The Commission on Accreditation is an independent non-profit organization that accredits training programs in clinical chemistry at the masters, doctoral, and postdoctoral level. The purpose of granting accreditation to training programs is to foster their excellence, to provide recognition to accredited programs, and to attract qualified individuals to training centers of excellence. This process is intended to assure the trainee that the standards of education and training are consistent with the progress in medicine and clinical laboratory sciences.
To insure that these basic standards are met, each accredited program undergoes a rigorous examination of its curriculum, faculty, and institutional support, as facilitated by the preparation of a self-study document by the program director. In addition, each program is site-visited by Commissioners every five years. Graduates of accredited programs are permitted to take either the American Board of Clinical Chemistry (doctoral level) or the National Registry in Clinical Chemistry (masters level) examination prior to meeting experience requirements.
In order to meet the changing needs of the current practice of laboratory medicine, ComACC postdoctoral training programs are in the process of expanding their curriculum to include new testing areas, and into sections of the clinical laboratory that are not within the traditional boundaries of clinical chemistry. Among the emerging fields of study are forensic toxicology, molecular diagnostics, information sciences, laboratory management sciences, and point-of-care testing. With development of the “core” laboratory concept, i.e., the integration of high volume testing services into a central facility, clinical chemists must be trained in automated hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, serology, and infectious diseases. Of course, basic and/or applied clinical research is a major part of all ComACC programs. To meet these goals, many ComACC training programs have or are in the process of expanding to three years. Please contact individual program directors to if their fellowships meet your educational needs.
ComACC-accredited programs qualify as acceptable institutions for those who are applying for certification by the National Registry in Clinical Chemistry. Recent graduates from ComACC- accredited clinical chemistry programs may be admitted to the NRCC examination prior to acquisition of the required experience. Advanced degrees can be substituted for experience when applying for certification through the NRCC. For details on certification contact the ADLM or the National Registry in Clinical Chemistry.
The Commission on Accreditation is sponsored by these organizations:
Academy of Clinical Laboratory Physicians and Scientists
Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine, Inc.
American Chemical Society
Association of Clinical Scientists
National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry
For more information contact:
ComACC Administrator
900 Seventh Street NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20001, USA
ComACCAdministrator@myadlm.org