Certification

Qualification in Immunohistochemistry, QIHC

How Do I Get Qualified?

The ASCP Board of Certification is responsible for the Qualification process. For complete qualification information, paperwork requirements, and information on the specific exam you are interested in please visit the ASCP website for a step-by-step guide to the process.

Eligibility

  • Eligibility Requirements Effective January 2020
  • Application Fee: $240.00

Routes

To be eligible for this ASCP administered "Qualification", an applicant must satisfy the requirements of at least one of the following routes:

  • Route 1
    ASCP or ASCPi certified as an HT or HTL AND six (6) months of full time acceptable experience in immunohistochemistry (clinical, veterinary, industry, or research) in the U.S, Canada or an accredited laboratory* within the last five years.
  • Route 2
    ASCP or ASCPi certified as a technologist/scientist or specialist AND twelve (12) months of full time acceptable experience in a combination of routine histology and immunohistochemistry, with a minimum of six (6) months in histology (clinical, vertinary, industry or research) and a minimum of six (6) months in immunohistochemistry in the U.S., Canada or an accredited laboratory* within the last five years.
  • Route 3
    MLT (ASCP) or MLT (ASCPi) certification AND eighteen (18) months full time acceptable experience in a combination of routine histology and immunohistochemistry, with a minimum of six (6) months in histology (clinical, veterinary, industry, or research) and a minimum of twelve (12) months in immunohistochemistry, in the U.S., Canada or an accredited laboratory* within the last five years.
  • Route 4
    Baccalaureate degree or higher from a regionally accredited college/university, AND twenty-four (24) months of full time acceptable experience in a combination of routine histology and immunohistochemistry, with a minimum of nine (9) months in histology (clinical, veterinary, industry or research) and a minimum of fifteen (15) months in immunohistochemistry, in the U.S., Canada, or an accredited laboratory* within the last five years.

*CMS CLIA certificate of registration, compliance, accreditation; AND/OR JCI accreditation, OR accreditation under ISO 15189

Experience Requirements

To fulfill the experience requirements for the Qualification in Immunohistochemistry, the applicant must have experience in the following areas:

  • Routine Histology
    The applicant should have experience in ALL of the following: Fixation, Embedding/Microtomy, Processing, Staining
  • Immunohistochemical and/or Immunofluorescence Preparations
    All of the following should have been performed by the applicant: Staining technique; Selection of proper control material; Titration of immunologic reagents
  • Quality Assurance
    The applicant should have participated in Quality Assurance related to all of the following: Specimen fixation, processing, microtomy; Reagent selection, preparation, storage, disposal; Method selection, validation, documentation; Quality control; Safety

Direct performance, training and/or management/supervision of IHC procedures are acceptable in meeting the experience requirement.

Use of Qualification

This Qualification will not, in itself, entitle the individual to membership in ASCP. Individuals must be ASCP certified as a technician, technologist or specialist to be eligible for ASCP membership. Individuals who have been qualified may indicate this qualification through the use of initials in the following manner:

  • Mary Smith, QIHC (for individual qualified in immunohistochemistry)
  • Mary Smith, HT (ASCP) QIHC (for individuals who are qualified and who are also ASCP)

Time Limits and Revalidation

Candidates who complete the qualification process, including completion of the eligibility requirements and successful completion of the 50 item online examination will receive documentation of their qualification which is valid for three years. This Qualification may be revalidated every three years upon payment of a $50 application fee and completion of 6 contact hours of acceptable continuing education / other activities in the area of the Qualification.