Developing interpretation skills
Give analysts a structured foundation for evidence evaluation, variant characterization, classification, and reporting.
Variant Analyst Certification Program
Develop confident, credentialed variant analysts.
Scenario-based training, assessment, and certification designed to develop practical variant interpretation expertise aligned with established clinical interpretation guidelines .
Developing interpretation expertise takes more than experience alone.
Demonstrating competency
Use scenario-based assessment to demonstrate that analysts can apply what they’ve learned.
Building internal expertise
Create a structured pathway for laboratories developing their own variant interpretation capability.
What participants say
It streamlines the variant curation process, taking complex workflows and breaking them down into highly manageable steps… [and] provides in-depth insights that you can immediately apply to your work.
The outcome
What success looks like.
- Build practical variant interpretation expertise
- Develop a structured approach to variant review
- Demonstrate applied interpretation competency
- Earn a verified individual credential
Program levels
A progressive pathway to interpretation expertise.
Level 1Available now
Foundation
Foundational knowledge, variant characterization, and filtering.
Level 2Available now
Classification
Disease characterization and variant classification standards.
Level 3In development
Interpretation & Case Work
Advanced interpretation and applied case work .
Assessment and credential
Demonstrate what you’ve learned.
Applied assessment
A proctored, scenario-based assessment evaluates how analysts apply each level’s content. Each exam runs 60 minutes .
Verified credential
Passing earns the analyst a verified digital badge through Credly. The credential belongs to the analyst, not the laboratory .
Flexible delivery
The program is fully online and self-paced .
Certification complements, but does not replace, the case supervision and competency records laboratories maintain for accreditation .
Part of Clinical Operations
Build expertise internally. Add capacity when you need it.
The Variant Analyst Certification Program helps laboratories develop internal interpretation expertise. PierianDx Interpretation Services can provide additional interpretation capacity when needed.
Ready to develop your team’s interpretation expertise?
Explore the certification pathway and find the level that aligns with your analysts’ experience and development goals.
FAQ
Questions about the certification program
Who is the program designed for?
The program is designed for analysts who want to build or demonstrate variant interpretation expertise, from those developing their skills to experienced analysts seeking structured development and a verified credential.
Which certification levels are available?
Levels 1 and 2 are available now. Level 1 builds foundational knowledge in variant characterization and filtering, while Level 2 focuses on disease characterization and variant classification standards. Level 3, Interpretation & Case Work, is in development .
How are participants assessed?
Participants complete a proctored, scenario-based assessment designed to evaluate how they apply the concepts covered in each level .
What credential do participants receive?
After successfully completing a level’s assessment, the analyst earns a verified digital badge through Credly. The credential is awarded to the individual analyst, not the laboratory .
Is the program self-paced?
Yes. The program is delivered online and is self-paced .
Does certification replace laboratory competency requirements?
No. The program provides structured training, assessment, and an individual credential, but it does not replace the laboratory’s own competency requirements or accreditation responsibilities .