Top 10 Histotechnician Certifications

Certifications are important for histotechnicians in the job market because they demonstrate that the individual has a mastery of the skills and knowledge needed to perform their job successfully. Certifications provide employers with assurance that the histotechnician is qualified to do their job, as well as demonstrate their commitment to professional development. Additionally, certifications may also be required for certain positions or roles within a healthcare organization, making them an essential part of any histotechnician’s job search.

This article reviews the top certifications available to histotechnicians and discusses how they can help advance their career.

What are Histotechnician Certifications?

Histotechnician certification is a credential that recognizes the expertise of individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in the field of histotechnology. Histotechnicians are responsible for preparing and processing specimens for microscopic examination, including tissue samples obtained from biopsies or surgeries. Histotechnicians also perform immunohistochemistry tests, which are used to identify the presence of specific proteins or markers on tissue samples.

Histotechnician certification demonstrates that an individual has achieved a certain level of knowledge and proficiency in histotechnology. This certification can help those individuals seeking employment in the field of histotechnology by demonstrating their experience and ability to employers. It also provides recognition for those who have invested time and effort into furthering their education in this field. Additionally, it can provide assurance to patients seeking medical care that their specimen is being handled competently by someone with the necessary qualifications and experience.

Pro Tip: Always keep your histotechnician certification up-to-date by taking continuing education classes and staying on top of the latest developments in the field. This will ensure that you are current with the most recent technologies, techniques, and procedures related to histology.

Related: What does a Histotechnician do?

Top 10 Histotechnician Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Histotechnicians today.

1. ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) Histotechnician Certification

The ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) Histotechnician Certification is a professional certification program for histotechnicians. The BOC Histotechnician Certification is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of those who work in the field of histology. It is a voluntary certification that demonstrates an individual's commitment to their profession and provides employers with assurance that they are hiring qualified personnel.

To become certified as a Histotechnician, individuals must pass the BOC exam. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as tissue processing, embedding, microtomy, staining techniques, safety procedures, quality control/assurance, and general laboratory practices. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete and must be taken at an approved testing center.

The cost of the BOC Histotechnician Certification exam is $250 USD. After passing the exam, individuals will receive their certification within 4-6 weeks from their test date. To maintain certification status, individuals must complete continuing education credits every three years or retake the exam every five years.

2. National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA) Histotechnician Certification

The National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA) Histotechnician Certification is a voluntary certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of histotechnicians. The NCA Histotechnician Certification is a nationally recognized credential that demonstrates the competency of laboratory personnel in histology, which includes tissue preparation and staining techniques. The NCA Histotechnician Certification is valid for five years and can be renewed by completing continuing education requirements.

To become certified as an NCA Histotechnician, applicants must meet certain educational and experience requirements. Applicants must have either a two-year degree in histotechnology or completion of an accredited histology program, plus one year of full-time work experience in the field. In addition, applicants must pass a written exam administered by the NCA.

The cost of taking the exam varies depending on whether or not you are already a member of the NCA. For non-members, the cost is $400; for members, it is $200. The cost also includes study materials such as practice tests and tutorials. It typically takes about four weeks to receive your results after taking the exam.

Once you have passed the exam and met all other requirements, you will receive your NCA Histotechnician Certification certificate from the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA). This certification demonstrates that you have achieved a high level of competency in histology and tissue preparation techniques.

3. American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Histotechnologist Certification

The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Histotechnologist Certification is a professional certification program that recognizes the knowledge and skills of histotechnologists. Histotechnologists are laboratory professionals who specialize in the preparation and analysis of tissue samples for medical diagnosis. The ASCP Histotechnologist Certification is a voluntary credential that demonstrates an individual’s commitment to their profession and mastery of the core competencies required to perform histological techniques.

To become certified, individuals must pass both the written and practical examinations administered by the ASCP Board of Certification (BOC). The written examination consists of 100 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, laboratory safety, laboratory procedures, quality assurance/control, and other related topics. The practical examination consists of a series of hands-on tasks that test an individual’s ability to prepare tissue sections for microscopic evaluation.

The process to obtain certification typically takes 6-12 months depending on how quickly you can complete all requirements. To begin the process you must first register with the BOC and submit an application along with all required documentation (e.g., transcripts, letters of recommendation). Once your application is approved you will be eligible to take the written and practical examinations. Upon successful completion of both exams you will receive your certification from the BOC.

The cost to apply for certification varies depending on whether or not you are already a member of ASCP. For non-members it typically costs $220-$270 USD while members pay $190-$240 USD.

4. American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB) Histotechnician Certification

The American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB) Histotechnician Certification is a voluntary certification program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in the field of histology. Histology is the study of tissues and cells, and histotechnicians are responsible for preparing tissue samples for examination under a microscope.

To become certified, applicants must have either completed an accredited histology program or have at least two years of full-time experience as a histotechnician. Additionally, applicants must pass an AAB certification exam with a score of 75% or higher. The exam consists of 100 questions covering topics such as anatomy and physiology, laboratory safety, specimen collection and processing, immunohistochemistry, and other related topics.

The process to get certified typically takes about three months from start to finish. Applicants must first register online with the AAB website and pay the applicable fees which range from $150-$200 depending on the type of certification sought. After registering, applicants will receive instructions on how to schedule their exam at one of the many testing centers around the country. Once they pass their exam, they will receive their official AAB Histotechnician Certification within 4-6 weeks.

In addition to passing the certification exam, applicants must also maintain their certification by completing continuing education credits every two years in order to remain certified. The cost for maintaining certification varies depending on the number of credits required but generally ranges from $50-$100 per year.

5. National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) Histotechnician Certification

The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) Histotechnician Certification is a voluntary certification program that recognizes individuals who have met the educational and professional requirements to practice histotechnology. This certification is designed to ensure that individuals working in the field of histotechnology have the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their job duties in a safe, competent, and ethical manner.

To become certified as a Histotechnician, applicants must meet specific educational requirements, including completing an accredited histotechnology program or equivalent coursework. In addition, applicants must pass an exam administered by NAACLS. The exam consists of both written and practical components.

The process of becoming certified as a Histotechnician typically takes several months to complete. Applicants must first submit all required documents, such as transcripts and letters of recommendation, to NAACLS for review. Once these documents are approved, applicants may register for the examination and pay the associated fees. After successfully passing the exam, applicants will receive their official certification from NAACLS.

The cost of obtaining a Histotechnician certification varies depending on the applicant’s individual circumstances. Generally speaking, applicants should expect to pay between $200-$400 for application fees and examination fees combined. Additionally, some programs may require additional costs associated with textbooks or other materials needed for coursework completion.

6. International Society for Clinical Laboratory Technology (ISCLT) Histotechnician Certification

The International Society for Clinical Laboratory Technology (ISCLT) Histotechnician Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of histotechnicians in the field of clinical laboratory technology. The certification is awarded to individuals who demonstrate mastery of the technical, scientific, and regulatory aspects of histology.

To be eligible for the ISCLT Histotechnician Certification, applicants must meet certain educational and experience requirements. Applicants must have either an associate or bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in histotechnology or a related field, or at least two years of full-time experience as a histotechnician in a clinical laboratory setting. In addition, applicants must pass an examination administered by ISCLT that covers topics such as tissue processing, staining techniques, immunohistochemistry, cytology, and safety protocols.

The process of obtaining the ISCLT Histotechnician Certification typically takes several months to complete. After meeting the eligibility requirements and submitting all necessary documentation to ISCLT, applicants will receive an application packet with instructions on how to register for the exam. Once registered for the exam, applicants can begin studying for it using study materials provided by ISCLT. Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will be awarded their certification and can use it to demonstrate their expertise in histology.

The cost of obtaining the ISCLT Histotechnician Certification varies depending on individual circumstances but generally ranges from $200-$500 USD. This includes fees associated with registration for the exam as well as any study materials required for preparation.

7. National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Phlebotomy Technician/Histotechnician

The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Phlebotomy Technician/Histotechnician is a certification that demonstrates a person’s competency in the field of phlebotomy and histology. This certification is designed for individuals who are interested in working as a phlebotomist and/or histotechnician in a healthcare setting.

To become certified, applicants must pass an exam administered by the NHA. The exam consists of 140 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as anatomy and physiology, specimen collection and processing, laboratory safety, infection control, and quality assurance. Applicants must also have completed an approved training program or have at least one year of experience in the field to be eligible to take the exam.

The cost of the exam varies by state but typically ranges from $100-$200 USD. The exam can be taken at any Pearson VUE testing center or online through their website. It typically takes between two to three hours to complete the exam.

Once an applicant has passed the exam they will receive their certification card within 4-6 weeks after passing. The certification is valid for two years and must be renewed every two years by taking continuing education courses or re-taking the exam.

8. American Medical Technologists (AMT) Medical Laboratory Technician/Histotechnician

American Medical Technologists (AMT) is a professional organization that provides certification to medical laboratory technicians and histotechnicians. Medical laboratory technicians are responsible for performing tests on patient specimens, such as blood, urine, and tissue samples. Histotechnicians prepare tissue samples for microscopic examination by pathologists.

It typically takes two years of formal education and training in order to become certified as an AMT Medical Laboratory Technician/Histotechnician. This includes completing an accredited program in medical laboratory technology or histology. After completing the program, students must pass the AMT certification exam in order to receive their certification.

In order to get certified as an AMT Medical Laboratory Technician/Histotechnician, applicants must first complete an accredited program in medical laboratory technology or histology. After completing the program, applicants must submit a completed application form along with the appropriate fees and documentation of their educational credentials to AMT for review. Once accepted, applicants can then take the certification exam which consists of both written and practical components.

The cost to become certified as an AMT Medical Laboratory Technician/Histotechnician varies depending on the type of program chosen and its associated costs (e.g., tuition, books). Additionally, there is a fee for taking the certification exam which is currently $150 USD for members and $200 USD for non-members.

9. The Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) Certified Ophthalmic Assistant/Histotechnologist

The Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) Certified Ophthalmic Assistant/Histotechnologist is a certification program for individuals who are interested in working in the field of ophthalmology. This certification is designed to demonstrate an individual’s knowledge and skills related to ophthalmic care, including patient care, eye anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, diagnostic testing and instrumentation.

To obtain this certification, individuals must complete an approved training program and pass the JCAHPO Certification Examination. The training program can be completed through a variety of educational institutions or through self-study. Once the training has been completed, applicants must submit an application form with all required documents and fees to JCAHPO. Upon approval of the application, applicants will receive information regarding the examination process and scheduling.

The cost for obtaining the JCAHPO Certified Ophthalmic Assistant/Histotechnologist certification varies depending on whether you are taking the exam for the first time or retaking it. For first-time applicants, it costs $200 plus a $25 nonrefundable application fee; for those retaking it, it costs $100 plus a $25 nonrefundable application fee. It typically takes around two weeks to receive your results after taking the exam.

10. American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Registered Radiologic Technologist/Histotechnologist

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) is a professional organization that certifies and registers individuals who practice medical imaging and radiation therapy. ARRT Registered Radiologic Technologists/Histotechnologists are healthcare professionals who specialize in the use of x-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), mammography, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography (PET), interventional radiology and radiation therapy.

It typically takes about two to three years to become an ARRT Registered Radiologic Technologist/Histotechnologist. This includes completing an accredited radiologic technology program, passing the ARRT examination, meeting any state licensing requirements and completing continuing education credits every two years.

To become an ARRT Registered Radiologic Technologist/Histotechnologist, you must first complete an accredited radiologic technology program at a college or university. After completing the program, you must then pass the ARRT certification exam which covers topics such as patient care techniques, radiation safety principles and procedures for producing diagnostic images. Once you have passed the exam and met any state licensing requirements, you can apply for registration with the ARRT.

The cost of becoming an ARRT Registered Radiologic Technologist/Histotechnologist varies depending on your educational institution and other factors such as fees associated with taking the certification exam and any applicable state licensing fees.

Do You Really Need a Histotechnician Certificate?

Yes, if you want to pursue a career as a histotechnician, then you will need to obtain a certificate. A histotechnician is an important member of the healthcare team who specializes in preparing tissue samples for microscopic examination by pathologists. This requires specialized knowledge and skill that can only be obtained through formal training and certification.

Obtaining a histotechnician certificate involves completing a two-year associate’s degree program in histology or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution. The curriculum includes courses in anatomy, physiology, pathology, laboratory techniques, and other related topics. Upon successful completion of the program, students must pass a national certification exam administered by either the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or the National Credentialing Agency (NCA).

The role of histotechnicians is becoming increasingly important as advances in medical technology continue to improve our understanding of diseases and their treatments. As such, having a histotechnician certificate is essential for those wishing to pursue this field. It demonstrates mastery of the skills necessary to perform histological procedures safely and effectively while providing valuable assurance to employers and patients alike that they are receiving only the highest quality care.

Related: Histotechnician Resume Examples

FAQs About Histotechnician Certifications

1. What is a Histotechnician Certification?

Answer: A Histotechnician Certification is a professional credential that verifies a technician’s knowledge and experience in histology, the science of tissue processing and preparation for microscopic examination.

2. How do I become certified as a Histotechnician?

Answer: To become certified as a Histotechnician, you must complete an accredited program in histotechnology, pass the national certifying exam administered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), and meet any additional requirements that may vary by state or region.

3. Are there continuing education requirements for Histotechnicians?

Answer: Yes, most states require Histotechnicians to maintain their certification by completing continuing education credits every two years.

4. Is it possible to become a certified histology laboratory supervisor?

Answer: Yes, you can become certified as a histology laboratory supervisor through the ASCP Board of Certification by completing an approved program in histotechnology and passing the Supervisor of Histologic Laboratories exam.

5. What types of jobs are available with a Histotechnician Certification?

Answer: With a Histotechnician Certification, you can work in medical laboratories performing clinical research and assisting pathologists with diagnosis and treatment plans. You may also work in research labs analyzing data from tissue samples or in quality assurance departments conducting tests on specimens to ensure accuracy and reliability of results.