Certification Requirements

ACE certifies embryologists at four levels of clinical practice and also provides certification for academic embryologists and graduates of clinical embryology graduate degree programs.  Initial certification is based on:  

  • Academic credentials from accredited universities
  • Practice experience 
  • Skills documentation
    • Residency requirement for Level IV Embryologists
    • Skills test for Levels
  • Written examination
  • Enrollment in the ACE Continuing Education program 

Please note that ACE continued education is based on an accredited, structured post-graduate course in reproductive laboratory and pre-implantation embryology and designed to provide a comprehensive review over a period of 2-4 years. 

 
In order to maintain ACE certification, professionals must: 
  • Complete requisite continuing education requirements 
In-line with other professional models, and to ensure quality of practice in embryology, ACE requires re-certification every five years. Recertification will be based on:
 
Submission of a Case Log documenting: 1) number of cycles performed; 2) types of procedures performed; 3) outcomes for cycles; 4) letters of professional recommendation; 5) documentation of required hours of continuing education
 
Levels of Practice:
 
1.     Embryologist (Level IV):  EMB
  • Hold earned Ph.D. in science or a M.D. from an accredited university
  • Have independently performed ≥ 100 hands-on ART cases during the past 3 years in an embryology laboratory in the United States 
  • Successfully pass the ACE board examination
  • Have successfully completed the embryology residency requirement
  • Enrollment in ACE Continuing Education program 
Annual Certification Maintenance 
  • Successful completion of 4.0 acceptable CE units each year
Re-Certification every 5 years  

Submission of a Case Log documenting: 1) number of cycles performed; 2) types of procedures performed; 3) outcomes for cycles; 4) letters of professional recommendation; and 5) documentation of required hours of continuing education

 

        Embryologist – Academic or Non-clinical Track

  • Hold earned Ph.D. sciences or an M.D. from an accredited university
  • Successfully pass the ACE board examination
  • Submission of Academic Case Log documenting continued practice (e.g. teaching, legal practice) in embryology.   The Academic or Non-clinical Track will be designated as (ACE-Acad) on the certificate. The ACE-Acad track does not quality the certificant for clinical practice in embryology.
  • Enrollment in ACE Continuing Education program  

Annual Certification Maintenance 

  • Successful completion of 4.0 acceptable CE units each year 

Re-Certification every 5 years  

Submission of a Case Log documenting: 1) academic publications and presentations; 2) research and grants; 3) contributions to the embryology profession; 4) letters of professional recommendation; and 5) documentation of required hours of continuing education

 
2.     Embryology Associate (Level III) EMA
  • Hold earned master’s degree in science from an accredited university
  • Have independently performed ≥ 50 hands-on ART cases during the past 2 years in an embryology laboratory in the United States 
  • Successfully pass the ACE board examination
  • Have successfully passed a proficiency examination in at least one of the following areas (ICSI, embryo biopsy, cryopreservation)
  • Enrollment in ACE Continuing Education program 
Annual Certification Maintenance  
  • Successful completion of 4.0 acceptable CE units each year
Re-Certification every 5 years  

Submission of a Case Log 

 
3.     Embryology Technologist (Level II) EMT
  • Hold earned bachelor’s degree in science or medical laboratory science from an accredited university
  • Have independently performed ≥ 50 hands-on ART cases under supervision during the past 2 years in an embryology laboratory in the United States 
  • Successfully pass the ACE board examination
  • Have successfully passed a proficiency examination in at least one of the following areas (ICSI, embryo biopsy, cryopreservation)
  • Enrollment in ACE Continuing Education program 
Annual Certification Maintenance 
  • Successful completion of 4.0 acceptable CE units each year
Re-Certification every 5 years

Submission of a Case Log 

 

4.    Graduate Embryologist (Level I) EMG 
  • Hold earned master’s degree or bachelor’s degree plus graduate certificate in clinical embryology program from an accredited university
  • Successfully pass the ACE theoretical examination 
  • Enrollment in ACE Continuing Education program 
Annual Certification maintenance  
  • Successful completion of 4.0 acceptable CE units each year
 
Residency
 
The specific residency curriculum must be completed.
  • Each year, the ACE Education committee will identify the number of residency sites required and will nominate the specific laboratories accredited by ACE, as training sites.
  • The Education Committee, in consultation with the Practice Committee, will submit the respective list of nominated laboratories to the Advisory Committee for comments.