ASCP Certification Content Includes the Following:

GENERAL PATHOLOGY

  • Cell injury

  • Environmental, toxic, and nutritional

  • Fluid and hemodynamic derangements

  • Genetic and metabolic disorders

  • Immunopathology

  • Infectious diseases

  • Neoplasia

SYSTEMIC PATHOLOGY

  • Blood and lymphoid

  • Bone and soft tissue

  • Breast

  • Cardiovascular

  • Endocrine

  • Gastrointestinal

  • Kidney and urinary tract

  • Liver and biliary tract

  • Nervous system

  • Pediatric

  • Perinatal

  • Reproductive

  • Respiratory

ANATOMIC PATHOLOGY TECHNIQUES

  • Autopsy Pathology Techniques

  • Histological Techniques

  • Surgical Pathology Techniques

ANATOMY

  • ·Gross & Microscopic 

AUTOPSY PATHOLOGY

  • Adult

  • Neonatal/perinatal

  • Pediatric

  • Medicolegal/forensic

FIXATION, PROCESSING, EMBEDDING, MICROTOMY & STAINING

  • Tissues

    • Biochemistry principles/theories

    • Cell/Component preservation

    • Function

    • Morphology/Anatomy

  • Procedures

    • Artifacts/precipitates/pigments

    • Cytologic specimens (e.g., cell blocks, touch preps)

    • Electron microscopy

    • Enzyme histochemistry

    • Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE tissues)

    • Frozen sections (Fresh Frozen tissues)

    • Gelatin/adhesive

    • Immunofluorescence

    • Immunohistochemistry

    • In-situ hybridization

    • Light microscopy

    • Preparation for molecular testing (RNAse-free area, scrolls, laser capture microdissection)

    • Quality Control

    • Special stains 

  • Staining

    • Nucleus & Cytoplasm

    • Bone marrow

    • Carbohydrates

    • Connective/supporting tissues

    • Lipids

    • Microorganisms

    • Nerve

    • Pigments/minerals/granules

    • Tissues/cells/components (e.g., fibrin, mast cells)

  • Parameters

  • Fixation temperatures based on tissue type

  • Fixation times

  • Fixative volumes

  • Specimen sizes

  • Mounting Procedures

    • Media

    • Coverslip

    • Refractive index