Become a Member

Benefits of becoming a Member of the CCM

  • Certification as a professional Microbiologist. This is a valuable professional recognition to both microbiologists and their employers as it attests that the Microbiologist has achieved a level of training and experience to be certified in the field.
  • Support for maintaining proficiency in microbiology. To maintain certification, Microbiologists must participate in a continuing education program recognized by earning credits through the College.
  • Involvement in promoting the discipline of microbiology though both personal growth as well as having an enhanced potential for training new microbiologists.
  • Involvement in the administration of the College by serving on committees and other functions.

A candidate that has met the educational and experience requirements is eligible to progress to CCM certifications in the Registered Microbiologist and Specialist Microbiologist categories. Candidates for the FCCM certification must contact Dr. Heather Adam, the chair of the FCCM committee, for a preliminary evaluation.

Registered Microbiologist (RMCCM)

The following routes are available to achieve this certification:

a) Graduates from a Canadian University with a BSc degree in Microbiology or closely related field which must include 30 credits of university level courses in Microbiology (where 1 credit =15 hours per semester), who have an additional 2 years of microbiology experience consisting of either documented work experience or advanced study in microbiology are eligible for certification.

b) Graduates from a Canadian University with a BSc degree in a field related field to Microbiology which must include 15 credits of university level courses in Microbiology (where 1 credit =15 hours per semester), who have an additional 5 years of microbiology experience consisting of either documented work experience or advanced study in microbiology are eligible for certification.

c) Graduates from a Canadian university with BSc degree that have accumulated less than 15 credits of university level courses in microbiology must write the RMCCM examination.

d) Graduates from universities outside of Canada, who are resident in Canada, with a BSc degree or advanced degree or equivalent in Microbiology, must write the RMCCM examination. These candidates must have their transcripts assessed by the International Credential Evaluation Services (ICES) or World Education Services, Canada (WES) at their own expense prior to being approved to take the examination. Credential reviews must be on a course by course basis, so that the individual credit hours can be determined accurately.  

To apply for certification as a Registered Microbiologist, please complete the application form. The application fee is non-refundable and includes membership until December 31st if the application is successful.

https://www.ccm.ca/membership-registration/registered-microbiologist-rmccm-membership-registration/

Candidates who are required to write the exam must pass within three attempts in 2 years, following which a new application fee must be submitted. Application fees are not refundable if applicants do not meet the educational and other requirements to be candidates for certification.

Specialist Microbiologist (SCCM)

Candidates certified as RMCCM may pursue further certification in the category of Specialist. To qualify for a specialist certification the candidate must have accumulated at least 150 continuing education credits over the past 5 consecutive years and must have had the following microbiology experience: If the highest degree was a B.Sc., 9 years of experience. If the highest degree was an M.Sc., 8 years of experience.  If the highest degree was a Doctoral degree, 6 years of experience. The candidate must pass a Specialist Microbiologist examination in the respective category (MLS, ENV or COM) to be awarded this certification.

To apply for SCCM certification, please complete the application form. The application fee is non-refundable and includes membership until December 31st if the application is successful.

https://www.ccm.ca/membership-registration/specialist-microbiologist-sccm-membership-registration/

Candidates who are required to write the exam must pass within three attempts in 2 years, following which a new application fee must be submitted. Application fees are not refundable if applicants do not meet the educational and other requirements to be candidates for certification.

Fellow in Clinical Microbiology (FCCM)

Information on FCCM certification can be found here.

Academic Research Microbiologist (ARMCCM)

This certification of ARMCCM is conferred on microbiologists in acknowledgement of widely recognized excellence in the field. The contributions of the candidate are subjected to rigorous evaluation by the ARMCCM committee and the Board of Directors.

It is strongly recommended that candidates be nominated for the ARMCCM certification by a member of the CCM. Candidates must complete the application form and submit it together with their academic curriculum vitae and the registration fee to the Registrar.  To access the guidelines for application and  the application forms, please click the CERTIFICATIONS section on the home page and the field ARMCCM.