MLS ASCP/ ASCPi Requirements for US and International Certification

Medical laboratory scientist (MLS ASCP) requirements for certification are the prerequisites determined the Board of Certification (BOC) of The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).

Such requirements are determined by the BOC to prequalify candidates to apply for the MLS (ASCP/ ASCPi) certification exam.

ASCP is the world’s most renowned organization focusing on education, awareness and certification about the basic tasks regarding medical lab professionals.

It consistently publishes books, medical journals and other manuals including two peer reviewed medical journals, the American Society for Clinical Pathology journal and the labmedicine journal.

Why MLS ASCP Certification?

The MLS, also known as the ‘Medical Laboratory Scientist’, are medical healthcare professionals who work in laboratories.

They work under the supervision of physicians to whom they report the results of samples and tests.

The ASCP Board of Certification trains and issues certification to both the medical lab scientists from the US and other foreign countries.

MLS ASCP Requirements For US Candidates

To qualify for certification, the applicant is required to verify the official documents i.e. Official transcripts, foreign transcript evaluation (for international candidates) etc.

The MLS Applicant must satisfy at least one of the below mentioned routes below Acc. to BOC.

MLS Route 1

• A Bachelor's degree from a registered and an accredited regional or national college/university.
• Successful completion of the National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences or NAACLS’s MLS program in the last five years.

MLS Route 2

• A valid MLT certificate from the ASCP Board of Certification is a must.
• A Bachelor's degree from a registered and an accredited regional or national college/university
• 16 hours in biology including one semester in microbiology
• 16 hours in chemistry including one semester in biochemistry or organic chemistry.
•  Two full years of clinical experience from an acceptable laboratory in the last five years.

(The applicant must know the basics i.e. analyzing blood, body fluids, blood banking Utilizing microscopes)

MLS Route 3

• The MLS ASCP route 3 has been discontinued since 1 January 2023.

MLS Route 4

• A Bachelor's degree from a registered and an accredited regional or national college/university
• 16 semester hours in biology including one semester in microbiology
• 16 semester hours in chemistry including one semester in biochemistry or organic chemistry.
• Five full years of clinical experience from an acceptable laboratory within the last ten years.

MLS Route 5

• A valid certificate of MLS ASCPi
• A transcript to verify the degree is equivalent to US Bachelor’s degree
• Five full years of clinical experience from an acceptable laboratory within the last ten years.

(Applicants with MLS ASCPi certificate are not required to attempt the certificate examination.)

MLS Route 6

• The applicant must have completed a 50 week U.S. military medical laboratory training course in the last 10 years.
• A Bachelor's degree from a registered and an accredited regional or national college/university
• The applicant must have completed 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) in biology including one semester in microbiology and 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) in chemistry.
• Only one year of clinical experience from an acceptable laboratory within the last ten years.

MLS ASCP Documentation Requirements

A Medical Laboratory Scientists must be able to authenticate that he/she does have the required experience in order to be eligible for MLS ASCP certification.

MLS ASCP (Route 2-6) Experience Form

MLS route 2-6 requires one to five years clinical experience (depending upon the route) from an acceptable laboratory in the last five years.

The ASCP issues an experience documentation form that is required to be filled by the applicant and the supervisor.

The first part of the form needs to be filled by the applicant, where he/she will add their name, address, city and email address.

The second part needs to be filled by the immediate supervisor or the laboratory management.

In the second part, the supervisor is asked to see if the applicant has the required competence in various areas of experience.

The applicant must have a letter of authenticity from the supervisor with the experience documentation form.

MLS ASCP (Route 2, 3, 4) Program Form

For MLS Program Completion (Routes 2, 3, and 4), The applicant can download the program completion form and fill it as per instructions below.

The first part of the form is to be filled by the applicant where he/she must add information such as name, address, city, zip code, email address etc.

The second part is to be completed and signed by the program director.

The program director must testify that the applicant has Successfully completed NAACLS accredited MLS program, or a laboratory science clinical training program from an acceptable medical laboratory in the last five years

The applicant is also advised to attach a letter of authenticity from the director of the program along with the program completion documentation.

The letter must be printed on the original letterhead and must be signed and dated by the program director.

MLS ASCPi Requirements for International Certification

To qualify for the MLS ASCPi, the applicant must meet all the requirements including educational background, experience and training.

The MLS Applicant must satisfy at least one of the below mentioned routes. (The degrees in Medical Laboratory Science include Medical Technology, Medical Laboratory Science, Clinical Laboratory Science, and Biomedical Laboratory Science.)

MLSi Route 1

• A Bachelor's degree from a registered and an accredited regional or national college/university in Medical Laboratory Science**, biological science, or chemistry, chemistry and biological science.
• The applicant must have completed the Medical Laboratory Science training program. (The training must include chemistry, blood banking (immunohematology), hematology, and microbiology)

Route 2 MLSi

• A Bachelor's degree from a registered and an accredited regional or national college/university in Medical Laboratory Science.
• Three years of clinical experience from an acceptable laboratory. (Experience in chemistry, hematology, blood banking (immunohematology) and microbiology is a must).

MLSi Route 3

• A Bachelor's degree from a registered and an accredited regional or national college/university.
• The applicant must have completed a two-year Medical Laboratory Science program. (The training must include chemistry, blood banking (immunohematology), hematology, and microbiology)

Route 4 MLSi

• A Bachelor's degree in biological science or chemistry from a registered and an accredited regional or national college/university.
• Five years of clinical experience from an acceptable laboratory. (Experience in chemistry, hematology, blood banking (immunohematology) and microbiology is a must).

MLSi Route 5

• A Bachelor's degree from a registered and an accredited regional or national college/university.
• The applicant must have completed a two-year diploma in biological science or chemistry from a registered college/university.
• Five years of clinical experience from an acceptable laboratory. (Experience in chemistry, hematology, blood banking (immunohematology) and microbiology is a must).

MLS ASCPi Documentation Requirements

A Medical Laboratory Scientists must be able to authenticate that he/she does have the required experience in order to be eligible for MLS ASCPi certification.

MLS ASCPi (Route 2,4,5) Experience Form

MLS ASCP route 2,4 and 5 requires three to five years clinical experience (depending upon the route) from an acceptable laboratory.

The ASCP issues an experience documentation form, for all the international applicants, that is required to be filled by the applicant and his/her employer or the laboratory management.

The first part of the form needs to be filled by the applicant, where he/she will add their name, address, email address and ASCP Customer ID.

The second part needs to be filled by the applicant’s employer or the laboratory management.

The laboratory management is tasked to verify the competence of the applicant in four areas, including Blood Banking, chemistry, microbiology, hematology.

The applicant must have a letter of authenticity from the laboratory management or the employer with the experience documentation form.

MLS ASCPi (Route1&3) Training Form

The International applicant must submit the relevant Training Documentation Form (Routes 1 & 3) in order to be eligible for the MLS ASCPi certification.

The applicant can download the program completion form and fill it as per instructions below.

The first part of the form is to be filled by the applicant where he/she must add information such as applicant’s name and name of the program.

The second part is to be completed and signed by the program director.

The program director must testify that the applicant has Successfully clinical training program from an acceptable foreign medical laboratory.

The applicant is also advised to attach a letter of authenticity from the director of the program along with the program completion documentation.

The letter must be printed on the original letterhead and must be signed and dated by the program director.

MLS ASCP/ ASCPi Guidelines For Evaluating Experience

To qualify for the MLS certification, the applicant must be competent enough to perform all the tests and procedures mentioned below acc to BOC.

Blood Banking:

• Collecting, assessing, and managing samples
• Determining blood type (ABO and Rh)
• Detecting antibodies
• Analyzing and resolving problems
• Storing and utilizing blood components
• Testing compatibility
• Lab safety
• Conducting HDFN tests
• Examining transfusion reactions
• Handling and administering blood products
• Performing instrument maintenance and resolving issues
• Ensuring quality control

Chemistry:

• Gathering, assessing, and handling samples
• Fundamental analysis techniques for electrolytes, blood gasses, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, bilirubin, enzymes, lipids, and proteins
• Tests that measure immune responses
• Studying endocrine function and tumor indicators
• Monitoring and assessing therapeutic drug levels and toxic substances
• Maintaining and fixing instruments to prevent issues

Hematology:

• Preparing and evaluating blood smears, and analyzing the differential
• Conducting a complete blood count
• Performing various additional tests (e.g., reticulocyte count, ESR, sickle screen)
• Proficiency can be demonstrated through performance, observation, or simulation.
• Carrying out routine coagulation tests (e.g., PT, APTT, fibrinogen, D-dimer)
• Instruments maintenance
• Performing specialized coagulation tests (e.g., factor assays, platelet function studies)*

Micobiology:

Specimen collection, evaluation, and processing

• Antibiotic susceptibility testing*
• Competency may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or
  simulation.
• Culture evaluation
• Competency may be demonstrated through performance, observation, or
  simulation.
• Media selection
• Microscopic examination of specimens
• Manual, automated, and/or molecular methods for detection and
  identification of microorganisms
• Instrument preventive maintenance and troubleshooting
• Quality control / assurance
• Laboratory safety
• Problem solving / troubleshooting

Immunology:

• Performing serological tests manually or using automated methods for diseases such as hepatitis, rubella, syphilis, rheumatoid arthritis, and heterophile antibody detection
• Instruments maintenance
• Ensuring quality control
• Problem solving

Urinalysis and body fluids

• Conducting regular analysis of urine samples
• Performing standard examinations of other bodily fluids
• Instruments maintenance
• Ensuring quality control and assurance

How To Study For MLS ASCP?

While studying for the MLS ASCP exam is difficult, a good approach can undo all the hurdles an applicant usually faces.

We are going to discuss things that will help you succeed if followed correctly. Here is how to study for the MLS ASCP exam.

FAQs Of MLS ASCP Requirements