DLM (ASCP) - Diplomate in Laboratory Management

The American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) offers the DLM(ASCP) credential.

The Diplomate in Laboratory Management (DLM) Specialists manage or supervise a laboratory with responsibility for financial, operational, personnel, and marketing in the clinical laboratory. They also have advanced knowledge, skills, and abilities; they serve as leaders, educators, and advisors within their specialty area.

Cost

• Exam Fee: $415

• Starting in January 2026, certification fees will increase by $10

To be eligible for the DLM, the applicant must meet at least one of the following pathways:

• Option 1: MBA, MHA, or other management-related master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, and two years of full-time experience in clinical laboratory supervision or management in a laboratory within the last five years.

• Option 2: Valid ASCP technologist/scientist or specialist certification, a master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, and two years of full-time acceptable experience in clinical laboratory supervision or management within the last five years.

• Option 3: Valid ASCP technologist/scientist or specialist certification, a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university, and four years of full-time experience in clinical laboratory supervision or management within the last eight years.

• Option 4: Doctorate from a regionally accredited college or university in medicine, chemistry, biology, immunology, microbiology, allied health, medical laboratory science, or an appropriately related field and four years of full-time acceptable experience in clinical laboratory supervision or management within the last eight years.

• Option 5: Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in a management or business-related field, and four years of full-time acceptable experience in clinical laboratory supervision or management within the last eight years.

• Option 6: Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university and five years of full-time acceptable experience in clinical laboratory supervision or management within the last ten years.

To apply, the applicant may submit the application via the ASCP website.

To maintain the DLM (ASCP) certification, you are required to complete the Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) every three years. The ASCP website provides a CMP portal for applicants to record CE progress and track required documents for DLM recertification.

Renewal Fee

• Renewal fee: $100

• Reinstatement fee: $135

• Fee is reduced by $20 if renewing multiple ASCP certifications that expire on the same day or will expire in three months of each other.

• Starting in January 2026, renewal fees will increase by $10.

Diplomates in Laboratory Management (DLM) must complete 36 CMP points during each three-year recertification cycle.

Effective 1/1/2023, all certification categories are required to complete one CMP point of continuing education in the area of medical ethics (e. g., HIPAA, compliance, confidentiality training.)

The ASCP offers resources for candidates, including:

• Content Guideline

• Reading List

• Accredited Colleges and Universities

• Exam and Certification Procedures

Acceptable Clinical Laboratory: CMS CLIA certificate of registration, compliance, accreditation; or JCI accreditation or Accreditation under ISO 15189.

The ASCP also offers the following certifications:

• Donor Phlebotomy Technician (DPT)

• Technologist in Hematology (H)

• Histotechnician (HT)

• Histotechnologist (HTL)

• Technologist in Microbiology (M)

• Technologist in Molecular Biology (MB)

• Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA)

• Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS)

• Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)

• Pathology Assistant (PA)

• Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB)

• Specialist in Chemistry (SC)

• Specialist in Cytotechnology (SCT)

• Specialist in Cytometry (SCYM)

• Specialist in Hematology (SH)

• Specialist in Microbiology (SM)

• Specialist in Molecular Biology (SMB)