ASCP CT study guide
ASCP CT · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The ASCP Certification Examination for Cytotechnologist (CT) is a professional credentialing examination offered through the American Society for Clinical Pathology, the organization whose site lists cytology and cytopathology among its education content areas and which maintains a Board of Certification (BOC) initial certification preparation section and a Credential Maintenance Program. The CT credential is aimed at cytotechnology graduates and laboratory professionals who screen and interpret gynecologic and non-gynecologic cytologic material and who want an objective, third-party demonstration of entry-level competence for employers, licensure boards, and hiring committees. The ASCP CT study guide has 4 sections and about 1,759 words.
01Gynecologic Cytology
Before interpreting a single cell, decide adequacy. A liquid-based preparation needs roughly 5,000 well-visualized, well-preserved squamous cells (conventional smears historically required more); transformation-zone sampling (about 10 endocervical or squamous metaplastic cells) is reported but is not an adequacy requirement.
313 words, about 2 min02Non-Gynecologic Cytology
Sputum, bronchial washings and brushings, and BAL are reported as negative, atypical, suspicious, or malignant, with an attempt to type non-small cell versus small cell carcinoma. Small cell carcinoma shows molding, crush artifact, salt-and-pepper chromatin, and scant cytoplasm; adenocarcinoma forms three-dimensional clusters with prominent nucleoli; squamous carcinoma shows dense cytoplasm, keratinization, and bridges.
280 words, about 1 min03Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology
Thyroid FNA uses the Bethesda System: I nondiagnostic, II benign, III AUS/FLUS, IV follicular neoplasm, V suspicious for malignancy, VI malignant - each with an implied risk of malignancy and management pathway. Salivary gland uses the Milan System (nondiagnostic, non-neoplastic, AUS, neoplasm, suspicious, malignant).
281 words, about 1 min04Laboratory Operations, Quality Management, and Safety
CLIA classifies tests as waived, moderate, or high complexity and sets personnel, proficiency testing, and quality-control requirements. Cytology has specific rules: a cytotechnologist may screen no more than 100 gynecologic slides in 24 hours, and negative gynecologic slides must be rescreened - 10% selected randomly plus high-risk cases chosen by the pathologist.
885 words, about 4 min