The Education System for Cytotechnologists and Efforts to Improve Professionalism in the United States of America

The path to becoming a cytotechnologist (also known as a cytologist) in the United States of America (USA) requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and the completion of a training program certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Aspirants are recognized as cytologists after passing a test administered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification on completion of a recognized cytotechnology training program. Cytotechnology training programs are currently provided by 18 universities and hospitals. Six of them provide master’s level education, unifying existing programs to the master’s level, which is necessitated due to a shortage of pathologists and the rapid development of the health care system. The improvement and unification of the curriculum, qualification renewal system, and the effort to change the title of qualified personnel from cytotechnologist to cytologist are seen as measures that would strengthen the capabilities of cytotechnologists as well as assist in keeping pace with the rapidly changing medical system. Knowledge about the educational courses available for cytotechnologists and the efforts to strengthen their expertise in the USA would be helpful to professors who guide students preparing for overseas employment and seeking professional improvement in Korea.