The American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry (ASCP-BOR) and The [removed]National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel [/removed](NCA) have reached an agreement on the formation of a unified credentialing agency.
The respective agencies have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) that has also been ratified by the sponsoring organizations, namely, the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) and the Association of Genetic Technologists (AGT). Execution of the LOI indicates that the organizations have reached a mutual agreement in principle on the formation of a unified certification organization that embodies a shared vision for peer credentialing.
Unification will simplify processes for educational program directors, student applicants from accredited institutions (NAACLS and CAAHEP) as well as all other eligible individuals who receive on-the-job laboratory training. In addition, this union is intended to increase credibility and respect from other healthcare professionals and employers, and focus on critical issues for the future of the profession.
Construction of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is currently underway between these organizations detailing the governance, the impact of the single certification agency on the credentials of currently certified individuals, as well as the impact on policies related to re-certification and new applicants.
In the interim, both agencies (ASCP-BOR and the NCA) will continue business as usual as the transition unfolds.
