[Histonet] Licensing

[pathrm35 <@t> charter.net]

I have mixed feelings about state licensing. In Florida the only thing it does is limit how many techs there are so the techs can dictate their salaries. This is good for them. This is frustrating if you are a supervisor trying to hire a quality tech. You basically have a small work force to choose from and you have a good chance of paying good money for a poor tech. 
I personally think we should have mandatory set national standards (education and experience) across the board that each state needs to recognize. ASCP is great but it is not mandatory, esp. in research or veterinary histology.
The only way state licensing will turn histology into a recognized profession is if each state requires very high educational and experience levels prior to licensing. 
As Joe Nocito use to say -- let the flaming begin.
Ron Martin, BS, HT (ASCP) HTL, QIHC
Florida licensed Histology Supervisor
---- "Jasper wrote: 
> Would anyone be willing to share their opinion about licensing to do Histology?  Up here in Minnesota they are kicking around something called the "Medical Laboratory Science Practice Act".  Still in the very preliminary stages but the goal is to have it enacted by the legislature.
> My understanding in a nutshell - Histotechnologists and Histotechnicians would be issued licenses based on degree held (Bachelors vs. Associates) and successful certification by the ASCP-BOR.  There is no stipulation about HT/HTL in the draft I've seen, I'm assuming one or the other would suffice.  License renewal would then occur every 3 years.  The conditions for renewal are 12 hours of CE annually and a fee (of course) yet to be determined (and I'm sure subject to change/increase).
> This act would apply to all Laboratorians, I've just mentioned the Histology stuff.  I must admit I am somewhat leery about this whole thing mainly because the world these days is already buried in bureaucracy.  I am however open to views on this topic.  If I understand correctly Florida already has such legislation in place (for years).  And New York was thinking about it or may have done it?  Anyway, opinions appreciated.
> Thanks,
> 
> Thomas Jasper HT (ASCP) BAS
> Anatomic Pathology Supervisor
> SMDC Clinical Laboratory
> Duluth, MN
> tjasper <@t> smdc.org
> 
> 
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