In order to assure the standard of embryology care, certification of embryology practitioners is one of the core missions of American College of Embryology.
At this time, Embryology practice is unregulated in the United States on the federal level, and only a handful of states regulate it at the state level. Therefore, certification by American College of Embryology or any other organization is not required to practice embryology. However, this may change and some form of certification or license will be required.
The first group of Embryology Practitioners was largely grandfathered, based on the credentials and the success rate of the clinics where they practice.
This group now comprises an Embryology Practitioners Certification Body (EPCB), which will certify future applicants in a peer-review process until the specific educational and regulatory standards are developed and implemented.
Each year American College of Embryology will conduct a market survey to determine the number of practitioners to be certified in every category, and EPCB will be asked to select the best applicants for certification.
If you would like to apply for General Certification, please click here.
Once certified, a professionals must:
- Complete requisite continuing education requirements
- Hold earned Ph.D. in science or a M.D. from an accredited university or does not have doctoral degree but was qualified by EPCB
- Have independently performed ≥ 100 hands-on ART cases during the past 3 years in an embryology laboratory in the United States
- Peer-certified by EPCB
- Have successfully completed the embryology residency requirement
- Enrollment in ACE Continuing Education program
- Successful completion of 4.0 acceptable CE units each year
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; and 5) documentation of required hours of continuing education
Embryologist – Academic or Non-clinical Track
- Hold earned Ph.D. sciences or an M.D. from an accredited university
- Peer-certified by EPCB
- Submission of Academic Case Log documenting continued practice (e.g. teaching, legal practice) in embryology. The Academic or Non-clinical Track will be designated as (ACE-Acad) on the certificate. The ACE-Acad track does not quality the certificant for clinical practice in embryology.
- Enrollment in ACE Continuing Education program
Annual Certification Maintenance
- Successful completion of 4.0 acceptable CE units each year
Re-Certification every 5 years
Submission of a Case Log documenting: 1) academic publications and presentations; 2) research and grants; 3) contributions to the embryology profession; 4) letters of professional recommendation; and 5) documentation of required hours of continuing education
- Hold earned master’s degree in science from an accredited university or was qualified by EPCB
- Have independently performed ≥ 50 hands-on ART cases during the past 2 years in an embryology laboratory in the United States or in a well known international embryology program or peer-certified by EPCB
- Enrollment in ACE Continuing Education program
- Successful completion of 4.0 acceptable CE units each year
Submission of a Case Log
- 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
- Peer-certified by EPCB
- Enrollment in ACE Continuing Education program
- Successful completion of 4.0 acceptable CE units each year
Submission of a Case Log
- Hold earned master’s degree or bachelor’s degree plus graduate certificate in clinical embryology program from an accredited university
- Peer-certified by EPCB
- Enrollment in ACE Continuing Education program
- Successful completion of 4.0 acceptable CE units each year