If you're an international medical technologist who wants to build a future in the U.S., this guide will help you understand the steps to attain ASCPi certification. The ASCPi credential certifies professional competency among new and practicing international Medical Technologists to contribute globally to the highest standards of patient safety.
International medical technologists looking for career advancement in the U.S. who are not yet working with Conexus should take the next step in career growth and apply to Conexus MedStaff today.
ASCPi Requirement
A professional certification is required for Medical Technologists to be employed in the U.S. ASCPi is sufficient to work in most states, however a minority of states require a specific state license to work as a Medical Technologist in addition to ASCPi.
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires the ASCPi certification at the time of filing the PERM Application as part of the EB-3 process and/or the H-1B petition.
Which ASCPi should I apply for?
As a Medical Technologist, if you are working as a Generalist you should apply for the Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS ASCPi.
As a Histotechnologist you should apply for the Histotechnologist, HTL ASCPi.
Does Conexus offer ASCPi Sponsorship?
Conexus does not currently offer sponsorship for the ASCPi, however we do offer a $1000 ASCPi bonus for all Medical Technologists that pass their ASCPi on their own.
8 Steps to Successfully Attain Your ASCPi Certification
1. Meet the eligibility requirements for ASCPi, MLS.
Below are the three most common routes for Foreign Trained Medical Technologists to be eligible to take the exam:
Baccalaureate degree from an accredited/approved educational institution in Medical Laboratory Science, biological science, or chemistry, AND successful completion of a Medical Laboratory Science training program. The training program must include blood banking (immunohematology), chemistry, hematology, and microbiology.
Baccalaureate degree from an accredited/approved educational institution in Medical Laboratory Science, AND three years of acceptable clinical experience in an accredited/approved laboratory. Experience must include blood banking (immunohematology), chemistry, hematology, and microbiology.
Baccalaureate degree from an accredited/approved educational institution in biological science or chemistry, AND five years of acceptable clinical experience in an accredited/approved laboratory. Experience must include blood banking (immunohematology), chemistry, hematology, and microbiology
2. Comply with the required documentation.
Click here to create an ASCPi account and complete the online application. Once you’ve created your account, please share your login and password with your Pipeline Manager so we can help you track your progress.
Payment of the application fee within 30 days from start of application ($95-$200 depending on country of residence).
Submission of all required documentation (must be uploaded in a PDF format)
Verification of Academic Education - Foreign degrees must be equivalent to a U.S. BS in Medical Technology, Laboratory Sciences, Biology or Chemistry. Please click here for country specific information of academic record. Programs from certain countries don’t require transcript evaluation.
Click here to access the acceptable evaluation agencies for foreign transcript review.
3. Monitor application status.
Login and check for notifications, if there is anything incorrect or missing on the application, update the application as soon as possible to avoid delays.
Submit all documentation required for eligibility to ascpinternational@ascp.org within 60 business days of submission of your application.
4. Once the status of your application is complete, you will receive an email with instructions on how to take the computer-based exam at a Pearson Vue Professional Center. Applicants must take the exam within the eligibility period, which is within 3 months from your completed application status.
5. Prepare and review the study material before scheduling your exam.
6. Log in to your Pearson Vue account and find your nearest Pearson Vue Testing center to schedule your exam.
Duration of exam is 2 hours and 30 mins
The exam consists of 100 multiple questions
7. Pass the exam. You will receive an email notification with login credentials to view your score report.
8. You will receive a paper certificate within 6-8 weeks. The ASCPi certificate is valid for three years, and to maintain certification you will need to complete the Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) every three years.
Ready to start your career as a Medical Laboratory Technologist in the United States? Apply today to being your journey.