American Board Certification for Scientists
The American Board Certification for Scientists is a gold-standard destination.
The board mentioned some certification standards in all areas of specialty for scientists.
The American Board not only figures out the well-experienced and highly qualified candidates but also suggests suitable scientists in particular areas of specialty.
In this article, we will describe detailed information about the American Board Certification for Scientists.
You will know about the area of specialty that America Board offers.
Besides this, you will also know the benefits of getting these certifications and tips to become board-certified.
American Board of Science Specialty
Getting the American Board is a great honor for scientists. After getting the certificates from the Certification Authority, you will get a top position among your colleagues.
The American Board passes the candidate knowledge from various steps to make him an expert in their area of specialty.
Certifications can be obtained in the different fields including:
- Bioanalysis (ABB),
- Clinical Lipidology (ABCL),
- Clinical Chemistry (ABCC),
- Clinical Molecular Genetics (ABCMG),
- Medical Microbiology (ABMM),
- Forensic Anthropology (ABFA),
- Industrial Radiology (ABIR),
- Clinical Pathology (ASCP),
- Optometry (ABO),
- Toxicology (ABT),
- Forensic Toxicology (ABFT),
- Veterinary Microbiology (ABVM),
- Athletic Trainer (BOC),
- Professional Psychology (ABPP) and Neuropsychology
Certification Requirements
Each board has its own certification requirements. For instance,
To sit in ABFA, you need an Anthropology doctoral degree.
For ABMM, a CPEP training program of two years, and ACGME medical microbiology fellowship program.
To get MLS certification from AMT, you need a medical lab science bachelor’s degree and one year of clinical laboratory experience.
If you want to earn Environmental Analytical Chemist Certification from the NRCC Board,
you need a 16-semester associate degree in chemistry course and three years of experience in environmental analytical chemistry.
Benefits of Board Certification
- Get your USA professional work licensure
- The Board of Certification makes you an expert in your relevant field.
- Through the continuing education process, it touches its candidates with the latest technology
- Add additional credibility to candidates’ careers
- Offer career opportunities
- Increase candidates’ marketability
- Candidates get respectful environments among their peers
- Top positions among colleagues
- Opportunities of getting double salaries
Board Certified Professionals
Wenliang Song, MD, MTR Certified 2017 (Assistant Professor of Medicine Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN)
Webliange Song is board certified in Clinical Lipidology, Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease. He is an appointed Fellow of the National Lipid Association.
Jaymelee J. Kim (Diplomate, American Board of Forensic Anthropology)
She is an American board-certified (2023) and Anthropology assistant professor at Wayne State University.
Exam Details
Every specific board of a different specialty has its own exam format.
For the exam,
the American Board of Optometry certification exam is computer-based.
All questions (160) are multiple-choice. 20 questions out of 160 are non-scored, while the rest of the questions are scored.
The board offers four hours to finish this exam.
While,
ASCP exam is 100 MCQs for most of certificates and is administered by computer adaptive testing.
Preparation Resource
The American Boards offer exam preparation resources for all certifications.
The board also determines the exam syllabus for all areas of specialty.
For instance, the AMT Board presents practice exams, fundamental course exam content guidelines, and reference material for all certifications.
Tips to Get Success in Certification
- Read all exam content guidelines carefully
- Make an actionable study plan
- Use practice exams
- Subscribe online pep bundle like ScientistsAcademy.com
- Use the best study guide for exam preparation.
Recertification Process
The American Board for scientists has a recertification process for all certificates.
It is called ongoing learning education.
The purpose of the recertification process is to add advanced technology into certificates and skills of board certified.
For instance,
ASCP expired after 3 years and is maintained and renewed by continuing education program (CMP).
The ASCP Board of Certification developed the Credential Maintenance Program (CMP).
To provide opportunities to obtain a wide variety of learning experiences. This demonstrates professional competency and dedication to excellence in the medical laboratory.
While, ABCL certification expires after 10 years of getting.
To update your certificate, you have to take part in the recertification process.
The boards determine some eligibility requirements that are essential to meet for the renewal certification process.
For ABCL certification, you need to get 250 points (Professionalism and Licensure 100 points, Lifelong Learning and Self Assessment, 150 points and Practice Performance Assessment (optional), 50 points)
Comparison with Other Certifications
American Boards for Scientists focus on a specific area of specialty to candidate experts in their field.
The board strictly monitors the candidates’ background education, experience, and skills in their relevant field.
Other certification programs demand minimum requirements to award the certificates.
The Board of Certification updates the scientist certificates after a few years, 3 Years in case of ASCP.
This continuing education program introduces new technologies to candidates’ skills and certificates.
While other certification programs do not have any certification renewal programs. Their credentials are valid for a lifetime.
Fees and Application Process
All boards have different fees for different certificates.
For example,
American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), fees differ based on the nationality of candidate and certificate type. For example, MLS (ASCP) costs $250 while ASCPi fee is $210 ($95 for third world countries).
the American Board of Clinical Lipidology application and credential fees are $300, and the examination fee is $900.
The American Board of Optometry exam fee is $950, and the American Board of Forensic Toxicology application fee is $300.
For all board credentials, you have to create an account on the official website.
Make sure to add all required information correctly.
After login to the official website, you will find the application form.
Fill out the form attentively and make sure to double-check.
Submit application form with application fees.
Application fees for all American boards are non-refundable.
Board Certification Verification
American Boards offer some specific identification to verify certificates.
The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) board presents some sources for verification including credential number, category, and validation period.
American Medical Technologists (AMT) offer AMT’s Credly directory for certification verification.
Candidates can implement the specific skills, badge types, email addresses, and locations to find membership.
Many American boards offer tools for certification verification.
Verification of certification is necessary because it adds accuracy. The verification process helps to determine the candidates’ skills, experience, and current status.
Testimonials and Success Stories
According to Karen A. Brown, MS, MLA(ASCP)CM
“The ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) affirms that an individual demonstrates the knowledge and skills to perform the essential task in the medical laboratory. My certification and involvement with the BOC have enhanced not only my professional career but also enriched my life in many other ways.”
According to Jennifer Colby, PhD
“I believe that ABCC diplomats are recognized as leaders in our field and that as a result, my certification has opened many doors for me. The rigor of the ABCC certification process is one of the reasons our credentials continue to be so well-regarded. My ABCC diplomate status is a concrete representation of my commitment to continued growth and excellence in clinical chemistry and toxicological chemistry”.
Notable American Board Certifications
American Board of Bioanalysis (ABB)
ABB designs certificates for the clinical lab profession.
The board offers certification for clinical laboratory supervisors, consultants, and directors.
The certification of this board includes BCLD (Bioanalyst Clinical Laboratory Director), PHLD (Public Health Laboratory Director), HCLD ( High-complexity Clinical Laboratory Director) ELD (Embryology Laboratory Director), ALD (Andrology Laboratory Director), CC (Clinical Consultant) and TS (Technical Supervisor).
American Board of Clinical Chemistry (ABCC)
ACBCC offers certification to candidates with a doctoral-level degree in the practice of toxicological chemistry, clinical chemistry, and other clinical lab medicine disciplines.
ABCC aims to advance the scientists by setting competence standards for practicing clinical lab medicine.
American Board of Clinical Lipidology (ABCL)
ABCL in 2002. The board offers certificates to candidates who prove their experience in lipid management.
The mission of this Board is to train candidates in the clinical lipidology field to reduce the mortality and morbidity from dyslipidemia or related disorders.
American Board of Clinical Molecular Genetics (ABCMG)
The ABCMG awards certificates and accredits training programs to individuals in the human genetics’ fields.
This board serves the medical profession and the public by fixing the standard for professional certification.
It promotes the lifelong learning process and also adds excellence to candidates’ certificates in the medical genetics field.
American Board of Forensic Anthropology (ABFA)
ABFA is the only approved certification board offering anthropologists certificates.
The Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board has accredited this board.
American Board of Forensic Odontology (ABFO)
The Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board also accredited the ABFO.
It offers certification to well-experienced dentists.
The board establishes the qualification standard and certifies the candidates who meet the requirements of the board.
American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH)
Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Professional Environmental Auditor (CPEA), Certified Professional Product Steward (CPPS), Certified Process Safety Auditor (CPSA), Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP), Certified Associate Industrial Hygienist (CAIH) and Environmental Professional In-Training (EPI) are the ABIH certification.
The mission of the board behind presenting credentials to eligible individuals is to protect the environment and people worldwide.
American Board of Radiology (ABR)
Pediatric Radiology, Radiation Oncology, Neuroradiology, Pain Medicine, Medical Physics, Nuclear Radiology, Diagnostic Radiology, Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and Vascular and Interventional Radiology are certifications of ABR.
This board is a member of ABMS (American Board of Medical Specialties).
American Board of Medical Microbiology (ABMM)
ABMM is a U.S. Department approved by HHS.
This board offers certification to doctoral-level microbiologists by conducting exams.
The ABMM-certified can perform experiments in public and medical health microbiology labs.
American Board of Optometry (ABO)
NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies) accredited the ABO.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recognized the ABO.
The board plays a crucial role to expand the knowledge of health care professionals.
Therefore, it offers many programs including the continuous learning process to shine professional skills.
American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP)-Specialty in Neuropsychology
The ABPP board was established in 1981.
The ABPP is a specialty board of the (ABCN) American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology.
After passing the ABCN specialty exam, candidates get the certificate of Clinical Neuropsychology.
After this, the certified candidates can join the AACN (Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology).
AACN is a membership academy of ABCN Specialists.
American Board of Toxicology (ABT)
The objective of the ABT is to promote the toxicology science study.
This board adds advancement into professional certifications by establishing professional practice and standards.
The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
The ASCP board was created in 1928.
It has been awarded more than 610,000 certifications in different fields of medical labs.
It offers many certificates to medical technicians, technologists, and specialists.
American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT)
The ABFT was organized in 1975.
ABFT is not a membership organization.
FSAB (Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board) accredited the ABFT.
Certification is based on the candidate’s educational professional and personal record, training experience, and formal written exam.
American Medical Technologists (AMT)
The AMT board offers many certifications including MLS (medical lab scientist), MLT (medical lab technician) MDT (molecular diagnostics technologist) RMA (medical assistant), and much more.
The American Medical Technologists Board came into being in 1939 and was accredited by NCCA.
Its certification process is very simple but strict for eligibility requirements.
Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC)
The BOC board offers certification and recertification for Athletic trainers.
It is the mission of the board to train the athletic trainer so that they offer incredible value to their patients’ lives.
National Registry of Certified Chemists (NRCC)
This board offers certifications for Environmental Analytical Chemists, Clinical Chemists, Cannabis Chemists, Industrial Hygiene Chemists, Clinical Chemistry Technologists, Chemical Hygiene Officers, Toxicological Chemists, and Toxicological Technologists.
Conclusion for American Board for Scientists
American Board Certifications for Scientists include a long list of Boards that provides certifications in different specialty areas.
All boards have their own role and regulations, eligibility requirements, application process, exam format, etc.
When it comes to getting advantages from American Board Certification, it loads with miracles.
These certifications are enough to change candidates’ lives professionally and financially.
The American Board not only offers a better environment, and double salaries but also shines the candidates’ life in many other ways.