When is the right time to take ASCP exam?

I've received some emails coming from the new board passers asking whether or not they should take the ASCP exam sooner and my answer to this question is... IT DEPENDS.

I know that everybody is thrilled to have an additional title (ASCPi) after their names but here are some thoughts that you might consider before taking ASCP:

1. Make sure you plan to work in US in the future. Although ASCP is the gold standard of certification for laboratory professionals world-wide but take note that there are other countries most especially in the middle east that still require you to take their certification exams such as HAAD, Prometric,and DHA.
2. Speaking about American dream, hospital working experience is prioritized by the employers so take the exam when you are already working in a hospital preferably with at least 2 years experience.
3. In connection to the previous pointer, ASCP certification should be renewed every 3 years and the renewal costs another dollars so think about it. It would be better if you're already working abroad by the time you renew your certification. 
4. Better if you have relatives or friends in the US that could help you to find an employer so that you have the motivation to take as soon as possible. Some people could get out of the country in less than 2 years because they're guaranteed of a job already. 

Well, it may be an advantage for those who recently took the licensure exam because the lessons that they have studied are still fresh in their memory. As they say, 'Strike the rod while it’s hot'. They just need to recap the principles and theories. All they have to do is to familiarize the questions that ASCP gives. 

But those who decide to take the exam late, you need not to fret coz in my experience, it took me 3 years before I book the exam and I found it easier to answer the questions because I was able to put it into practice. There was one question there about the order of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) process and the answer is denaturation- annealing- transcription since I ran PCR in the laboratory sometimes.

My advice is.. take ASCP when you're financially and mentally ready. For me, it's hard to fail a 10000-peso exam so I earned it while I study my review materials and recalls bit by bit for a year to refresh my memory. This is not a competition guys. Walk with your own pace. Don't be pressured nor be envious to the ones ahead of you. Everyone has a break. Plan your dream now!