In order to balance the requirements for the Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) across all technologist level certification categories, the ASCP BOC Board of Governors approved the following changes at the April 2020 meeting.
The dedicated number of CMP points required in the area in which an individual is certified will increase from two to eight points for all technologist level certifications to be equal to the current CMP requirements for MT/MLS.
This will not increase the overall total number of CMP points required.
Changes to the CMP requirements for qualification categories were also approved. Because one point in laboratory safety and one point in medical ethics (effective 1/1/23) is or will be a requirement for all certification categories. This will increase the overall total number of required CMP points from six to eight.
The new CMP point requirements will go into effect for those individuals renewing their certification and/or qualification credential on or after January 1, 2024.
HISTOTECHNOLOGIST, HTL
Total Number of Points Required: 36
Point Distribution:
· 1 point in laboratory or patient safety (ie. Quality control, quality assurance)
· 1 point medical ethics
· 8 points in area in which an individual is certificated
· 26 points in area(s) of lab specialty, management, education or related laboratory areas of interest
HISTOTECHNICIAN, HT
The number of dedicated points will increase from two to eight points. This will not increase the overall total number of CMP points required which will remain 36.
NEW HT CMP Requirements
- 6 additional CMP points in Histology
The new CMP point distribution will be as follows:
-
1 point in laboratory or patient safety (i.e. quality control, quality assurance)
-
1 point in medical ethics NEW effective 1/1/2023 (previously BOG approved)
-
8 points in histology NEW effective 1/1/2024
-
26 remaining points in area(s) of lab specialty, management, education or related laboratory areas of interest
QIHC Qualification
Because one point in laboratory safety and one point in medical ethics will be a requirement for all certification categories, this requirement will also apply to all qualification categories.
Total Number of Points Required: 8
Point Distribution:
-
1 point in laboratory or patient safety (i.e. quality control, quality assurance)
-
1 point in medical ethics NEW effective 1/1/2023 (previously BOG approved)
-
6 points in laboratory related area(s) of lab specialty
This will increase the overall total number of required CMP points for QIHC from six to eight
The purpose of the Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) is to ensure that practitioners complete continuing education activities in order to remain current in the science and technology of the laboratory profession, encourage professional growth, and follow ethical and safety principles to protect the patient.
All credentials issued by the BOC require the certified individual to submit documentation of continuing education hours every three years in order to retain their credential (mandatory-individuals newly certified on or after January 2004). Other laboratory professionals may voluntarily participate in CMP.
The benefits of CMP may vary based on an individuals work environment and experiences. It shows that the individual has demonstrated their commitment to excellence in patient care by pursuing continued competence in their area of practice. To the employer it demonstrates that the employees are up-to-date in their field of clinical practice. It provides additional criteria to use for the employee’s professional develop and job performance evaluations. For accreditation agencies (Joint Commission, CAP, CLIA), it documents that employees are engaged in continuing education on a regular basis throughout their careers. For many individuals there is recognition of their skills through promotions, raises and new job opportunities.
The CMP provides an opportunity to obtain a wide variety of learning experiences including: employer offered programs (in-service, instrument training, vendor sponsored events etc), writing journal articles or editing a book, serving on committees or boards (national, state, regional, local), competence assessment by your employer, participation in formal continuing.education courses, presenting workshops and posters, the possibilities are endless.
The NSH provides many opportunities for you to stay current with your CMP. On the NSH website you will find many learning and educational resources that you many participate in to earn the points needed (webinars, teleconference, self instructional and on-line courses, etc.). Do you want to volunteer on committees, present a workshop or make a poster presentation? You may be continuing your formal education or studying to complete an advanced BOC certification or qualification or you may be an on-site inspector/paper reviewer for laboratory accreditation or training program all of these can provide the necessary points to stay current with your CMP.
Please go to www.nsh.org for more information about programs and educational offers.
Visit the www.ascp.org/BOC to find CMP application and to learn more about CMP program. On this site is an area where you can document your participation in CMP programs, making it easy to keep track of your progress.