- A CC is the Board Certification in Clinical Chemistry, administered by the American Board of Clinical Chemistry.
- The exam has two parts: Part A (30 questions, calculations) and Part B (140 questions, analytical/clinical).
- Total fees run $900 when both parts are taken: a $500 application plus $200 per part.
- Candidates get two attempts per part within a three-year eligibility window.
What Is A CC, Exactly?
When people ask "what is a CC" in the context of laboratory medicine, they're asking about Board Certification in Clinical Chemistry - a credential administered by the American Board of Clinical Chemistry (ABCC) through Kryterion testing centers. It's the professional benchmark that distinguishes candidates who have proven doctoral-level competence in clinical chemistry, from analytical methodology to case interpretation.
This is not a generic lab technician certificate, and it shouldn't be confused with any other credential that happens to share the same two-letter abbreviation. If you land on this page looking for a broader introduction, our companion pieces What Is CC?, CC Meaning, and What Does CC Stand For? all point back to this same specific credential and can help orient newcomers before they dive into exam mechanics.
Who Hires CC-Certified Professionals
Employers seeking a DABCC credential are typically clinical and hospital laboratories, reference laboratories, in-vitro diagnostics companies, and academic medical centers that need someone capable of directing or overseeing high-complexity testing operations. Directors, technical supervisors, and senior clinical chemists are the roles most commonly tied to this certification.
Because the credential signals doctoral-level mastery of clinical chemistry - not just technical proficiency - it tends to open doors to supervisory and consultative positions rather than entry-level bench work. If you're weighing whether pursuing this path fits your career goals, our detailed breakdown in CC Salary Guide 2026: Complete Earnings Analysis and the broader analysis in Is the CC Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026 can help you think through the return on the time and money invested.
Exam Format: Part A and Part B
The CC exam is split into two distinct parts, and understanding their structure is essential before you register.
Part A - Calculations and Problem Solving
Thirty five-option multiple-choice questions administered in three hours. This section tests quantitative reasoning: dilution math, enzyme kinetics calculations, unit conversions, and statistical problem-solving applied to real laboratory scenarios.
- Shorter but calculation-heavy - pacing per question matters more than raw content breadth
Part B - Analytical and Clinical Issues
One hundred forty five-option multiple-choice questions in three and one-half hours. This is the larger, broader section, covering the bulk of the seven knowledge domains, from instrumentation to molecular genetics.
- Carries 140 of the 170 total questions across both parts, making it the dominant scoring component
Since February 2026, both parts are delivered in person at Kryterion testing centers, and there are no prescheduled breaks during either section - a logistical detail worth planning around on exam day. For a full walkthrough of scheduling logistics, see CC Exam Dates 2026: Testing Windows, Deadlines & Scheduling.
Key Takeaway
Because Part B contains 140 of the 170 total questions, most of your study time should map to Part B's content, even though Part A's calculations require distinct, focused practice.
The Seven Knowledge Domains
The CC exam framework rests on seven official knowledge areas. These domains span both parts of the exam, though they weight more heavily toward Part B given its larger question count.
Domain 1: Clinical Chemistry Interpretation and Problem Solving
Applying core biochemical and physiological knowledge to interpret laboratory results in context.
Domain 2: Clinical Case Approach
Working through patient-scenario style questions that require integrating multiple data points into a diagnostic or management conclusion.
Domain 3: Analytical, Instrumentation, and Methodology
Understanding assay principles, instrumentation design, method validation, and sources of analytical error.
Domain 4: Statistical Analysis and Mathematics
The mathematical backbone tested heavily in Part A, including reference interval statistics and quality-control calculations.
Domain 5: Toxicology
Drug monitoring, toxic exposure interpretation, and analytical approaches to toxicological testing.
Domain 6: Regulatory, Management, and Quality Assurance
Laboratory regulatory frameworks, quality management systems, and administrative oversight responsibilities.
Domain 7: Molecular and Genetics
Molecular diagnostic techniques and genetic testing principles as applied within clinical chemistry practice.
For a domain-by-domain study plan with more depth on each area, our guide CC Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 7 Content Areas breaks down where to concentrate your review hours.
Eligibility and Registration Mechanics
Standard eligibility for the CC exam requires:
- An accepted doctoral degree
- At least 30 semester hours of qualifying coursework
- Five years of postdoctoral professional experience in an approved clinical-laboratory setting
- Three professional references
Candidates who complete an accredited fellowship or qualify through an alternate-board pathway may shorten the required experience timeline. Once approved, candidates enter a three-year eligibility period during which both parts must be passed, with a maximum of two attempts allowed per part. For the full eligibility breakdown, including documentation requirements, see CC Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify.
Fees and Retake Rules
| Fee Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee (nonrefundable) | $500 |
| Part A examination fee | $200 |
| Part B examination fee | $200 |
| Total when both parts taken | $900 |
| DABCC renewal (every two years) | $350 + 50 CE hours |
The application fee is nonrefundable regardless of outcome, so it pays to confirm your eligibility documentation before submitting. Each part is billed separately at $200, meaning the $900 total only applies if you're sitting for both parts in the same eligibility cycle. A full cost breakdown, including scenarios for retakes, is available in CC Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown.
Pass Rates and What They Mean
Published average cumulative five-year pass rates sit at 53% for Part A and 55% for Part B. These figures reflect cumulative outcomes across the allowed attempts, not necessarily first-sitting success - which underscores why the difficulty of this exam shouldn't be underestimated.
For candidates trying to gauge how much preparation time to budget, our analysis in CC Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows and How Hard Is the CC Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026 dig deeper into what these numbers imply for study planning. It's also worth understanding exactly what score threshold you're aiming for - see CC Passing Score 2026: Exactly What You Need to Pass for specifics.
Maintaining DABCC Status
Passing both parts earns you Diplomate status (DABCC), but the credential isn't a one-time achievement. Active status requires 50 continuing-education contact hours and a $350 renewal fee every two years. Building a habit of tracking CE hours early - rather than scrambling near a renewal deadline - keeps the credential in good standing without last-minute stress.
A Realistic Prep Timeline
Generic study techniques like spaced repetition or timed practice blocks are useful, but only when mapped onto CC-specific content. Because Part B carries the majority of questions, most candidates find it efficient to front-load the domains with the broadest content - Clinical Chemistry Interpretation and Problem Solving, and Analytical, Instrumentation, and Methodology - before narrowing into calculation-heavy Part A prep closer to the test date.
Foundational Domains
- Domain 1: Clinical Chemistry Interpretation and Problem Solving
- Domain 3: Analytical, Instrumentation, and Methodology
Case Reasoning and Specialty Topics
- Domain 2: Clinical Case Approach
- Domain 5: Toxicology
- Domain 7: Molecular and Genetics
Regulatory and Statistics
- Domain 6: Regulatory, Management, and Quality Assurance
- Domain 4: Statistical Analysis and Mathematics
Part A Calculation Drills and Timed Review
- Practice full-length timed sets on our practice test platform
- Review weak domains identified during earlier weeks
For a structured week-by-week study system built specifically around these domains, see CC Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt. A condensed one-page reference of must-know facts is also available in CC Cheat Sheet 2026: One-Page Review of Must-Know Facts, which many candidates use for final-week review.
Running through realistic question sets on our practice exam site before test day helps you internalize the pacing demands of a 140-question, three-and-a-half-hour Part B session - since there are no prescheduled breaks, stamina and pacing matter as much as content knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's Board Certification in Clinical Chemistry, awarded by the American Board of Clinical Chemistry after a candidate passes both parts of the CC examination, resulting in DABCC (Diplomate) status.
Each part - A or B - may be attempted no more than twice, and both parts must be passed within a three-year eligibility period.
The nonrefundable application fee is $500, plus $200 per exam part, totaling $900 if both parts are taken in the same cycle.
Since February 2026, the exam is delivered in person at Kryterion testing centers, with no prescheduled breaks during either part.
You earn active DABCC status, which must be maintained with 50 continuing-education contact hours and a $350 renewal fee every two years.