ASCP Medical Technician Certification: MLT(ASCP), HT(ASCP), PBT(ASCP) and MLA (ASCP)

• MLT (ASCP)
• PBT (ASCP)
• MLA (ASCP)
• HT (ASCP)

The ASCP Medical Technician Certification is a notable certificate that confirms the skills and proficiency of healthcare professionals in the field of medical laboratory science.

This ASCP technician certification, provided by the American Society for Clinical Pathology

(ASCP), indicates the individual's devotion to delivering accurate and trusty laboratory results, ensuring the highest criteria of patient care.

Generally, ASCP-certified medical technicians are prepared with inclusive knowledge in several areas, including hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, immunology, phlebotomy, and histotechnology.

By obtaining this credential, professionals manifest their dedication to improving their careers and contributing to the growth of medical science.

What is a Medical Technician?

A medical technician, also known as a clinical laboratory technician, plays a significant role in healthcare.

In general, medical technicians conduct multiple laboratory tests, examine samples, and give beneficial information to help diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases.

They are in charge of operating, classifying, and sanitizing the lab and equipment.

Also, they certify precise ASCP medical laboratory technician practice test results and get together with other healthcare professionals. They learn to use complicated testing equipment like microscopes and computers.

Medical laboratory technicians are important in healthcare, assigned to analyze normal and abnormal components of body fluids like blood, urine, and spinal fluids. They perform precise chemical analyses to help in diagnosing diseases, monitoring treatments, and evaluating overall health.

Their knowledge plays a significant role in granting excellent patient care and ensuring correct diagnoses, making them responsible members of the healthcare team.

Need for Medical Technicians

The demand for medical technicians is at its peak, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2022) concludes a hopeful outlook for this federal healthcare profession.

According to the BLS, there is an estimated growth of 7 percent in ASCP medical laboratory technician jobs from 2021 to 2031, which is quicker than the national average of 5 percent.

This growth is advancing to create around 21,800 new jobs for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians during the same period.

Moreover, 329,200 professionals joined the field so far. These statistics highlight the increasing requirement for expert medical technicians in the healthcare industry.

What is ASCP Technician Certification?

ASCP medical technician certification is a reputable credential granted by the American Society for Clinical Pathology. It serves as a verification of the skills and knowledge held by medical technicians.

By acquiring this credential, individuals illustrate their bond to excellence and dedication to keeping their profession's best position.

ASCP certificate is acknowledged and admired in the healthcare industry. It increases job prospects, gives special opportunities for career advancement, and marks a dedication to ongoing professional development.

Not just this, but it also verifies to employers and patients that certified medical technicians have met meticulous educational and observational ASCP BOC requirements.

Types of ASCP Technician Certificates

ASCP suggests many types of technician certificates, serving individuals in different geographical locations and focusing on different areas of medical technology.

U.S. Certificates

This credential is created for individuals in the United States who meet the qualified criteria defined by ASCP. It confirms the capability and proficiency of medical technicians practicing within the United States. The U.S certificates available include:

1. Laboratory Technician, MLT(ASCP)
2. Histotechnician, HT(ASCP)
3. Phlebotomy Technician, PBT(ASCP)
4. Medical Laboratory Assistant, MLA(ASCP)

International Certificates

ASCP also offers credentials for medical technicians outside the United States.

These international certificates acknowledge that the person has fulfilled the prerequisites of ASCP and helps technicians to practice in different countries around the world. The international certificates available includes:

1. Laboratory Technician, MLT(ASCPi)
2. Histotechnician, HT(ASCPi)
3. Phlebotomy Technician, PBT(ASC)

Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT ASCP/ASCPi)

Ambitious medical laboratory technicians can go after the MLT ASCP/ASCPi credential. This certificate verifies the skills and knowledge essential for performing various laboratory tests and analyses.

To get this certification, candidates must fulfill certain requirements set by ASCP and get fully prepared for the MLT ASCP exam. These ASCP MLT requirements contain education, clinical training, and work experience.

MLT ASCP/ ASCPi Certification Requirements

	MLT ASCP Routes	MLT ASCPi Routes
Route 1	• Associate degree from a national or regional accredited university/college or 60-semester hrs from a recognized university along with successful integration of ABHES-approved MLT program or NAACLS within recent five years.	• A two-year diploma in Medical Laboratory Science which comprises training in chemistry, microbiology, hematology, and blood banking from a recognized technical institution.
Route 2	• From Jan 1, 2023, the need for valid CLA (ACSP) certification has been terminated.	• Two-year diploma from a recognized educational institution in chemistry or biological science along with successful integration of MLT program, which must include microbiology, hematology, blood banking, and chemistry.
Route 3	• Academic degree from a recognized university comprising 6 semester hours in chemistry and biology which may be acquired in inclusion to associate degree OR 60 semester hours of academic credit from a reputed university with 6 semester hours in biology and chemistry in addition to the successful integration of 50-week U.S military MLT program within last ten years.	• Two-year diploma from an approved educational institute in chemistry or biological science along with sustainable clinical science experience including chemistry, microbiology, hematology, and blood banking of 3 years in an authorized laboratory.
Route 4	• Complete an associate degree from a reputable college or university, which means it's regionally or nationally accredited, and take 6 semester hours in both chemistry and biology during your degree or as additional coursework. Need to have three years of full-time clinical experience under your belt. The experience should cover areas like hematology, blood banking, immunology, and chemistry. And remember, this experience should be from an acceptable laboratory, and it should be within the last six years.

MLT Exam Content Guidelines

Here are some brief content guidelines (subjects and their percentage required) for a better understanding of the criteria:

• Blood Banking (15 to 20%)
• URINALYSIS AND OTHER BODY FLUIDS (5 to 10%)
• Chemistry (20 to 25%)
• Hematology (20 to 25%)
• Immunology (5 to 10%)
• Microbiology (15 to 20%)
• Laboratory Operations (5 to 10%)

Histotechnician (HT ASCP/ASCPi)

The Histotechnician ASCP certification is invented for individuals specializing in histotechnology, which demands the preparation and blemish of tissue samples for microscopic examination.

The HT ASCP/ASCPi credential confirms the skills and knowledge to perform these essential histology procedures.

Similar to the MLT ASCP/ASCPi certification, candidates looking for an HT ASCP/ASCPi certificate should fulfill certain requirements set by ASCP. ASCP medical technician requirements may include education, clinical training, and work experience.

HT ASCP/ASCPi Requirements

	HT ASCP Routes	HT ASCPi Routes
Route 1	• Within the previous five years, you need to accomplish a Histotechnician program approved by NAACLS.	• Completion of high school or corespondents Plus, the effective completion of a clinical training program for histotechnicians that is recognized or approved* and offers a histotechnology internship. After graduating from high school, applicants for the histotechnician clinical training program and internship must finish them.
Route 2	• 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of college credit from a locally or nationally renowned institution* A college or university with a total of 12 semester hours (18 quarter hours) in both chemistry and biology (must contain credit hours in each), OR an associate degree from a recognized (regionally or nationally) institution. 12 semester hours acquired from a college or university (18 quarter hours), which can be studied in biology & chemistry as part of or in addition to the associate's degree. With one year of recent full-time veterinary, business, or research experience in a histopathology laboratory in the United States or Canada OR one year of previous full-time veterinary, business, or research experience in a histopathology laboratory in Canada.	• A two-year degree from a school that has been recognized or approved, Also one year of appropriate industry, veterinary, or research experience in a histopathology lab, OR one year of suitable clinical experience in a histopathology lab.
Route 3	• 60 semester hours (90 quarter hrs) of college credit from a regionally or nationally renowned institution. A college or university with a minimum of 12 semester hrs combined in biology and chemistry (both of them must be credit hours), and an associate's degree from a regionally or nationally recognized institution. College or university, which may be obtained as part of or alongside to the associate degree, with a combination of 12 semester hours (almost 18 quarter hours) in biology and chemistry. OR throughout the last ten years, effective completion of a 50-week U.S. military histotechnician training school.

HT ASCP/ ASCPi Exam Content Guidelines

Histotechnician content guidelines, including the subjects and their percentage, are given below:

• Fixation (15 to 25%)
• Processing (10 to 20%)
• Embedding/Microtomy (15 to 25%)
• Staining (30 to 40%)
• Laboratory Operations (10 to 15%)

Phlebotomy Technician (PBT ASCP/ASCPi)

The PBT ASCP/ASCPi certificate concentrates on individuals specializing in Phlebotomy, which includes drawing blood for medical tests, donations, or research purposes. Phlebotomy technicians play an important role in ensuring correct and safe blood collection procedures.

To obtain the PBT ASCP/ASCPi certification, applicants must fulfill the specific requirements set by ASCP. Requirements may include education, clinical training, and work experience.

PBT ASCP/ASCPi Certification Requirements

	PBT ASCP Routes	PBT ASCPi Routes
Route 1	• High school diploma or its equivalent And successful completion of a phlebotomy program within the last five years that is NAACLS recognized.	• Professional phlebotomy lessons must be successfully completed together with high school graduation. This initiative must include: Anatomy and physiology of the circulatory system, specimen collection (which includes venipunctures and skin punctures), collection of specimens and processing, and laboratory operations (such as safety, quality control, etc.) are all covered in the classroom instruction. And clinical training in a laboratory that has been granted or approved, with at least 100 successful, unsupported venipunctures performed.
Route 2	• Successful completion of an accepted two-part formal arranged phlebotomy curriculum within the last five years, in addition to high school graduation or an equivalent. This two-part program, which the program director will organize, must include: • Anatomy and physiology of the circulatory system, obtaining specimens (which involves venipuncture and skin punctures), specimen processing and handling, and laboratory operations (such as safety, quality control, etc.) are all taught in the 40-clock hours of classroom instruction. Including 100 clock hours of clinical training, orientation, and not less than 100 successful independent venipunctures conducted in an authorized laboratory.	• High school diploma. Also, one year of excellent clinical working experience as a phlebotomy technician in a lab that has been certified or approved. Either venipunctures and skin punctures must be included in this experience.
Route 3	• Graduated from high school or a comparable institution. In addition, having finished one year of acceptable full-time clinical phlebotomy technician experience at an accepted lab during the last five years. Both venipunctures and skin punctures must be part of this encounter.	• Graduation from High School. A total of 100 successful, unsupported blood collections, including venipunctures and skin punctures, need to be performed as part of a nursing or other proper biomedical science program with phlebotomy training from an approved/accredited educational institution.
Route 4	• Passing high school or a comparable level of education Along with the successful completion of RN, LPN, or another appropriate certified allied health professional/occupational education requiring phlebotomy training and orientation in an acceptable laboratory with an obligatory accomplishment of 100 successful unassisted blood collections, including venipunctures and skin punctures within the previous five years.	• Applicable credential in MLS(ASCPi) or MLT(ASCPi).
Route 5	• Certification in MLS(ASCP) or MLT(ASCP) in excellent standing.
Route 6	• An up-to-date DPT(ASCP) license And the accomplishment of no fewer than 100 successful unassisted non-donor blood collections, both venipunctures and skin punctures, in a validated laboratory over the five prior years.
Route 7	• High school diploma or something similar As well as finishing a phlebotomy program that has been authorized permits by the California Department of Public Health within the last five years.

PBT ASCP/ ASCPi Exam Content Guideline

If you want to get familiar with the PBT ASCP Examination Content Guidelines (including subjects and their percentage), have a look below:

• Circulatory system (5 to 10%)
• Specimen transport, processing, and handling (15 to 20%)
• Specimen collection (45 to 50%)
• Waived & Point-of-care testing (5 to 10%)
• Laboratory operations (15 to 20%)
• Non-Blood specimens (5 to 10%)

Medical Laboratory Assistant, MLA (ASCP)

The Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA ASCP) certification is available for U.S. only.

It is considered for individuals specializing in laboratory assisting roles, keeping the work of medical technologists and technicians. MLAs achieve various tasks, such as specimen collection, preparation, and basic laboratory procedures.

Requirments for MLA ASCP

To secure MLA(ASCP) credential, candidates must meet the exact criteria set by ASCP:

• These requirements may include education, clinical training, and work experience.
• This certification offers individuals essential skills to participate effectively in the laboratory team.
• By getting this credential, medical laboratory assistants illustrate their dedication to managing high standards and delivering quality patient care.
• There are six routes deterring the prerequisites for MLA ASCP in addition to laboratory experience. For example, route one requirements include High school graduation or equivalent and successful completion of a NAACLS-accredited Medical.
• The laboratory experience for all routes includes specimen preparation and processing, support for clinical testing, and laboratory operations.

MLA Exam Content Guidelines

Below are some necessary content guidelines, including subject areas and their percentage:

• Specimen preparation & processing (30 to 35%)
• Patient registration & specimen collection (20 to 25%)
• Support for clinical testing (20 to 25%)
• Laboratory operations (10 to 15%)
• Waived & point-of-care testing (5 to 10%)

ASCP Technician Prep Course

To make sure you succeed 100%, MLSiACADEMY.com is making all-out efforts by presenting an outstanding prep package for ASCP technician preparation. Amazing features of MLSIA prep bundle include live classes, video recording, one unified study source and Q&A bank.

ASCP Technician Live Classes

For better preparation, it is the best technique to watch things visually. In MLSIA live classes, you can illustrate your concept through visuals. Experts conduct these live classes that concentrate on complicated concepts that you cannot perceive with PDFs. You have the opportunity to ask questions related to your exam content area from experts in these live classes.

Recording of Classes

Do not worry if you miss your live classes due to other activities. MLSIACADEMY.com understands your responsibilities in life. This is why it offers recording of all live classes. 

ASCP Technician Study Material

Many learning materials can confuse you with their contents. If you consider that you can learn much more information by using many study sources, then you are on the wrong track. You must select a study source that packs many learning resources into one source.

The MLSiACADEMY.com study source is a powerful, informative study guide that adjusts all BOC reading list resources into one comprehensive and conclusive learning material.

ASCP Technician Q and A Bank

To add efficacy to ASCP technician preparation, MLSIA delivers Q&A in its prep packages. These practice questions are compiled from the exam content areas and resemble final exam questions. By practicing these questions, you can get a better idea of the ASCP technician exam questions.

How To Get ASCP Technician Certification?

FAQs of ASCP Technicians