There are separate eligibility requirements for the Clinical Lipid Specialist exam, which is intended for licensed allied health professionals, and the Basic Competency in Clinical Lipidology exam, which is open to a broader range of health professionals and paraprofessionals involved in dyslipidemia management.For detailed eligibility requirements for the examinations click here:
Basic Competency in Clinical Lipidology, Clinical Lipid Specialist

The credentialing committee of the ACCL Board of Governors determines whether or not participants have met the credentialing requirements:

1. Applications received in office.
2. Staff will perform perfunctory analysis based on submission
3. Any questions shall be presented to the ACCL Credentialing Committee for review
4. The Committee will review application and determine acceptance/rejection of applicant
5. If rejected, an applicant can appeal the ACCL Credentialing Committee's decision. An approved appeal allows the applicant to take the next scheduled examination.
6. Once you submit your application please allow up to 2 weeks for processing. Upon approval of your application, you will receive an email providing instructions regarding selecting your exam date and location.

Since June 2007, more than 150 allied health professionals have achieved certification in Clinical Lipidology. You can find a list of certified Clinical Lipid Specialists at Find a Clinical Lipid Specialist.

Many Diplomates say it is one of the more rigorous exams they have taken. The pass rate ranges from 80–85%.

Your certification is valid for 10 years. To maintain certification, complete one of the following:

• Retake the exam prior to expiration of the last certification
• Demonstrate 100 hours of continuing education completed in the 5 years prior to expiration of certification

Continuing Education:
The National Lipid Association (NLA) offers a lifelong learning program that paves the way for professional development and recognition of the distinct and specialized knowledge required of clinical lipidologists. Lipidology is an evolving field that requires clinicians to stay abreast of the latest clinical research and treatment guidelines and to apply this knowledge in practice. The NLA strives has developed educational activities at all levels of competency and provides continuous clinical updates, opportunities for self-assessment and practice improvement.

For the Clinical Lipid Specialist "CLS" Exam:
The ACCL recommends that those professionals preparing for the Clinical Lipid Specialist exam complete the National Lipid Association Self-Assessment Program (NLA-SAP), Volumes 1, 2, and 3. The NLA also offers two training courses, one intermediate—the Lipid Management Training Course (LMTC), and one advanced, the Masters in Lipidology course, that will help prepare you for certification. For those with significant experience in lipid management, the Masters in Lipidology advanced course would be suitable preparation for the CLS exam. For those who are newer to the field, participation first in the LMTC and then the Masters course would be suggested. The CE credit hours earned from participating in these activities will help you to meet the CLS credentialing criteria.

Please visit www.lipid.org/education to find out more information about these continuing education activities.

For the BCCL "Basic Competency" Exam:
The ACCL recommends that those professionals preparing for the Basic Competency (BCCL) exam complete intermediate level training in dyslipidemia management. To best prepare you for this certifying exam, the ACCL recommends that you participate in the NLA Lipid Management Training Course (or similar) and/or the National Lipid Association Self-Assessment Program (NLA–SAP), Volume 1. The CE credit hours earned from participating in these activities will enable you to meet the BCCL credentialing criteria.

Please visit www.lipid.org/education to find out more information about these continuing education activities.

Core Curriculum in Clinical Lipidology:
This curriculum identifies and defines areas of knowledge important to the delivery of quality care and serves as a basis for the content of the certification examinations in Clinical Lipidology. The core curriculum is comprised of the information deemed as the most relevant clinical information for a practicing lipid specialist. The Core Curriculum is available at Resources.

Textbooks:
There are a number of excellent textbooks in clinical Lipidology. A list is provided on www.lipid.org on the "Bookshelf" page (found at www.lipid.org/bookshelf). Many of these textbooks, such as Therapeutic Lipidology, are available to NLA members at a significant discount off the publisher's price.

Clinical Lipid Specialist (CLS) Examination
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:

• Metabolism of lipids and lipoproteins and the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis
• Genetics, diagnosis, and management of dyslipidemias and the metabolic syndrome
• CV risk assessment
• Pharmacology, safety and efficacy of lipid-altering drugs
• Fundamentals of non-pharmacologic therapy: nutrition, exercise, and behavior and compliance

CLS Exam Fees

* A one-time $120 nonrefundable application fee is incurred upon receipt of the application by the ACCL, regardless of eligibility outcome.

"Basic Competency in Clinical Lipidology" (BCCL) Examination
The BCCL exam was created at the intermediate level of difficulty and consists of 50-60 multiple choice questions. You will have up to 2 hours to complete the BCCL examination is offered electronically at testing centers across the US and Canada year-round

BCCL Exam Fees

* A one-time $120 nonrefundable application fee is incurred upon receipt of the application by the ACCL, regardless of eligibility outcome.

Computerized Testing Information
The CLS & BCCL exams are administered by computer through Kryterion Testing Centers. Exam candidates approved to take the exam are given a scheduling permit by way of an email which enables them to schedule their testing appointment at a Kryterion testing location, date and time of their choice. Exam dates and times are dependent on each Kryterion facility's hours of operation. Once you have selected your Kryterion host location, the date and the time of the exam is dependent upon the availability of that specific location. You must select your Kryterion host location within 48 hours prior to taking the exam.

To see all available HOST locations please click here

Unless special accommodations, requested under the Americans with Disabilities Act, have been arranged you will have an allotted time (4 hours for the CLS exam and 2 hours for the BCCL exam) to complete the exam.

Q 8: What if I must reschedule my exam date?

Please make every effort to notify the office regarding your difficulty. You may reschedule your exam date with the testing facility if this is completed with 72 hours of the previously scheduled exam. If you are unable to reschedule at least 72 hours ahead of your exam, you will forfeit your exam fee. The credentialing fee of ($120–CLS exam; $95-BCCL exam) is a non–refundable one–time fee that is

Generally we will have score reports to participants 6–8 weeks from the date of examination. Exam results are confidential and will only be released in writing to the registered examinee.

The ACCL examinations may be taken up to 3 times upon filing a new application and paying the re-examination fee each time. If a candidate fails three examinations, eligibility is withheld for a period of two years. CLS retake fee is $250 and the BCCL fee is $200.

The American Board of Clinical Lipidology (ABCL) offers a certification pathway for physicians working in or specializing in clinical lipid management. Visit www.lipidboard.org for complete details. Also, primary care physicians may take the BCCL examination as a stepping stone before sitting for the ABCL exam.

Clinical Lipid Specialist Exam
Candidates who successfully pass the Clinical Lipid Specialist exam will earn the designation "Clinical Lipid Specialist." This credential may be abbreviated and used in the signature of professionals as follows:

Approved Designation: John Smith, PharmD, CLS
Or, this credential may be stated as "Diplomate, Accreditation Council for Clinical Lipidology"

There may also be limitations imposed by your state or professional licensure board.

Basic Competency in Clinical Lipidology (BCCL) Exam
Candidates who successfully pass the BCCL exam will earn the designation "Basic Competency in Clinical Lipidology." However, this designation is not authorized to be used as the abbreviated credential of "BCCL" in a signature line. Please see below for approved designation wording.

Not approved: John Smith, PhD, BCCL

Approved Designation: John Smith, PhD
"Certified by the Accreditation Council for Clinical Lipidology to have passed the Basic Competency in Clinical Lipidology Examination."

There may also be limitations imposed by your state or professional licensure board.

Official designation logos are provided by the ACCL for use by Diplomates on letterhead, signage, business cards, etc.