Chemical Pathology

Chemical Pathology Exam Description

The examination in chemical pathology is a one-day, computer-based examination consisting of combined Written and Practical questions in each section of the examination. It is administered as follows:

Chemical Pathology ExamTotal Number of QuestionsTotal Time
 Combined Written/Practical Sections 2706 Hrs. 18 Mins

A candidate must pass both the written and the practical portions of the examination in the same administration in order to pass the examination. All questions are multiple-choice and in the one-best-answer format. The questions are designed to measure the candidate’s body of knowledge and problem-solving ability. The practical examination includes graphs, charts, formulas, diagrams, tables, or other images.

Subject areas covered include, but are not limited to:

  • Laboratory administrative and management requirements and practices
  • Patient preparation and specimen collection
  • Standards and units of measurement
  • Calculations and statistics
  • Quality Control.
  • Instrumentation and equipment
  • Analytic methods and techniques
  • Disorders of metabolism
  • Electrolyte and acid/base disorders
  • Serum protein and coagulation abnormalities
  • Chemical disorders and clinical aspects of organ and system diseases
  • Diagnostic application of laboratory data
  • Screening and home-testing procedures
  • Drug abuse, overdose, and testing
  • Patient care decision-making and consultation

Subspecialty Exam Blueprints and Daily Schedules