Michelle-
It is my understanding one can still become a HT-Florida licensed without ever having the HT(ASCP). There are many variations to answer your questions so this is a stab at the general overview of licensure, regulations and state regulations over histologists.
To the best of my knowledge no states REQUIRE the ASCP examination but several states require licensure to work in labs in the state. The ASCP testing is completely independent of all states (licensure states or not)--but most states that require licensure honor (reciprocate) this test as the 'gold standard' and accept it in lieu of their own--or use it instead of proctoring their own. The grandfather for ASCP is no longer available and all candidates must qualify under the rules established by the ASCP. This information is available from the Board of Registry in a PDF booklet:
http://www.ascp.org/Certification/CertifyingExaminations/cert_procedures/default.aspx
This resource can answer your questions regarding the difference in requiremenst for HT vs. HTL in general, as well.
As mentioned, there are only a handful of states that require licensure for Histotechs (five or six). Most states allow Histos to work without any licensure and each facility sets their standard of minimum employable requirements. Many of our temp techs have 20+ years of experience and are GREAT techs but are not registered and we can keep them working full-time. But this only answers part of your question. No state outside of Florida reciprocates with Florida licensure, only ASCP. So a FL license is not enough in itself to establish qualifications for another state's license, though most of the requisite components are the same--so you'd likely qualify.
Complexity of testing and who can and can't do the testing is not regulated uniformly by state (this brings to mind the discussion on grossing--eek!). The governing bodies that have a say over this kind of testing are CAP if your facility is CAP accredited, and CLIA if you do any state or federally funded (medicaid) testing. (I"m not sure about JHACO--can someone else weigh in on this one?) ASCP will test and qualify a registered tech or even a non-histotech with a Bachelor's for IHC testing (a med tech or research assistant can become QIHC)--see the requirements via this link:
http://www.ascp.org/Certification/CertifyingExaminations/qual_procedures/default.aspx
This testing is validated by quality controls and monitored directly by a licensed medical director (physician) --so who can and can't do IHC is going to have a lot of discussion--for the majority of states this is controlled by the policy of the facility itself.
I know this can be confusing--and as more states consider instituting state-level controls on healthcare (such as they do for other genres of healthcare) this will only get more confusing. I hope this helped a little bit--but the overall backbone to all of this is ASCP testing and as you are ASCP registered and working, you should have no worries.
Cheryl
Cheryl Kerry, HT(ASCP)
Full Staff Inc.
Staffing the AP Lab, one great tech at a time
281.852.9457
800.756.3309
Michelle McCoy wrote:
I'm a fairly new HT (ASCP) working in Florida. I believe some of my fellow
workers are FL HT without having taken ASCP (received HT before required to
take ASCP for state license). I was wondering if:
-all states or only some require ASCP now
-If all states requiring state licensing require ASCP to get the state
license
-If some states will allow FL HT (without ASCP) to work as HT in their state
(grandfathered in)
-who is eligible to do IHC testing in different states (in FL I believe you
have to be FL/HTL licensed)
-if the requirements to be HTL are the same in other states as Florida (FL
HTL obtained after 5 years experience or the ASCP/HTL passed before the 5
years of experience (for those with higher degrees such as Bachelor's)
Thanks for any information on this.
Michelle
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