Clinical embryology in the United States: current landscape and considerations for professional development and standardization

Clinical embryologists play a central role in assisted reproductive technology (ART) laboratories and contribute directly to technical processes that influence treatment outcomes. As ART utilization and technological complexity increase, the responsibilities and scope of practice of clinical embryologists have expanded. Despite this role, clinical embryology in the United States lacks a nationally standardized educational pathway, competency framework, or profession-specific licensure model. This expert opinion reviews the current landscape of clinical embryology practice in the United States, including laboratory responsibilities, variability in training pathways, credentialing structures, and the use of laboratory performance indicators in competency assessment. The manuscript also summarizes international approaches to training and credentialing of clinical embryologists and discusses considerations that may inform discussions regarding professional development, workforce sustainability, and laboratory quality in the field.