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.

Eligibility

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

Route 1:

• Have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in biological/life science, physics, engineering or an appropriately related field, or have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) in biology, chemistry and/or physics

• Have four years of full-time laboratory experience in cytometry (clinical, research, industry or veterinary) in the last 8 years

Route 2:

• Hold a valid ASCP certification as a technologist/scientist or specialist 

• Have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university

• Have three years of full-time laboratory experience in cytometry (clinical, research, industry or veterinary) in the last 6 years

Route 3:

• Have a master’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in biological/life science, physics, engineering or an appropriately related field

• Have three years of full-time laboratory experience in cytometry (clinical, research, industry or veterinary) in the last 6 years

Route 4: 

• Have a doctorate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in biological/life science, physics, engineering or an appropriately related field

• Have two years of full-time laboratory experience in cytometry (clinical, research, industry or veterinary) in the last 4 years

In addition, applicants must have experience in:

Flow Cytometry Applications in at least one of the following:

• Immunophenotyping (CD4, leukemia/lymphoma, transplant)

• Cell sorting

• Cell cycle analysis/DNA Ploidy

• Apoptosis

• Red blood cell analysis (PNH, fetal hemoglobin)

• Progenitor cells

• Therapeutic drug monitoring

• Microorganism and/or microparticle analysis

• Functional assays

• Multiplex bead assays

• Imaging cytometry

• Rare event analysis

Cytometric Analysis in at least 3 of the following:

• Specimen processing

• Instrument set-up

• Specimen analysis

• Data management

• Interpretation of results

Quality Assurance in at least 3 of the following:

• Specimen collection, processing, storage

• Reagent selection, preparation, storage, disposal

• Assay selection, validation, documentation

• Instrument operation and maintenance

• Quality control and proficiency testing

• Safety

Refer to the Eligibility Assistant to determine eligibility.

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.

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.

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)