Cytopathology

Cytopathology Exam Description

The examination in cytopathology is a one-day, computer-based examination consisting of combined Written and Practical sections and Virtual Microscopy (VM) sections. There are no glass slides, only VM. The examination is administered as follows:

Cytopathology ExamTotal Number of QuestionsTotal Time
 Written/Practical Sections 2204 Hrs. 4 Mins
Virtual Microscopy703 Hrs. 48 Mins

All questions are multiple-choice, single-best answer format. The questions assess the candidate’s body of knowledge, judgment and problem-solving ability. The practical questions include interpretive and problem-solving aspects of cytopathology, including clinical, radiologic and histologic correlation and management guidelines. The written questions include factual, administrative, technical, and regulatory aspects of cytopathology, systems-based practice, and patient care. The virtual microscopy examination requires using locator skills, diagnostic interpretation, and correlation with histologic findings. Typically, the cervical/anal cytology slides will be dotted; FNA and non-gynecologic slides are usually not dotted.

Exam content areas include, but are not limited to:

Gynecologic/Anal Cytopathology

  • Sample collection, preparation, automation, and ancillary testing
  • Morphology of normal, reactive, infectious, and epithelial abnormalities
  • Bethesda System terminology for reporting cervical cytology, WHO/LAST recommendations for histopathology reporting of HPV associated squamous lesions of the lower anogenital tract.
  • Primary prevention of cervical cancer- HPV vaccination
  • Secondary prevention of cervical cancer: current screening and management guidelines from key organizations (ACS, USPSTF, ASCCP, ACOG, etc.)

Non-Gynecologic and Fine Needle Aspiration Cytopathology

  • Includes specimens obtained from all body sites
  • Sample collection (techniques, indications) and processing,
    • Specimen types-direct smears, liquid-based preparations, cell blocks, core biopsies, crush/squash preparations and touch imprints of core biopsies, gross specimen scrapes.
    • Stains – familiarity with air dried Romanowsky, alcohol fixed Papanicolaou, and H&E stained preparations is expected.
  • Specimen types-direct smears, liquid-based preparations, cell blocks, core biopsies, crush/squash preparations and touch imprints of core biopsies, gross specimen scrapes.
  • Morphology of normal, reactive, infectious, and neoplastic/malignant entities
  • Standardized cytopathology reporting terminology recommendations for thyroid, salivary gland, pancreaticobiliary, breast, urinary, serous fluid and respiratory cytology.
  • Ancillary studies (histochemical /immunochemical stains, flow cytometry, molecular, cytogenetic, and genomic testing)
  • Includes applicable
    • Clinical presentation, radiologic findings, disease associations, and prognostic significance
    • Pathogenesis, epidemiology, molecular/genetic changes
    • Cytologic-histologic correlation
    • Clinical management including applicable professional guidelines (e.g., ATA etc.) and targeted therapies/ companion and complementary diagnostics

Laboratory Management/Administration

Cytopathology laboratory accreditation requirements, quality assurance, safety, federal laws and agency regulations, physician credentialing, Continuing Certification, litigation, validation, statistics relevant to health care, informatics, digital pathology, billing and coding.


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