Certification Standards for Technical Supervisor (TS)

(Effective December 28, 2024)

Learn more about Andrology Laboratory Scientist (ALS) and Embryology Laboratory Scientist (ELS) certification options to TS certification.

For the clinical laboratory disciplines and specialties of chemistry, diagnostic immunology, hematology, andrology, molecular diagnostics, embryology, microbiology (including bacteriology, parasitology, virology, and mycology), or public health microbiology, to be eligible for certification as a Technical Supervisor, an applicant must pass ABB’s technical supervisor examination in the disciplines applied for and fulfill one (1) of the following requirements:

1. Hold a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Doctor of Science (Sc.D.) degree from an accredited institution (see rule 11 under General Regulations) in a chemical, biological, clinical or medical laboratory science, or medical technology as the major subject and have successfully completed at least 32 semester hours in chemistry or the biological sciences acceptable to the Board; and have at least one (1) year of clinical laboratory training or experience in a CLIA-certified high complexity laboratory (excluding experience/training in a Waived, Moderate Complexity, or Provider Performed Microscopy Laboratory) within the ten (10) years immediately prior to the application date on human specimens, or a combination of both, in high complexity testing within the specialty. OR

2. Be a doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathy licensed to practice medicine or osteopathy in at least one (1) state in the U.S. and have successfully completed 32 semester hours (minimum) in chemistry or the biological sciences acceptable to the board and have at least one (1) year of clinical laboratory training or experience in a CLIA-certified high complexity laboratory (excluding experience/training in a Waived, Moderate Complexity, or Provider Performed Microscopy Laboratory) within the ten (10) years immediately prior to the application date on human specimens, or a combination of both, in high complexity testing within the specialty; OR

3. Hold an earned Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) degree or other clinical/professional doctoral degree, or a doctoral degree in a field that is not in a chemical, biological, clinical or medical laboratory science, or medical technology that is acceptable to the ABB Board and either have completed:
   
   
   • at least 16 semester hours of doctoral-level coursework in biology, chemistry, medical technology, clinical laboratory science, or medical laboratory science; OR
     
     
   • an approved thesis or research project in biology, chemistry, medical technology, clinical laboratory science or medical laboratory science, related to laboratory testing for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of any disease or impairment of, or assessment of the health of, human beings;
     
     
   AND have at least one (1) year of clinical laboratory training or experience in a CLIA-certified high complexity laboratory (excluding experience/training in a Waived, Moderate Complexity, or Provider Performed Microscopy Laboratory) within the ten (10) years immediately prior to the application date on human specimens, or a combination of both, in high complexity testing within the specialty; OR

4. Hold an earned master’s degree from an accredited institution (see rule 11 under General Regulations) in a chemical, biological, clinical or medical laboratory science or medical technology and have successfully completed 32 semester hours (minimum) in chemistry or the biological sciences acceptable to the board and have at least two (2) years of clinical laboratory training or experience in a CLIA-certified high complexity laboratory (excluding experience/training in a Waived, Moderate Complexity, or Provider Performed Microscopy Laboratory) within the ten (10) years immediately prior to the application date on human specimens, or a combination of both, in high complexity testing within the specialty; OR
   
   
5. Hold an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (see rule 11 under General Regulations) in a chemical, biological, clinical or medical laboratory science or medical technology and have successfully completed 32 semester hours (minimum) in chemistry or the biological sciences acceptable to the board and have at least four (4) years of clinical laboratory training or experience in a CLIA-certified high complexity laboratory (excluding experience/training in a Waived, Moderate Complexity, or Provider Performed Microscopy Laboratory) within the ten (10) years immediately prior to the application date on human specimens, or a combination of both, in high complexity testing within the specialty.

For applicants applying for the specialty of Embryology, see General Regulations #19. For applicants applying for the specialty of Andrology, see General Regulations #20.

Effective January 1, 2021, Molecular Diagnostics is defined as "testing that involves the manipulation and examination of nucleic acid in a high complexity testing environment." See General Regulation #21.

*ELD and TS certification have different requirements. For TS certification individuals who hold an M.D. or D.O. degree, or the equivalent, must also be licensed to practice medicine in at least one (1) state in the U.S. This is not a requirement for ELD certification.

PLEASE READ - Instructions for completing the Application for ABB Certification

Application for ABB Certification