Certification in Molecular Pathology in the United States (Training and Education Committee, the Association for Molecular Pathology)

Abstract

Training in molecular pathology in the United States is undergoing development toward a more structured format involving accreditation of training programs and the availability of recognized professional credentials. The traditional apprenticeship for molecular pathology, composed of experience in a molecular biology laboratory with a strong research focus is being replaced by formal training in residency, fellowship, and other postdoctoral training programs that have a clinical focus. This is a reflection of increasing importance of this field to clinical practice, and to a growing desire of persons interested in molecular pathology to undertake formal training programs. These developments are bringing molecular pathology in line with other clinical laboratory specialties for which structured training and certification have long been the norm.An important measure of educational achievement is success in professional examinations leading to recognized credentials. These credentials should attest to the holder's professional competence as a practitioner in the field and are frequently used for this purpose by licensing and other regulatory agencies. In the past decade, and especially in the last 5 years, a number of routes for certification in molecular pathology by examination have been offered by nationally recognized credentialing agencies. This paper provides an update on these certification routes reflective of the growing interest in molecular pathology education.

The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics

“…Certification Pathways exist for M.D.s and D.O.s, Ph.D.s, M.T.s, M.L.T.s, and others through various professional certification boards including the ABPath, ABMGG, American Board of Clinical Chemistry, American Board of Bioanalysis, and the American Society for Clinical Pathology; the requirements and various pathways have been succinctly summarized and updated. 6,7 Consensus guidelines for curricula for these various groups have also been published and updated, but as is the case for pathology residents and fellows, continual upgrades are needed to keep pace with rapid and substantial advances in our field. 3e5, 8,9 Such efforts are important, however, to ensure that participants of training programs receive similar, appropriate, and up-to-date experiences.…”