(b) General professional education requirements for applicants applying for licensure as histological technicians.

1. (1) As used in this subdivision, acceptable accrediting agency shall mean an organization accepted by the department as a reliable authority for the purpose of accrediting histological technician programs, having accreditation standards that are substantially equivalent to the requirements for programs registered as leading to certification as a histological technician pursuant to section 52.41 of this Title, and applying its criteria for granting accreditation of programs in a fair, consistent, and nondiscriminatory manner.

2. (2) To meet the professional education requirement for admission to the examination for professional certification for histological technicians, the applicant shall present satisfactory evidence of:

   1. (i) holding an associate or higher degree awarded upon successful completion of an associate or higher degree program in histological technician registered as leading to certification as a histological technician pursuant to section 52.41 of this Title; or
   2. (ii) holding an associate or higher degree awarded upon successful completion of an associate or higher degree program in histological technician that is substantially equivalent to a program registered as leading to certification as a histological technician pursuant to section 52.41 of this Title as determined by the department, which program must be accredited by an acceptable accrediting agency or recognized by the appropriate civil authorities of the jurisdiction in which the program is offered as a program that prepares the applicant for professional practice as a histological technician.

(c) Time-limited professional education requirements for applicants applying for licensure as a histological technician prior to September 1, 2013.

1. (1) As used in this subdivision, acceptable accrediting agency shall mean an organization accepted by the department as a reliable authority for the purpose of accrediting histological technician programs on a national or regional basis, as having reasonable accreditation standards, and as an organization that applies its criteria for granting accreditation of programs in a fair, consistent, and nondiscriminatory manner.

2. (2) To meet the professional education requirement for admission to the examination for professional certification for histological technicians, applicants who apply for licensure prior to September 1, 2013 may, as an alternative to satisfying the requirements of subdivision (b) of this section, present satisfactory evidence of holding an associate or higher degree awarded upon successful completion of an associate or higher degree program in histological technician or a related title which:

   1. (i) prepares graduates for employment as a histological technician, as defined in Education Law, section 8601(2)(d);
   2. (ii) contains didactic and clinical education that integrates pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical components of laboratory services, including the principles and practices of quality assurance/quality improvement, and which is designed and conducted to prepare graduates to practice as histological technicians under the supervision of a laboratory supervisor designated by a director of a clinical laboratory, or under the supervision of the director of the clinical laboratory; and
   3. (iii) is registered by the department for general educational purposes but need not be specifically registered for licensure purposes, or is accredited by an acceptable accrediting agency, or is recognized by appropriate civil authorities of the jurisdiction in which the program is offered as a program that prepares the applicant for professional practice as a histological technician.