, title of program, name of

provider, date of program, number of contact hours/CMLE

Employer-offered courses, in-service

programs, sponsored courses

Letter on original letterhead signed and dated by employer/certicate/signed attendance

from vendor-employer containing above information

Formal college/university coursework University Transcript/Mark Sheet

Competence assessment by employer

Employer Assessment Form completed by the employer documenting competence in

particular laboratory specialty(ies) and date of assessment (form available at

www.ascp.org/cmp)

Documentation of Clinical Teaching

Completed Clinical Teaching Documentation Form documenting Academic Institution,

dates of instruction and instructional areas covered, signed and dated by employer.

(form available at www.ascp.org/cmp)

Research & preparation for presentation

or workshop

Copy of syllabus, program or letter from organization that indicates content, length of

teaching time and name of the organization

Authoring a book or book chapter,

doctoral dissertation

Title page of publication and table of contents containing author name

Editing a book Copy of cover or inside page containing editor names

Presenting posters/exhibits

Abstract identifying poster session, meeting program

or brochure identifying presentation

Journal articles, master thesis Copy of publication with authors name

Serving on committees or boards

related to the profession

Letter from organization verifying participation, in what capacity and dates of service

Role of on-site inspector/paper reviewer

for laboratory accreditation

Letter from organization (The Joint Commission, Cap, etc.) verifying your role as an

inspector and the dates of inspection

SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION

OF CMP AFTER AUDIT

Upon successful completion of the audit process, you will receive

access to an online renewal notication of your new valid three-year

certication cycle dates. The designation “CM”, in superscript, is

required after your certication credential to indicate that you have

successfully maintained your certication [e.g., MLS(ASCP)

U.S. Credential Maintenance Program 17

UNSUCCESSFUL AUDIT

If your declaration is under audit and you are unable to submit

documentation of completed CEs, you may complete new points

within the last month of certication to meet the CMP requirements.

If you were unable to complete the required CMP points due to

extenuating circumstances, you may submit a letter of appeal to the

ASCP Board of Certication.

AUDIT APPEALS PROCEDURE

To appeal an unsuccessful audit, you must submit a letter to the

Board of Certication. This letter must describe in detail the reasons

for your inability to complete the program and include documenta-

tion supporting your request.

Extenuating circumstances likely to be considered include: serious,

incapacitating illness over one year in duration; or military assign-

ment overseas over a one-year duration in a location with no access

to online workshops. Financial hardship and personal/family-related

responsibilities are not considered extenuating circumstances.

Your letter of appeal and all supporting documentation will be re-

viewed and you will be notied of the decision.

INACTIVE STATUS FOR REQUIRED CMP

PARTICIPATION

If you wish to request inactive status for a period of time, you must

submit a $40 fee,* a letter describing in detail the reasons for your

inactive status and documentation. Extenuating circumstances

likely to be considered include: serious, incapacitating illness over

one year in duration; or military assignment overseas over a one-

year duration in a location with no access to online workshops.

Financial hardship and personal/family-related responsibilities are

not considered extenuating circumstances.

* The inactive status fee will be waived for individuals residing in countries requiring

mandatory military service when that is the basis for inactive status. Documentation

is required.

To be reinstated after inactive status has expired, you must submit

a completed online declaration form documenting all points earned

within the extended period granted to you as required for your cer-

tication category. You will also be required to pay the current CMP

fee(s) (available at www.ascp.org/cmp).

At the end of the extended period, if you fail to participate and do

not submit compelling reasons for continuing inactive status as

described under the Appeals Procedure, your certication will no

longer be valid and you may no longer use the ASCP certication

credential after your name.

AUDIT APPEALS PROCESS

“Having the BOC

credentials after my

name makes me

feel proud. I worked

hard for that.”

-Tammy Butler, PBT(ASCP)

REINSTATEMENT FOR

EXPIRED CERTIFICATION

If you allow your certication to expire and then seek reinstatement,

you must submit a completed declaration form documenting all

points earned within the previous three years as required by your

certication category. You must also pay a $125 reinstatement fee

in addition to the application fee. CMP fees are non-refundable.

The BOC will not grant extensions or waive the reinstatement fee

due to the non-receipt of emailed CMP reminder notications. The

certicant is responsible for keeping their email address up to date

in their ASCP customer record.

If your certication has lapsed for ten (10) or more years, you will

be required to retake and pass the certication examination for

reinstatement of your certication. If this applies to you, contact

10yrexpir[email protected].

REINSTATEMENT FOR NCA CERTIFICANTS

Lapsed NCA Certicants at Time of Unication

Effective 1/1/2019, NCA certicants whose certication was

lapsed at the time of the unication and did not transfer to the

ASCP as an active certication, will be required to retake the ASCP

exam to reinstate their certication. If this applies to you, contact

10yrexpir[email protected].

18 ASCP Board of Certification

Q1: If I become certied but fail to complete or participate

in the required Credential Maintenance Program (CMP),

what happens? Will my ASCP certication be revoked?

A: Certications under required CMP are valid for three years.

If someone fails to participate in the required CMP, their

certication will no longer be valid after the three-year

certication expiration date. They are no longer permitted to

use the certication credential [e.g., MLS(ASCP)

] after their

name since their certication is no longer valid.

Q2: How do I reinstate an expired certication?

A: If you have a time-limited certication and you allow your

certication to expire and then seek reinstatement, you must

submit a completed online declaration form documenting all

continuing education earned within the previous three years

as required by your certication category. You must also pay a

$125 reinstatement fee in addition to the application fee.

PLEASE NOTE: Individuals who allow their ASCP credential

to expire for ten or more years will be required to retake and

pass the certication examination in order to reinstate their

credential. Effective 11/1/2019, lapsed NCA certicants will

be required to retake and pass the certication examination in

order to reinstate their certication.

Q3: Will individuals be allowed to start the program before

the initial certication or re-certication date?

A: Points accumulated toward meeting the CMP requirements

must be obtained within the three-year certication cycle. If the

three-year certication cycle is January 2023 through January

2026, all CE points must be completed within this three-year

period. Continuing education completed before your re-

certication validation period begins will not be accepted.

Q4: Cytologists in California must document 24 hours of

approved CE every two years in order to maintain their

California CT license. Will all California CTs also be

required to document and submit the same hours to

ASCP in order to maintain their ASCP CT certication?

A: Cytologists certied in January 2004 and beyond are required

to complete 36 points of continued competency activities every

three years. Activities accepted by the California State Licensure

Board will be considered acceptable activities for the CMP.

Q5: Can I use the 25 points I received for earning my

specialist SBB certication from the BOC towards my

SBB CMP requirements?

A: The BOC awards CMP points for the completion of an

advanced BOC certication or qualication. These points may

be used one-time towards recertication for any certication

other than the one for which the points were awarded.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For example, if an MLS certicant earns a specialty certication

such as an SBB certication, 25 points will be awarded and

can be used to meet the MLS recertication requirements.

Likewise, if an HT certicant earns a specialty certication such

as a PA, the 25 points earned cannot be used to meet the PA

recertication require .

Q6: I am interested in why the CMP was initiated when

every place I have been employed requires us to have

yearly continuing education and regulatory agencies

require continuing proof of our competency.

A: Many places do not require employees to participate

in completing continuing education courses and the

requirements are inconsistent among those that do.

Additionally, not all states require that medical laboratory

professionals obtain a state license to work in the laboratory.

We feel that this program will demonstrate on a national

level that everyone who is awarded the CMP designation is

assuring the public and their peers that they are maintaining

their competence throughout their career. Nearly all of the

continuing education courses required by employers and

regulatory agencies are accepted by the BOC for the CMP.

Q7: Please provide some clarication regarding BOC

certication, ASCP membership and the Credential

Maintenance Program (CMP). What is the difference

between certication and membership? There seems

to be some confusion and perhaps a misperception

that paying ASCP membership dues will go towards

renewing BOC certication.

A: Certication by the ASCP Board of Certication (BOC) requires

meeting specic eligibility requirements and successful

completion of the certication examination. Individuals who

became US certied beginning January 2004 and beyond

are required to maintain their certication through completion

of the Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) every three

years. ASCP Membership is voluntary, separate and apart

from certication. Certication and maintenance of certication

are not contingent upon membership in any professional

organization.

Q8: If I have further questions regarding the Credential

Maintenance Program (CMP), whom do I contact?

A: Contact ASCP Customer Relations

Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 PM CT

Phone: 800.267.2727

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.ascp.org/cmp

U.S. Credential Maintenance Program 19

COMPLETING U.S. CMP— STEP BY STEP

STEP 1

Review the U.S. CMP booklet and ASCP website for de-

tails and instructions for completing the program. Please visit

www.ascp.org/cmp.

STEP 2

Complete the continuing education activities required for your

certication category and save documentation of completion for

these activities during the three-year period following certication/

recertication.

STEP 3

Up to three (3) months prior to your certication expiration date,

complete the online CMP declaration process and pay the current

application fee by credit card. Please allow up to 30 business days

for processing your declaration form. CMP fees are non-refundable.

PLEASE NOTE: The earliest a current (not expired)

certication cycle will update is the rst day of the month in

which it expires.

Expired Certication: If your certication has expired, you will be

required to pay a $125 reinstatement fee in addition to the CMP

application fee.

DO NOT SUBMIT any documentation of your continuing compe-

tence activities when you submit your declaration form. This docu-

mentation will only be required if your declaration form is selected

for audit.

STEP 4

You will receive email notications regarding the status of the process-

ing of your declaration form. You may login to your account at any

time to follow and view the status of your recertication application.

STEP 5

If you receive notication that your declaration form is decient or

under audit, you will have 30 business days within which to resolve

your deciency/audit. Instructions will be provided in your notication.

STEP 6

Upon successful completion of the Credential Maintenance Program

(CMP), you will receive access to an online renewal notication of

your new, valid three-year certication cycle dates.

The designation “CM”, in superscript, is required after your certi-

cation credential to indicate that you have successfully maintained

your certication [e.g., MLS(ASCP)

ASCP Board of Certication | 33 W. Monroe St., Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60603 | 800.267.2727

www.ascp.org/CMP

Revised 4/2023

3-230291-JB

Our mission is to provide

excellence in certication

of laboratory professionals on

behalf of patients worldwide.

Our vision is to be

the gold standard in

global certication for all

laboratory professionals.