Continuing clinical chemistry education in the United States.

Governmental licensing agencies, professional certifying organizations, and healthcare institutions are establishing increasingly comprehensive requirements for formal continuing education in all branches of medicine, including clinical chemistry. Administrative procedures have been developed to accredit continuing education programs, and documentation of participation is frequently required for renewal of state licenses, reappointment to hospital staffs, and recertification by medical specialty boards. The rapid development of science and technology in clinical chemistry makes effective continuing education a mandatory objective both for the individual clinical chemist and for the profession.