I have helped med techs take the QIHC exam and i did have them cut their own
sections.  You don't have to, but as Freida pointed out, you are graded on
microtomy and i for one would not want someone else to cut sections that i will
be graded on.
Patsy

Patti Loykasek wrote:

> I probably should have given a bit more background on the question about
> cutting your own sections. I am working with mainly med techs who are doing
> IHC. A couple of them were asking me about taking the QIHC. When I looked at
> the ASCP web site, I saw that the QIHC is open to med techs. I wasn't sure
> about the cutting sections. When I took the QIHC I cut my own, but I'm an
> HTL. I guess if the med techs want to take it, I need to teach them to cut.
> It does raise an interesting question: if the QIHC is open to other
> disciplines, should microtomy be required? I see both sides of the issue.
>
> Thanks to everyone for their response.
>
> Patti Loykasek
> Phenopath Laboratories
> Seattle, WA