1. Clarification on the Status of Embryology Certification
Embryology is not regulated in the United States at the federal level and at the state level only in Florida. The only area where the federal government, specifically the FDA, has recently become involved has a very limited scope, dealing primarily with cryostorage of gametes and embryos.
CLIA, a federal agency regulating diagnostic laboratories does not regulate embryology. Therefore, unless the Embryology Facility (aka IVF laboratory) is performing Andrology tests covered by CLIA, it is neither able to receive a CLIA certificate, nor one is required. Similarly, no certification whatsoever is currently required by CLIA or any other federal law to work in Embryology Facility in any capacity.
Consequently, with some rare exceptions above, any certification in Embryology by any organization is currently optional.
The stated position of American College of Embryology (ACE) is that "Viewing Embryology as a diagnostic test or set of tests, effectively trivializes this field and diminishes it into purely technical expertise."
ACE believes that it is in the public interest that "Embryology be treated as a distinctive area of practice with highly specialized knowledge and expertise."
Furthermore, ACE believes that "Embryology should be self-regulated by Embryology practitioners, similarly to other professional groups." You can find more details about the position of ACE by clicking here.
ACE is the only completely independent, self-regulated organization of Embryology Practitioners in the United States and in accordance with its mission has established a series of new standards in the field such as:
1. Meeting the threshold of quality based on the level of proficiency during grandfathering (not simply the number of cases)
2. Creating structured and comprehensive educational courses to establish educational standard for all levels of embryology practitioners. These courses can be taken over a period of several years and are based on an accredited PhD program in Reproductive Science.
3. ACE is the only organization which provides testing of core skills in Embryology practice
4. ACE was the first to introduce the concept of embryology internship
ACE is actively involved in the process of legislations affecting embryology as well as in safeguarding interests of embryology practitioners.
2. Recognition of ACE certification in Embryology
ACE certification in Embryology is very new. It does not replace any other certification and at this time has not been recognized by any government or non-government organization and ACE is not actively looking for such endorsement as yet.
ACE certification is a symbol of the highest quality embryology practitioners and a mark of prestige for the clinics where they work.
ACE is making sure that when patients see its logo on the clinic's website they think of the Highest Quality Embryology Practitioner they can trust.
In the future, even if embryology becomes regulated at federal and/or state level, ACE will continue to provide its certification.
3. Extension of the grandfathering deadline due to the perfect storm
Due to the combination of illness, vacations and extended travel of several key individuals involved in processing of certification application and some technical issues with the web site, which precluded some members from submitting their application, ACE has extended grandfathering deadline through the midnight CT of May 1st, 2011
Please continue to submit materials for certification, including documentation to be considered for grandfathering.
4. Continued education
You may register, study and complete the CE examination #1 (Assisted Fertilization) at this time. Go to: http://www.embcol.org/node/194.
TIMELINES and FEES
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CE - All Levels
|
Fees |
ACE Members |
Non-Members |
|
Exam |
$25.00 |
$45.00 |
|
Recording and Tracking |
$20.00 |
$20.00 |
|
TOTAL |
$45.00 |
$65.00 |
Please note that outlines and references will be available at no charge for all CE modules; comprehensive preparatory modules with study questions will be prepared by experts in the area for future CE modules and will be available for a fee $25.00 for both ACE members and non-members.
Certification
|
Comprehensive Embryology Exam and Skills Exam* OR Grandfathering |
Discounts for Applications Submitted Prior to July 23, 2010: Member = 45% discount; Non-Member = 20%
|
Standard pricing After July 22, 2010 |
||
|
Certification Level |
Non-Member |
Member |
Non-Member |
Member |
|
Embryologist Embryology Exam* Skills Exam** Total
Grandfathering Embryology Exam* Skills Exam** Total
|
$320 $240 $565
$320 $240 $565
|
$192.50 $159.50 $352
$192.50 $159.50 $352 |
$400 $300 $700
$400 $300 $700 |
$350 $290 $640
$350 $290 $640 |
|
Embryologist – Non-doctoral *** |
Not available |
Not available |
Total $700
|
Total $640 |
|
Embryology Associate Embryology Exam* Skills Exam** Total Grandfathering Embryology Exam* Skills Exam** Total
|
$160 $216 $376
$120 $216 $336 |
$ 99 $143 $242
$ 55 $143 $198 |
$200 $270 $470
$150 $270 $420 |
$180 $260 $440
$100 $260 $360 |
|
Embryology Assistant Embryology Exam Skills Exam
Total Grandfathering Embryology Exam* Skills Exam** Total
|
$120 $200 $320
$ 80 $200 $280 |
$ 71.50 $132 $203.50
$ 27.50 $132 $159.50 |
$150 $250 $400
$100 $250 $350 |
$130 $240 $370
$ 50 $240 $290 |
|
Graduate Embryologist
Grandfathering Embryology Exam* Skills Exam** Total
|
Not available |
Not available |
$150 N/A $150 |
$100 N/A $100 |
Grandfathering
*in lieu of comprehensive written examination; based on current certification; thru May 1, 2011
**in lieu of skills test; based on pregnancy rates for program, which during at least 1 out of the last 3 years was rated in the top 25%, based on outcomes for patients under 35 years of age [SART data] or pregnancy rates for single blastocyst transfers; thru May 1, 2011
*** for non-doctoral applicants based on CV; thru May 1, 2011