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Accreditation Council for Clinical Lipidology

The Accreditation Council for Clinical Lipidology is an independent certifying organization that has developed standards and examinations in the field of Clinical Lipidology for the growing number of allied health, primary care and paraprofessionals who are involved in lipid management.

Certification by the ACCL demonstrates your professional commitment to the prevention of cardiovascular disease and documents your expertise in lipid management for patients, professionals, and colleagues.

Clinical Lipid Specialist
(CLS) Exam

Basic Competency in Clinical Lipidology (BCCL) Exam

The CLS advanced certification program is open to allied health professionals involved in research and treatment of lipid disorders.

Open to anyone involved broadly in the field of lipidology and lipid management. Benchmark your professional competency in the field of clinical lipidology and sharpen your skills.

  • Those who desire a step before the full board exam (either ABCL or CLS)
  • Those who do not meet the criteria to sit for the full board exam
  • Those who wish to gain a better understanding of clinical lipidology

Eligibility for CLS Applicants
To become credentialed, candidates must meet the Basic Eligibility Criteria, and the Training Requirements for their particular profession, which require applicants to demonstrate that they have earned 200 credit hour equivalents or "points" to qualify for the examination. Although rigorous, the requirements have been designed to provide any advanced healthcare provider with demonstrated knowledge and experience in Lipidology an avenue to become certified as a Clinical Lipid Specialist. Read More

Eligibility for BCCL Applicants
Applicants must have achieved a minimum of 10 continuing education credit hours in clinical lipidology in the previous 2 calendar years. This requirement has been established to ensure that the applicant has a basic understanding of lipids.
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Examination Information
The subject content of the CLS examination reflects the knowledge, skills, and attitudes deemed essential for the competent practice of lipidology. The examination has been constructed at the upper level of difficulty and consists of approximately 200 multiple-choice questions. You will have 4 hours to complete the exam. The content focuses on the approved Core Curriculum in Clinical Lipidology: Read More

Examination Information
The BCCL exam was created at the intermediate level of difficulty and consists of between 50-75 multiple-choice questions. You will have 2 hours to complete the exam.
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Fees
The total examination fee is $495. Read More

Fees
The total examination fee is $295. Read More

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Examination Dates

The CLS Exam will be offered electronically in testing centers throughout the US during the following dates:

Application Processing
The BCCL examination is offered electronically at testing centers across the US and Canada year-round. There is no application deadline. Please submit your application at least 3-4 weeks before you plan to sit for the examination.

CLS Exam Deadlines

 
New in 2010
Exam to be Offered Online in Testing Centers throughout US and Canada
2010 Fall Examinations:
Fall Testing Window September 20–October 29, 2010
(Application Deadline: September 10, 2010)
New in 2011
2011 Examinations:
Spring Testing Window April 18 – June 3, 2011
(Application Deadline: April 1, 2011)
   
Summer Testing Window July 5 – August 19, 2011
(Application Deadline: June 13, 2011)
   
Fall Testing Window October 10 – November 25, 2011
(Application Deadline: September 16, 2011)
Computer-Based Information

Upon Approval of your exam application which may take up to 4 weeks, you will be notified via e-mail of how
to create a test taker account, find a testing center in your community, and make an examination appointment.