SCYM (ASCP) - Specialist in Cytometry

The Specialist in Cytometry (SCYM) certification validates the clinical and research knowledge of individuals in the field of flow cytometry. The American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) offers the SCYM exam.

Completion Time: Candidates have 2.5 hours to complete the SCYM exam

Cost

• Exam Fee: $300

• International Candidate Fee: $260. Applicants must have both a medical laboratory education and reside in specific countries listed in the International Pricing Policy will receive a $95 discount.

Exam Format

The SCYM exam includes 100 questions. SCYM exam topics include:

• Instrumentation (15-20%)

  • Principles of fluidic, optical and electronic instrumentation, including troubleshooting 

• Panel/Experiment Design (25-30%)

  • Sample source, sample integrity, sample preparation and staining, cell enrichment and assay development (including target, sample state for functional studies, probe types, fluorochrome selection, spectral overlap and compensation, assay controls and assay optimization)

• Applications (25-30%)

  • Immunophenotyping, functional assays, multiplex bead assays, solid organ transplant, stem cell analysis, cell cycle / DNA ploidy, rare event analysis, small particle analysis, fetal hemoglobin assay, cell sorting, imaging cytometry and mass cytometry

• Data (15-20%)

  • Data standards, signal processing, data display, gating, statistical methods, common data modeling techniques, quantitative cytometry and troubleshooting

• Laboratory Operations (10-15%)

  • Quality control, assay validation, safety and laboratory administration

Test Dates

Applicants can register to take the in-person exam anytime based on availability at their selected Pearson VUE Testing Center.

Test Results

ASCP provides preliminary exam results immediately after exam completion. It also emails official test results within 4 business days of exam completion.

Eligibility

To be eligible to take the SCYM exam, applicants must meet all the requirements within one of these four routes:

Route 1

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, life sciences, physics, engineering, or a related field, or a bachelor’s with at least 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) in biology, chemistry, or physics.

• Four years of full-time cytometry lab experience (clinical, research, industry, or veterinary) completed in the past eight years.

Route 2

• Current ASCP certification as a technologist, scientist, or specialist.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

• Three years of full-time cytometry lab experience in the past six years.

Route 3

• Master’s degree in biology, life sciences, physics, engineering, or a related field.

• Three years of cytometry lab experience completed in the past six years.

Route 4

• Doctoral degree in biology, life sciences, physics, engineering, or a related field.

• Two years of cytometry lab experience completed in the past four years.

In addition, applicants must have experience in:

Flow Cytometry Applications

You need hands-on experience in at least one major application, such as immunophenotyping, cell sorting, DNA or cell cycle analysis, red blood cell testing, progenitor cells, drug monitoring, or other advanced flow techniques.

Cytometric Analysis

You must be able to carry out at least three core tasks, like preparing samples, setting up instruments, analyzing data, and interpreting results.

Quality Assurance

You must also have experience in at least three quality areas, such as specimen handling, reagent management, instrument maintenance, quality control testing, or safety practices.

Refer to the Eligibility Assistant to determine eligibility.

Online Application

• Create an account or log in to the ASCP website

• Confirm contact information

• Select “Specialist in Cytometry” and confirm the eligibility route

• Enter education history

• Enter experience history

• Review application information

• Enter payment information

• Send official transcripts

Applicants can monitor their application in their ASCP account. When approved, applications receive an admission notification from Pearson VUE with instructions for scheduling their exam. 

SCYM is valid for 3 years. Renewal applicants can renew by completing 36 Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) points, completing the online declaration process and paying the renewal fee three months before expiration of their current certification. Refer to the CMP Booklet for more information.

Renewal Fees

• Recertification 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.

ASCP requires 36 CEUs to renew the SCYM. CEU requirements include:

• 1 point in laboratory or patient safety (quality control, quality assurance)

• 10 points in cytometry

• 1 point in medical ethics (HIPAA, DEI, sexual harassment/microaggressions, compliance, confidentiality, IRB, etc.)

• Remaining points in area(s) of lab specialty, management, education or other related laboratory areas of interest

For a full list of accepted CEUs, refer to the CMP page.

Renewal applicants can track progress by logging into their ASCP account and clicking “Check Progress” under “My Education.”

The ASCP provides several resources to help prepare for the SCYM exam, including:

• SCYM Content Outline

• Suggested Reading List

• Flow Cytometry in Clinical Diagnosis eBook (Cost varies)

Other related certifications include:

• Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB)

• Specialist in Chemistry (SC)

• Specialist in Cytology (SCT)

• Specialist in Hematology (SH)

• Histotechnician (HT)

• Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS)

• Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)