CYTOTECHNOLOGY REGISTRY

For more than 35 years, the Office of the Registrar of the International Academy of Cytology has served as an examination and renewal center for cytotechnologists worldwide. As of December 2007, more than 10,000 cytotechnologists will have successfully passed the
Comprehensive Cytotechnology Examination. More than 65 countries are represented among those who have passed the examination.

PREREQUISITES FOR SITTING FOR THE IAC COMPREHENSIVE CYTOTECHNOLOGY EXAMINATION

Three (3) years of full-time experience in cytotechnology is required immediately prior to taking the examination. The individual must be employed at the time he or she sits for the examination.

Cytotechnologists working and living in a country in which a national registry for cytotechnologists exists (such as Australia, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United States of America) must have passed the national examination prior to applying for the IAC Comprehensive Cytotechnology examination for cytotechnologists. For German candidates a copy of the “Zertifikat” from “Die Deutsche Gesellschaft Für Zytologie” is required.

Please note: Each country has its own eligibility requirements for those who wish to work as a cytotechnologist. Before moving to another country it is advisable to check the eligibility requirements.

For individuals immigrating or seeking permanent residence in the United States or Canada, the CT(IAC) examination does not circumvent state or federal regulations or national certification. For additional information please write directly to:

For the United States
The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
Board of Registry, 33 West Monroe, Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60603
or e-mail to info@ascp.org

For Canada:
Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS)
P. O. Box 2830, LCD1
Hamilton, Ontario,
Canada, L8N 3N8

EXAMINATION FEE

One hundred dollars ($100), US$ drawn on a US bank, payable to the International Academy of Cytology.

If the application is not approved, the fee will be refunded. No refund will be made, however, if the candidate is approved, but does not appear at the examination site.

DETAILS ABOUT THE EXAMINATION

The examination encompasses all fields of diagnostic cytology (not only gynecologic cytology), and is given in three parts:

GLASS SLIDE EXAMINATION - 90 MINUTES - 30 GLASS SLIDES

This part of the examination consists of 30 glass slides.

You have three minutes to select your answers for both Level A and Level B.

For purposes of these instructions assume that the first slide you examine during the examination is Slide 9. You decide that the circled cells on Slide 9 (a gynecologic cell sample of a 29 year old patient) represent low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. Under column two (Level A) your choice would be A2. Under column three (Level B) your choice would be B40.

Your selected answers MUST then be entered on the CYTOTECHNOLOGY GLASS SLIDE EXAMINATION answer form.

Please look for the column labeled Slide 9 on the examination answer form. Under Level A fill in the circle with your selected answer A2.

Now go to the column labeled Level B for Slide 9. You will find two columns of circles. Fill in the circle next to B4 and then look for number 0 in the second row of circles. Fill in circle 0 to indicate your answer of B40 low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion.

THE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF CYTOLOGY REGISTRY TEST FOR CT(IAC) TITLE
GLASS SLIDE EXAMINATION

Please make sure that the glass slide number on your microscope matches the case history slide number on the answer form.

PROJECTED VISUAL IMAGE EXAMINATION - 37 MINUTES - 37 VISUAL IMAGES*
* Please note the number of images may be changed.

This part of the examination consists of 37 visual images with multiple-choice questions. You have one minute to select your answer and fill in the answer form. An example of the examination format is provided below.

1. Read the question.
2. Select your answer.
3. Fill in the corresponding circle on the answer form with your choice (use the pencil provided to you by the monitor).

QUESTION SAMPLE
1. These cells were observed in an ectocervical sample from a woman with a cervical erosion. They are most likely

1. endocervical cells.
2. metaplastic cells.
3. endometrial cells.
4. dysplastic cells.
5. inflammatory cells.

Mark your answer in the numbered row which corresponds to the question number. 1

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WRITTEN EXAMINATION - 73 MINUTES - 73 QUESTIONS*
* Please note the number of questions may be changed.

This part of the examination consists of 73 multiple-choice questions on general knowledge in cytopathology-emphasis is on criteria of malignancy. You have up to 73 minutes to complete the examination.

A sample format follows:

1. Read the question.
2. Select one answer from the possible selections.
3. Fill in the corresponding circle on the answer form with your choice (use the pencil provided to you
by the monitor).

QUESTION SAMPLE

W1. Perinuclear halos are an indication of the presence of

1. squamous metaplasia.
2. Herpes genitalis.
3. atrophic vaginitis.
4. invasive squamous carcinoma.
5. inflammatory cell changes.

Mark your answer in the numbered row which corresponds to the question number. 1

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The examination may be given in: Chinese, Dutch, English, French, Finnish, German, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish. Prior notification of language preference is required.


EXAMINATION APPLICATION FORM

An application form may be downloaded from our Web site or requested by mail from the Registrar's Office.

Please write to:
The International Academy of Cytology
Office of the Registrar
P. O. Box 805079
Chicago, Illinois
U. S. A. 60680-4112

Application Form in PDF format

Acrobat Reader 6.0 or later is required to properly view and print the application form. Reader can be downloaded here.

APPLICATION DEADLINE DATE

THE COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM FOR THE EXAMINATION FOR WHICH YOU APPLY MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR IN CHICAGO AT LEAST 8 - 10 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE EXAMINATION DATE.

PLEASE SEND INQUIRIES AND COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS TO:

International Academy of Cytology
Office of the Registrar
P. O. Box 805079
Chicago, Illinois
U. S. A. 60680-4112
e-mail: Registrar@cytology-iac.org

EXAMINATION LOCATIONS/DATES

The examination is given in several locations around the world.

Please see current schedule: Office of the Registrar-Examination Schedule

RESCHEDULING EXAMINATION

A fee of twenty dollars (US$20), drawn on a U.S. bank, is assessed to reschedule you for the examination in the event you have to cancel your initial appointment to sit for the examination. The Registrar's Office must be notified if you are unable to appear at the examination site prior to the
examination date.

DESIGNATED INITIALS

Once a cytotechnologist has successfully passed the comprehensive examination, the successful candidate is designated as CT(IAC) in the Registrar’s office and may carry the initials CT(IAC) following her/his name. Please see procedure in the CMIAC category below to become a Cytotechnologist Member of the International Academy of Cytology.