HTL (ASCP) - Histotechnologist

The Histotechnologist (HTL) certification is offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).

Histology technicians (HTs), also known as histologic technicians, are specialized medical lab workers.

They play a crucial role in diagnosing and treating diseases by turning tissue samples into microscope slides. Histology is the study of the microscopic structures of tissues. Once a tissue sample is taken from a patient, histology technicians are responsible for taking the sample and creating slides. After the samples are prepared, a pathologist will examine the slides for diagnostic or research purposes. The identification and understanding of disease processes, including cancer, would not be possible without the skills and contributions of these highly trained allied health professionals.

Common roles and responsibilities of a histology technician include:

• Preparing thin slices of human, animal, or plant tissue on slides for analysis by:

• Examining, fixing, and processing the tissue for proper sample preservation

• Surrounding the tissue with paraffin wax in a process called embedding

• Cutting a tissue sample with a microtome or cryostat

• Mounting the tissue sample on a slide

• Staining or dying the sample to emphasize abnormalities

• Testing tissue according to what the pathologist needs

• As needed, management of supplies and laboratory quality-control procedures

National certification is administered through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). The ASCP offers two certifications for histology, the HT (Histotechnician) Certification, and the HTL (Histotechnologist) Certification. Both require prior education in the histology field, either through attending a histology program or acquiring laboratory experience in the field. 

Histology technicians need to have strong fine motor skills and be incredibly detail-oriented. Knowledge of biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology is essential for success in this role.

Specializations

Histology technicians may specialize in areas such as muscle or kidney biopsies, immunohistochemistry staining, dermatology specimens, and frozen sectioning.

Some technicians may work in research, veterinary, pharmaceutical, and forensic laboratories. Advancement is also possible into areas such as education, test development, quality assurance, and management.

Eligibility requirements

After completing high school (or the equivalent), most future technicians go on to complete additional education and training. The typical pathway to becoming a histology technician includes:

• Obtaining an associate degree

• Completing an accredited histology technician certificate program

Some associate degree programs include a histology clinical rotation in a medical facility that allows you to complete your education and certificate program as one program.

While the National Society for Histotechnology (HST), a participating society with ASCP, strongly recommends certification, it’s worth noting that not all medical laboratory positions require histology certification. A study released by the ASCP in 2017 shows that laboratory positions in specimen processing and phlebotomy are less likely to require histology certification, while positions with blood banks and hematology/coagulation are more likely to require certification.

To be eligible to sit for the histotechnician (HT) exam, applicants must have:

• A two-year associate of science degree in a NAACLS-accredited histotechnician program or a two-year associate of science degree from a regionally accredited college or university, including 12 semester hours (or 18 quarter hours) of chemistry and biology, plus a year of clinical experience in a hospital or healthcare clinic

• A year of full-time work experience in a histopathology laboratory

Costs to certify

• Exam Fee: $240

• International Candidate Fee: $200. There is a discount of $95 for applicants that have a medical laboratory education and reside in specific countries listed in the International Pricing Policy.

• Fees will increase by $10 beginning July 1, 2023.

To become certified, an individual must fulfill the academic and experience components specified in the Procedures for Examination and Certification, as well as successfully complete the appropriate examination.

Most histology technicians become certified through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and practice under the credentials of HT(ASCP). Licensure is also required in some states. Applicants are strongly recommended to research the licensing requirements unique to the states in which they will work.

A list of schools with national and regional accreditation can be found at the U.S. Department of Education, and a list of histology programs with programmatic accreditation can be found at the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

HT certificate holders will receive three-year renewal notification from ASCP Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) of the renewal date and must earn 36 hours of credential maintenance program credits to be eligible for recertification.

Renewal Fee

• Renewal fee: $95

• Reinstatement fee: $125

• Fee is reduced by $15 if renewing multiple ASCP certifications that expire on the same day or will expire in three months of each other.

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 exam candidates, including:

• Content Guideline

• Exam and Certification Procedures

• Reading List

• Practice Exam (Cost: $79 for non-members and $59 for members)

• Study Guide (Cost: $99 for non-members and $89 for members)

• Self-Instructional Text and Practice Exam (Cost: $259 for non-members and $209 for members)

• Self-Instructional Text, Practice Exam and Workbook ($339 for non-members and $269 for members)

The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) also offers the following:

• Technologist in Blood Banking (BB)

• Technologist in Chemistry (C)

• Technologist in Cytogenetics (CG)

• Cytotechnologist (CT)

• Technologist in Hematology (H)

• Technologist in Microbiology (M)

• Technologist in Molecular Biology (MB)

• Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS)