Certification
Requirements for Certification
in Clinical Chemistry
Membership
Full and Student Members of the Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists (CSCC) are eligible to apply to sit the Certification examination of the Canadian Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (CACB). Student members must become a Full CSCC member in order to be eligible for certification.
[Application Form]?
Application Form – click here (Revised January 2015)
Examination
Candidates judged eligible to sit the certification examinations will be required to pass a comprehensive written and oral examination.
Educational and Other Requirements
Candidates shall have educational qualifications in chemistry or the biological sciences equivalent to the requirements for the PhD or DSc degree, or shall have earned a PhD, MD or equivalent degree from a university belonging to the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, from a Canadian school of medicine, or from any other institution which in the opinion of the CACB has an acceptable educational standard.
Candidates shall also be a graduate from a CACB accredited Postdoctoral Program in Clinical Chemistry/Biochemistry with a minimum two years training and a least six months of job experience in a clinical laboratory maintaining a standard in Clinical Chemistry/Biochemistry acceptable to CACB. L’Ordre de Chimistes de Quebec (OCQ) specialty certificate holders can be certified through the Harmonization Agreement with the CACB.
Certification Examinations
Written Examinations
Candidates from a CACB accredited Postdoctoral Program in Clinical Chemistry/Biochemistry may be deemed eligible to sit the written portion of the examination after completion of their training programs. Candidates who are unsuccessful in the written part of the examination may write again within two years without formal reapplication.
Deadline to apply: June 15
Oral Examinations
The oral exam aims to assess the candidate’s ability to apply core knowledge and principles in clinical biochemistry to solving problems which are commonly encountered in professional practice. These may include interpretative or technical review of laboratory data, quality assurance, management, or other pertinent laboratory-related questions.
Deadline to apply: November 30
Candidates who fail the written examination will not be allowed to sit the oral examination. Candidates from a CACB accredited Postdoctoral Training Program in Clincal Chemistry/Biochemistry are required to gain a minimum of six months of experience in Clinical Chemistry/Biochemistry following the completion of the training program before taking the oral examination. The oral examination must be taken within two years of the written examination. Candidates who are unsuccessful in the oral examination may repeat the examination within two years without formal reapplication.
Certification Examinations
Written Examinations: Analytical Examination, (3hrs) Clinical Examination (3hrs).
On passing the written examinations, candidates are invited to an oral examination.
Reapplication / Remedial Training
Candidates who are unsuccessful at obtaining certification within five years of graduation of a Clinical Chemistry postdoctoral training program or after two attempts at either the written or oral portion of the CACB exam must complete remedial training and reapply under the rules and guidelines for Certification or Fellowship application under Requirement #4 in effect at the time of reapplication.
[Application Form]?
Details and application form
Syllabus
(for Postdoctoral Training Programs in Clinical Biochemistry)
“The 2013 syllabus applies to trainees enrolled in July 2013 or later, appearing for the written Certification Examination in the fall 2015 or later. Trainees enrolled before July 2013 and completing the written Certification Examinations in fall 2013 and 2014 will consult the 2005 syllabus. Please contact Head Office for a copy of the 2005 syllabus if needed.”