Certification Requirements

ACE certifies embryologists at four levels of clinical practice and also provides certification for academic embryologists.  Initial certification is based on:  

  • Academic credentials from accredited universities
  • Practice experience (residency requirement effective March 1, 2011)
  • Written examination
  • Enrollment in the ACE Continuing Education program 
In order to maintain ACE certification, professionals must: 
  • Renew membership on annual basis
  • Complete requisite continuing education requirements 
In-line with other professional models, and to ensure quality of practice in embryology, ACE requires re-certification every five years. Recertification will be based on:
 
Submission of a Case Log documenting: 1) number of cycles performed; 2) types of procedures performed; 3) outcomes for cycles; 4) letters of professional recommendation; 5) successful completion of applicable proficiency examinations (see individual categories below); and 6) documentation of required hours of continuing education
 
Levels of Practice:
 
1.          Embryologist (Level IV):  EMB
  • Hold earned Ph.D. in science or a M.D. from an accredited university
  • Have independently performed ≥ 100 hands-on ART cases during the past 3 years in an embryology laboratory in the United States or an international laboratory that is accredited by the College of American Pathologists.  International embryologists currently practicing in laboratories that are not CAP-accredited may apply for certification  until February 28, 2011 as long as all other requirements are met. Effective March 1, 2011 a residency in an accredited program will be required.
  • Successfully pass the ACE board examination; Grandfathering window will be open through February 28, 2011 during which applicants certified in embryology by the American Board of Bioanalysis (HCLD, ELD, TS) will not be required to take the general written ACE examination.
  • Have successfully passed a proficiency examination in at least one of the following areas (ICSI, embryo biopsy, cryopreservation)
  • Enrollment in ACE Continuing Education program 
Certification Maintenance 
  • Membership renewal on annual basis
  • Successful completion of 4.0 acceptable CE units 
Re-Certification every 5 years  
  • Submission of Case Log 
2.     Embryology Associate (Level III) EMA
  • Hold earned master’s degree in science from an accredited university
  • Have independently performed ≥ 50 hands-on ART cases during the past 2 years in an embryology laboratory in the United States or an international laboratory that is accredited by the College of American Pathologists.  International embryologists currently practicing in laboratories that are not CAP-accredited may apply for membership through February 28, 2011 as long as all other requirements are met. Effective March 1, 2011 a residency in an accredited program will be required.
  • Successfully pass the ACE board examination; Grandfathering window will be open through February 28, 2011 during which time applicants certified in embryology by the American Board of Bioanalysis (ELD, TS) will not be required to take the ACE general written examination.
  • Have successfully passed a proficiency examination in at least one of the following areas (ICSI, embryo biopsy, cryopreservation)
  • Enrollment in ACE Continuing Education program 
Certification Maintenance  
  • Membership renewal on annual basis
  • Successful completion of 4.0 acceptable CE units 
Re-Certification every 5 years  
  • Submission of Case Log 
 
3.     Embryology Technologist (Level II) EMT
  • Hold earned bachelor’s degree in science or medical laboratory science from an accredited university
  • Have independently performed ≥ 50 hands-on ART cases under supervision during the past 2 years in an embryology laboratory in the United States or an international laboratory that is accredited by the College of American Pathologists.  International embryologists currently practicing in laboratories that are not CAP-accredited may apply for membership until February 28, 2011 as long as all other requirements are met. Effective March 1, 2011 a residency in an accredited program will be required.
  • Successfully pass the ACE board examination; Grandfathering window will be open through February 28, 2011 during which time, applicants certified in embryology by the American Board of Bioanalysis (ELD, TS) will not be required to take the ACE general written examination.
  • Have successfully passed a proficiency examination in at least one of the following areas (ICSI, embryo biopsy, cryopreservation)
  • Enrollment in ACE Continuing Education program 
Certification Maintenance 
  • Membership Renewal on annual basis
  • Successful completion of 4.0 acceptable CE units
Re-Certification every 5 years
  • Submission of Case Log 
4.    Graduate Embryologist (Level I) EMG 
  • Hold earned master’s degree or bachelor’s degree plus graduate certificate in clinical embryology program from an accredited university
  • Successfully pass the ACE theoretical examination 
  • Enrollment in ACE Continuing Education program 
Graduates of the Eastern Virginia Medical School masters in Clinical Embryology & Andrology, the University of Kentucky’s Reproductive Laboratory Science masters program, and Leed’s University M.Sc. in Clinical Embryology qualify for the exemption. Graduates of other international programs may grandfather as well, and will be evaluated by the Education committee upon request.    
 
In order to qualify for certification as an Embryology Technologist orEmbryology Associate levels, applicants holding the acceptable masters degree must meet all other requirements including documentation of work experience and skills testing.
 
Certification maintenance  
  • Membership renewal on annual basis
  • Successful completion of 4.0 acceptable CE units 
Re-Certification every 5 years  
  • Submission of Academic Case Log documenting continued practice (e.g. teaching, legal practice) in embryology.   It will be denoted on the ACE that certification that  the Non-clinical Track does not quality the individual for clinical practice in embryology.  
4.     Embryologist – Non-clinical Track 
  • Hold earned Ph.D. in life sciences or an M.D. from an accredited university
  • Successfully pass the ACE board examination; Grandfathering window will be open until February 28, 2011during which time applicants certified in embryology by the American Board of Bioanalysis (HCLD, ELD, TS) and those holding active academic position in Reproductive Sciences will not be required to take the ACE examination.
  • Enrollment in ACE Continuing Education program 
 
Residency
 
The specific curriculum of the residency for each clinical track certification level is currently under review.  
  • Every year, the ACE Education committee will identify the number of residency sites required and will nominate the specific laboratories accredited by ACE, as training sites.
  • The Education Committee, in consultation with the Practice Committee, will submit the respective list of nominated laboratories to the Advisory committee for comments.

Waiver for the requirement to "successfully pass a proficiency examination in at least one of the following areas (ICSI, embryo biopsy, cryopreservation)" The waiver can only be used during the grandfathering period. 

For an individual who is otherwise qualified, the practical examination requirements can be waved (during the grandfathering period)*, provided that he/she has performed at least 50 relevant procedures in the 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.

* after grandfathering period, the waiver would require performing those procedures in the program designated by the College for Embryology for residency.

**3 years are the last three years for which SART data are available.

 
Your program should have reported the following pregnancy rate per transfer in order for an applicant to qualify for the waiver:
 

2006 - 48% or higher 
2007 - 50% or higher 
2008 - 51% or higher