The medical diagnosis we see doctors perform are not just assumptions based on the patient's symptoms. Instead, these are well-researched conclusions they reach in collaboration with a certified MLS who has a Medical Laboratory Scientist certification mostly by ASCP.

MLS, Medical Laboratory Scientist is a highly skilled and certified professional responsible for conducting a diverse range of complex analytical tests. Their primary role is to work with physicians to diagnose and address patients' health conditions. Moreover, MLS may also be known by other titles such as Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) or Medical Technologist (MT).

This article explores the importance of Medical Laboratory Scientist ASCP Certification, delving into what it is and the difference between MLS ASCP vs. the International MLS ASCPi. It will also discuss the eligibility criteria, along with a comprehensive study guide.

Medical Laboratory Scientist Certification MLS ASCP MLSIA

What is MLS Certification by ASCP?

ASCP refers to the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). MLS is a certification offered by the ASCP's Board of Certificates (BOC).

So, MLS ASCP certification refers to a Medical Laboratory Scientist who has successfully been certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and Board of Certification (BOC). To obtain this certification, the aspirants must successfully pass the exam scoring a minimum of 400 out of 999.

Medical Laboratory Scientist ASCP vs. ASCPi

The ASCP BOC offers two credentials for Medical Laboratory Scientists worldwide. One is MLS ASCP for U.S. citizens with a degree from the U.S. The second is MLS ASCPi for international professionals who got their degrees from institutions based outside of the U.S.

Medical Laboratory Scientist ASCPi candidates must undergo an evaluation of their certificate(s) by a USA evaluation agency approved by ASCP BOC, as they do not possess a U.S. degree.

There are a few differences in the eligibility requirements, but except for that, both certifications share identical curricula and syllabi. This ensures uniformity in the examination content and the evaluation that grants this certification.

Moreover, both MLS certification exams utilize both conventional and S.I. units to ensure consistency and standardization in the field of medical laboratory science.

ASCP Requirements For Medical Laboratory Scientist Certification

You must determine your eligibility before registering for either the MLS ASCP certification or the international ML ASCPi exam. Ensuring you meet the requirements beforehand will streamline the application process and enable you to proceed confidently toward your desired certification.

We have outlined a step-by-step assessment you can perform to find out whether you meet the MLS certification requirements outlined by the ASCP.

Examination Eligibility Assistant by ASCP

To help aspirants assess if they are eligible to apply for the ASCP, they have formulated an interactive questionnaire. Accept the terms and conditions agreement and hit begin to start the test. The questionnaire is divided into three parts.

Part 1 is mainly just selecting the program; in your case, the selection will be ASCP MLS. Part 2 will consist primarily of questions relating to your education and experience.

The system will assess your responses once you submit the information in part 2 of the questionnaire. On the basis of that, they will recommend the specific Route eligibility requirements you meet for the MLS (Medical Laboratory Scientist) examination.

This customized recommendation will help determine the appropriate route for you to pursue in the certification process based on your qualifications and background. For more details, you can check out our website.

Routes of MLS Certification by ASCP

Let’s look into the different routes offered by ASCP.

	MLS ASCP Requirements	MLS ASCPi Requirements
Route 1	Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university. Completion of NAACLS's MLS program within the last five years.	Bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science, biological science, or chemistry. Completion of an accredited Medical Laboratory Science training program.
Route 2	Valid MLT certificate from ASCP. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university. 16 hours in biology (including microbiology). 16 hours in chemistry (including biochemistry/organic chemistry). Two years of recent clinical experience in an acceptable lab.	Bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science from an accredited college/university. Three years of clinical experience in an acceptable lab. Experience in chemistry, hematology, blood banking (immunohematology), and microbiology is mandatory.
Route 3	Discontinued since 1 January 2023.	Bachelor's degree from a registered/accredited college/university. Completed a two-year Medical Laboratory Science program. Training must cover chemistry, blood banking (immunohematology), hematology, and microbiology.
Route 4	Bachelor's degree from a registered/accredited college/university. 16 semester hours in biology. 16 semester hours in chemistry. 5 years of clinical experience in an acceptable lab within the last 10 years.	Bachelor's degree in biological science or chemistry from an accredited college/university. Five years of clinical experience in an acceptable lab, including chemistry, hematology, blood banking (immunohematology), and microbiology, is mandatory.
Route 5	MLS ASCPi certificate required. U.S. Bachelor's degree equivalency. 5 years of recent clinical experience in an acceptable lab within the last 10 years.	Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university. Completed a 2-year diploma in biological science or chemistry from a registered college/university. 5 years clinical experience in an acceptable lab, including chemistry, hematology, blood banking, and microbiology, is mandatory.
Route 6	50-week U.S. military medical laboratory training (within 10 years). Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university. 16 semester hours in biology and 16 semester hours in chemistry. One year of clinical experience in an acceptable lab (within 10 years)

Credit: ASCP BOC

ASCP Study Guide for Medical Laboratory Scientist Certification

The ASCP study guide for the MLS certification can help you attain favorable results in your exam. The study guide provides you with clarity about each and every division.

For instance, in Blood Bank that entails to about 17-22% of the overall text. In this you will study blood group systems, crossmatch DAT, antibody screen and identification, etc.

Similarly, in chemistry that is about the same percentage i.e about 17-22%, you will study carbohydrates, electrolytes, acid bases, etc.

Hematology also covers a substantial chunk of the exam by covering about 17-22% of the topics, along with microbiology that is about the same percentage.

The study guide will help you understand what each course entails and how you can achieve your goal without burdening yourself.

Preparation for Medical Laboratory Scientist ASCP Certification

Medical Laboratory Scientist Certification MLS ASCP ASCPi by MLSIACADEMY

An ASCP exam holds a lot of importance. Once through, it opens up many doors for people in their careers. Achieving a passing score on these exams can be accomplished through a straightforward approach.

This approach includes grasping the exam structure, dedicating time to study effectively, prioritizing self-care during preparation, and being well-prepared for what to expect on the test day.

To prepare for the exam, it is better to register for the course prep online; this will save you from the hassle of buying test prep material separately. In short, it will serve as a one-stop solution.

Certification Exam of Medical Laboratory Scientist ASCP

The ASCP exam use Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT). The exams typically consist of 100 multiple-choice questions of varying topics. It's important to demonstrate knowledge, appropriate judgment, and application skills.

Read questions and directions carefully. Review and change answers if needed within the 2.5-hour time frame, with the passing score being 444 out of 999 points.

Practice Test for Medical Laboratory Scientist ASCP Certification

It is highly recommended to take the MIL certification practice test before the actual exam. The mock exam allows you to familiarize yourself with the test format, question types, and difficulty level, basically gives you an idea of what to expect on exam day.

By taking the practice test, you can pinpoint exact areas where you need improvement. This helps you focus your preparation more effectively. Online practice tests are readily available on several platforms, but one crucial practice one must follow is to time yourself while attempting them, as time management is extremely important during the actual exam.

One plus point of registering for the ASCP MLS certification prep course is that they include practice tests that closely simulate the real exam conditions.

These tests don’t just test your knowledge, but also prepare you for the needed readiness, and test-taking skills, ultimately boosting your confidence and reducing exam anxiety.

How to Get MLS ASCP Certification?

To become a certified MLS by ASCP/ASCPi, the first step is understanding the eligibility criteria set by the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

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Check Qualification

Generally, candidates must have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university, they also must have completed coursework in biology, chemistry, and gained substantial clinical laboratory experience. It is mandatory that international applicants should assess the equivalency of their non-US degrees.

There is an online questionnaire available on the ASCP website that can check your eligibility just by answering a series of questions.

Find A study Material

As for the for the certification exam, candidates should gather study materials, explore textbooks, online resources, and study guides recommended by the BOC. We also cover the essential reading list in this post. It is crucial that the aspirants review key subjects such as Clinical Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, etc., and take practice exams to evaluate their progress.

Apply for The MLS Exam

Once eligible and well-prepared, individuals can apply for the ASCP certification exam through the official ASCP website. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Pass the Exam

You need a minimum score of 400 to become MLS ASCP or ASCPi (for international candidates) certified. And voila! You are a certified medical laboratory scientist by the ASCP!

MLS ASCP Certification Renewal

According to the rules and regulation it is mandatory to get the Medical Laboratory Scientist ASCP certification renewed every 3 years. This helps keeping the field of medical lab sciences up to date with the contemporary world and the advancements that come through.

If you look at it, it is also a remarkable way to maintain high standards in the field and make sure the Medical Laboratory scientists keep in touch with their field and constantly work towards thriving towards self-improvement and eventually for the development of the field.

MLS ASCP Certification Verification

The ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) does primary source verification for all your credentials. This is a crucial step as it helps with authenticating your certification. This is a small step one can take to validate their hard work.

The verification process is pretty straightforward, all you need is to go through the ASCP website and placing an order. Your credentials will be verified immediate feedback through their online platform.

The result of the credential status generally include the category, credential number and the certification validation period.

FAQ For Medical Laboratory Scientist Certification – MLS (ASCP/ASCPi)

What is a good ASCP score?

The passing score is 444 out of 999, so aim to score above that for a good score!

Can I retake the ASCP exam if I don't pass the first time?

Failing to pass the exam after five attempts results in loss of eligibility for that specific exam unless the candidate qualifies for an alternate eligibility route, if there is one.

How many questions are there in most ASCP exams?

Most ASCP exams consist of 100 MCQs, with varying point values based on difficulty.

Elshawadfy Abdelhalim, PhD, MLS(ASCP), SM, MB

Abdelhalim Elshawadfy is an ASCP certified Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS ASCP), Specialist in Microbiology (SM ASCP), and Molecular Biology Technologist (MB ASCP) with a distinguished career marked by expertise, continuous learning, and a commitment to elevating the standards of clinical laboratory science. As an ASCP Certification Expert and American Board Certification Expert, Abdelhalim Elshawadfy continues to make invaluable contributions to the field, leaving a lasting impact on the medical community.

Medical Laboratory Scientist Certification by ASCP – MLS (ASCP/ASCPi)