NRCC NEWS
January 2015
National Registry of Certified Chemists
Volume 36
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
It was a crazy year for NRCC as our modernization continues. For the first time,
applicants were able to download all application and reference forms, and
certificate holders were able to download renewal forms. The “electronic paper”
trail for submittals has made our job easier, and provides an extra level of
assurance that important documents don’t get lost in the mails. Both applications
and new certificants have increased due to increased interest in professional
certification. There has been a sizeable increase in both applications and
certification renewals, which shows the value of NRCC Board certification in many
scientific fields. While Chemical Hygiene Officer continues as the highest volume
certification program, there have been steady increases in Clinical Chemist and
Toxicological Chemist, as more and more states require Professional Board
certification for laboratory positions.
We are still working on ways to improve service and keep things running as
smoothly as possible. Please feel free to make any suggestions you feel are
appropriate.
As always, I would like to thank the American Chemical Society (ACS) American
Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC), American Board of Clinical Chemistry
(ABCC), American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), American Institute of
Chemists (AIC), and the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (NACB) for
their continued financial support and/or sponsorship, including nominating
representatives to the board of directors.
Please feel free to contact me by email or phone any time if you have a question
or if we can help you in any way.
2015 Board of Directors
Mark Marzinke, PhD, President
Marie Bevier, BA, NRCC-EAC
Laurence Doemeny, PhD
Robert West, MS
Douglas Walters, PhD
Jean Joseph, PhD
Steven Kazmierczak, PhD
Charles (Gus) Manning, PhD
Christopher McCudden, PhD
Douglas Stickle, PhD
Russ Phifer, BA, Executive Director
NRCC 125 Rose Ann Lane, West Grove, PA 19390-8946
610-322-0657 / 800-858-6273 Fax / [email protected]
NRCC NEWS
January 2015
National Registry of Certified Chemists
Volume 36
President’s Column
It has been an honor and my great pleasure to serve as the NRCC President for
2014. I follow in the footsteps of impressive and wonderful people, most
recently Douglas Walters.
I’m sure I speak for the entire Board of Directors when I express my thanks to
Russ Phifer for his dedication and hard work this past year. Russ has done an
outstanding job in continuing to make the transition from Gilbert Smith a
smooth and uneventful change.
I don’t think most of members are aware of the work and time involved in
being the NRCC Executive Director. Russ initiated, coordinated and
implemented the complete update of all the electronic aspects including the
databases of the NRCC. Many of the changes Russ made have helped to keep
membership costs down. In addition, the international aspects of the NRCC
require he be available 24/7.
This year the NRCC completed the revision of the Chemical Hygiene Officer
certification exam and the evaluation of the certification process. The
certification exam now reflects what a Chemical Hygiene Officer will encounter
on the job today including the Globally Harmonized System of Classification
and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).
Through the efforts of the Executive Officer, Russ Phifer, the NRCC travels to
more national meetings (ACS, AIChE, NAOSMM, AACC) giving the NRCC more
visibility and an increased interest by scientists in becoming certified.
The National Registry of Clinical Chemists was organized in 1987 and changed
its name to the more appropriate National Registry of Certified Chemists in
1999. The original purpose of the NRCC was to certify Clinical Chemists and
Clinical Chemistry Toxicologist. Certification for Toxicological Chemists came in
1987, followed by Chemical Hygiene Officers in 1987, Environmental Analytical
Chemists and Environmental Analytical Technicians in 1998.
The NRCC continues to be a high regarded and widely accepted certification
Program. Many states recognize NRCC certification as a part of the credentials
for licensure of certain laboratory personnel.
NRCC 125 Rose Ann Lane, West Grove, PA 19390-8946
610-322-0657 / 800-858-6273 Fax / [email protected]
NRCC NEWS
January 2015
National Registry of Certified Chemists
Volume 36
Congratulations and welcome aboard to all the new members. Congratulations
to everyone on a job well done!
Laurence Doemeny, Ph.D.
President, NRCC
New 2014 Certificate Holders
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Nandkishor Chindarkar
Robert Dixon
Jonathan Hart
Ayman Ibrahim
Lewis Jackson
Geeta Kala
Yungkang Lee
Lori Milner
Hanan Mohamad
Jeanne Rhea
Jody Rule
Manoj Tyagi
Shaiju Vareed
Yujing Wen
Donia Arthur
Nora Czar
Osamede Evbuomwan
Shanti Jonchhe
Rachel Layman
Sherman Lee
Adam Martin
Lisa Savage
Megan Utley
Debora Waxer
Mary Williams
Christine Wood
Cicy Jacob
EAC
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Jacob Kovoor
Victor Anbalagan
Bradley Baciak
Gilmer Cawich
Andrew Clark
William Draper
Antoinette Gaston
Phillip Gibbs
Yo-Chan Jeong
David Klein
Dayong Lee
Ken Lewis
Cecilia Melgar
Lisa Reidy
Shenu Sehgal
Lakshminiranjan Vanimreddy
Samantha Bishop
Sheila Comia
Voltaire De Leon
Elizabeth Gonzales
Albert Hsu
Sergey Latyshev
Wendy Man
Joyce Nickley
Stacy Ordonio
Glenn Parrent
NRCC 125 Rose Ann Lane, West Grove, PA 19390-8946
610-322-0657 / 800-858-6273 Fax / [email protected]
NRCC NEWS
January 2015
National Registry of Certified Chemists
Volume 36
Frequently Asked Questions
What is involved with getting my application approved?
Your application form must be completed, notarized and submitted. Yes, it can
be scanned and submitted electronically, or faxed. Once we have a completed
application and the application fee, a file is established for you and you’re
assigned a registration number.
Do I have to take the exam at one of the scheduled times and dates listed on
the website?
No! About 95% of applicants take the examination at approved testing
centers or with approved local proctors. Many colleges, universities, public
libraries, and commercial testing centers (such as Sylvan Learning Centers)
offer proctoring services. You may also use a local NRCC certificate holder or
Board of Director member as a proctor, and in some cases we have approved
supervisors or religious leaders. If you aren’t sure about the acceptability of a
proctor, just ask! In most cases all that is required is an email from the proctor
agreeing to administer the exam according to our procedures, along with a
mailing address and scheduled test date.
What is a passing score on the exam?
Based on standards established by the Board of Directors, which may change
periodically, the current passing grades are as follows: Chemical Hygiene
Officer, Clinical Chemist, Clinical Chemistry Technologist, Toxicological
Chemist, Toxicological Technician – 60% (90 of 150). Environmental Analytical
Chemist and Environmental Analytical Technician – 65% (98 of 150);
How is the Board of Directors elected, and what do they do?
The BOD consists of representatives nominated by the following organizations:
American Association for Clinical Chemistry, American Board of Clinical
Chemistry, American Chemical Society, and the American Industrial Hygiene
Association. Members are elected to three year terms, and can serve a
maximum of three terms. The Board members are responsible for establishing
and maintaining standards and qualifications for the granting, issuing and
renewing of certifications. They participate in the development of new tests
NRCC 125 Rose Ann Lane, West Grove, PA 19390-8946
610-322-0657 / 800-858-6273 Fax / [email protected]
NRCC NEWS
January 2015
National Registry of Certified Chemists
Volume 36
and programs, and all applications are evaluated by a credentials committee
consisting of three Board members. We are fortunate to have a dedicated,
productive Board who contribute considerable time to support NRCC.
Will you notify my state agency of my new certification if I need certification for my
licensing?
Yes, if you send an email request and provide the appropriate contact information.
There is no charge for this service.
NRCC 2015 (Subject to change) Test Dates & Locations
January 16
Natick, MA
January 22
Vanguard University, Costa Mesa, CA
February 12
Natick, MA
Mar 22
ACS, Denver, CO
Mar 20
Natick, MA
Apr 17
Natick, MA
May 7
Natick, MA
June 26
Natick, MA
July 10
Natick, MA
July 31
Natick, MA
Aug 16
ACS, Boston, MA
Oct 9
Natick, MA
Oct 30
Natick, MA
Dec 4
Natick, MA
Thank you to the Laboratory Safety Institute for hosting NRCC exams following their
CHO workshops.
Additional dates will be added as determined. Exams may also be scheduled with
local proctors. Contact the office for details.
Volunteers are always needed to write test questions! Let us know if you have a
good one in your field, and we’ll try it out in our next test version.
Don’t forget to renew your certification. Certificate holders are granted a one year
grace period beyond the normal three year certification period. If your last paid
certification year was 2012, you have until the end of 2015 to catch up.
NRCC 125 Rose Ann Lane, West Grove, PA 19390-8946
610-322-0657 / 800-858-6273 Fax / [email protected]
NRCC NEWS
January 2015
National Registry of Certified Chemists
Volume 36
EXPERIENCE STANDARDS
We are often asked why we require that experience in the specified certification
field must be in the past six years, and how experience is determined since there
are subtleties between several of the different certifications. Applicants frequently
change fields from clinical to toxicological, or analytical to clinical, etc., or return to
a previous field. We count on your professional references to respond to specific
questions regarding your experience, and the references are combined with your
professional resume to provide our credentials committee with enough information
to make an informed decision regarding your application. Keep in mind that a
strong application is usually a good sign that the applicant is able to pass the
examination on the first try! Before applying, carefully review the education and
experience requirements, and review the professional reference form before you
provide it to your colleagues for completion.
Sample Questions
(CHO) What is the secondary effect of a hydrofluoric acid burn?
A. Asthma
B. Gangrene
C. Malignant tumor
D. Nephritis
(CC) A solution prepared by dissolving 1 mol of solute in 1 kg of solvent would
have a concentration designated as:
A. 1 molar
B. 1 molal
C. 1 normal
D. 1% by volume
E. 1% by weight
(CCT) Both the parent drug and an active metabolite should be measured when
monitoring:
A. Theophylline
B. Procainamide
C. Phenytoin
D. Digoxin
E. Phenobarbital
(TT) Therapeutic serum lithium levels should be in the range of:
A. 2.0-4.0 mMol/L.
B. 0.6-1.5 mMol/L.
C. 3.0-5.0 mMol/L.
D. 1.8-31.1 mMol/l
(CC) The best parameter to compare precision between methods, analytes, etc., is:
A. Coefficient of Variation (CV)
NRCC 125 Rose Ann Lane, West Grove, PA 19390-8946
610-322-0657 / 800-858-6273 Fax / [email protected]
NRCC NEWS
January 2015
National Registry of Certified Chemists
Volume 36
B. Standard Deviation (SD)
C. Standard Deviation Index (SDI)
D. Correlation Coefficient
Please send your exam questions in! We are working on establishing an
annual prize for the certificate holder who provides the most valid
examination questions (please provide the answer as well).
NRCC 125 Rose Ann Lane, West Grove, PA 19390-8946
610-322-0657 / 800-858-6273 Fax / [email protected]