ASCP unites more than 100,000 anatomic and clinical pathologists, residents and fellows, medical laboratory professionals, and students to accelerate the advancement of laboratory medicine to better improve patient care through knowledge, collaboration, and global community. Our mission is to provide excellence in education, certification, and advocacy on behalf of the patients, pathologists, and laboratory professionals around the globe.
Since our founding in 1922, ASCP has grown to become a formidable leader in laboratory medicine, which is strengthened by the diversity and the dedication of our members. ASCP has organized its efforts around four essential values: improving patient care through advancement, knowledge, collaboration, and global community.
ASCP serves as a principal resource for continuing medical education (CME) in pathology and laboratory medicine and is accredited with commendation by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide CME for physicians. All ASCP CME activities are acceptable for the American Board of Pathology’s Maintenance of Certification Program, Part II Lifelong Learning. Many meet the requirements for Part II Self-Assessment Modules and/or Part IV Quality Assurance.
The ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) began certifying laboratory personnel in 1928 and has certified more than 500,000 medical laboratory professionals. The ASCP BOC is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), which sets the benchmark of excellence in U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment systems.
Through its advocacy efforts, ASCP represents the interests of pathology and laboratory medicine on legislative and policy issues before Congress, the Administration, federal regulatory agencies, and state governments. ASCP also interacts with patient, allied health, laboratory and medical organizations, as well as nongovernmental organizations such as the Clinton Global Initiative, to build coalitions to further the goals of ASCP in the interests of the profession. ASCP also raises the visibility of pathology and laboratory medicine to the public through media relations and career outreach.
ASCP membership is free to pathology residents. Resident members receive:
- Online access to ASCP journals, Lab Medicine™, the American Journal of Clinical Pathology (AJCP), and the ASCP Job Finder;
- Discounts on the Education like the ASCP Annual Meeting and ASCP Webcasts;
- The ASCP quarterly magazine, Critical Values; weekday delivery of Daily Diagnosis; monthly issues of ONELab Memo eNewsletter; monthly issues of ePolicy News; and access to ASCP’s e-Advocacy Center;
- Access to ONELab Community site;
- Discounted subscription to AJCP and Lab Medicine™; and
- Personal benefits (i.e. group discounts on car insurance and rentals.)
Residents may become active members of the ASCP and participate nationally in organized pathology through the ASCP Resident Council. Resident members also are eligible to vote for members of the Resident Council. Since 1983, ASCP has offered the Pathology Resident In-Service Examination, which is taken by all pathology residents in U.S. training programs. The examination was developed to help both residents and training programs identify their weaknesses and strengths, thereby providing a continuous quality monitor for entrants into the profession.
ASCP is headquartered in Chicago and has offices in Washington, D.C., and Indianapolis.
