MLT (ASCP) – Medical Laboratory Technician

As a medical laboratory technician, you’re in a vital position to save lives. A noble profession with bright prospects. How far you can go in this career depends on your level of experience and more importantly, certification.

One certification that stands out, whether you are in the US or international, is the MLT ASCP certification. However, like every good thing, the MLT ASCP is not a walk in the park. Notwithstanding, nothing beats preparation. So, how can you prepare to pass the MLT ASCP Certificate exam?

Watch : MLT (ASCP) – Medical Laboratory Technician

Here is the quick video, breaking down the MLT ASCP credential. Everything you need to know about MLT certification by ASCP. If you prefer watching over reading, then start here?

What is a Medical Laboratory Technician?

We all seek medical attention to prevent an illness or cure one. Regardless of why you need medical care at any point, you will most likely need to take a lab test for proper diagnoses. Thus, to begin the diagnosis journey, you may be required to submit either a blood, urine, tissue, or any body fluid sample. These samples are for a special group of people who specialize in working with these samples to find out “what is” in any medical condition. Such unique and highly skilled health workers are called Medical Laboratory Technicians.

Career Future for a Medical Lab Technician

Even amid challenging economies and massive layoffs of workers across different sectors, one career path remains unshaken. That career is the Medical Laboratory Technician.

According to the data released a year ago by the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics, while there are about 329,200 MLTs, the figure is estimated to grow by 7% from 2021 to 2031.

This means in a decade, over 21,000 jobs will be available for certified MLTs. This figure is way beyond the national average of 5%. Indeed, this unique healthcare profession could be the safest net for anyone who wants stability and also loves to make a huge impact in people's lives.

What is MLT ASCP/ASCPi Certification?

Laboratory technicians otherwise known as Medical Lab Technicians get to this level after completing a high school diploma or its equivalent and subsequently committing two years of their lives to an associate degree program.  Regardless of these sacrifices, going far as a lab technician is impossible if you're not ASCP/ASCPi certified.

The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), through the ASCP Certification Board, offers certification or licensure to Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLTs). Earning your MLT ASCP further proves that, aside from your college degree in MLT, you’ve got what it takes to provide all the necessary lab-value information that may be required of you to diagnose and treat any patient.

So, why should you get certified as an MLT ASCP?

Why Should I Get Certified as an MLT ASCP/ASCPi?

Having professional certifications will always make it easier for you to bag any job anywhere in the world. The same applies to having an MLT ASCP Certificate. This certificate is an additional proof of your professionalism and level of dedication to your career. It makes it easier for you to negotiate better pay. If you choose to work outside of the U.S., the ASCP can forward your scores to the necessary licensing board in any part of the world you choose to settle.

State Licensure For MLT ASCP/ASCPi

While becoming a certified medical lab technician means completing your diploma degree, finishing an associate degree program, and subsequently scaling through the ASCP MLT exam, it's still not all takes to start working fully as a medical technician everywhere in the US.

Currently, 11 states in the US make it mandatory for MLTs to get licensure before practicing. These states are:

California, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

Even in states where you don't technically need a license, most labs are still looking for that ASCP certification on your resume. It's basically the gold standard that tells employers, “this person knows what they're doing.” With it, you'll definitely stand out and likely land better positions with higher pay.

For instance, to practice in Georgia, you don’t necessarily need to be ASCP MLT certified. However, the state has crafted its own stringent standards, so you've got to know your stuff and demonstrate similar competencies.

Not only that, but life is always changing. At some point, you might end up in one of those states that require licensure. So you'll be so glad you already have your ASCP certification. It makes the whole transition process way easier.

➤ Secure Your Future with Nationally Recognized MLT ASCP Credentials

What Are The MLT ASCP Eligibility Requirements?

Although the ASCP BOC has provided an Eligibility Assistant program on their site to make it easier for anyone to determine his/her eligibility, it will interest you to know that there are two eligibility routes—one for US residents (MLT ASCP) and the other for international medical technicians (MLT ASCPi).

US MLT ASCP Eligibility Routes

ASCP offers four routes for US residents hoping to sit and pass the MLT ASCP exam. They include,

Route 1: Associate degree from a recognized college or university and a successful completion of a NAACLS or ABHES accredited MLT program within the last five years.

Route 2: The route 2 used to be having a valid CLA. Unfortunately, that option is no longer available as ASCP BOC has placed a stop to it.

Route 3: Must have an associate degree (with a minimum of 6 semester hours) in Chemistry or Biology or 60 semester hours of academic credit. Additionally, he/she must have completed a 50-week U.S. military medical laboratory training course

Route 4: Must have an associate degree in Biology or Chemistry (with 6 semester hours) from a recognized college or university. Also, he/she must have not less than three years clinical experience in chemistry, immunology, blood banking, and hematology.

International Eligibility Routes to MLT ASCPi

ASCP offers three routes for international applicants. This includes,

Route 1: Having a two-year diploma from a recognized school in Medical Laboratory Science with skills and knowledge in microbiology, chemistry, hematology, and blood banking.

Req for Route 2: Having a two-year diploma in chemistry or biological science from a recognized school and completing a medical laboratory science program.

Route 3: Having a two-year diploma in biological science or chemistry from a recognized school and a three-year clinical laboratory experience in an approved laboratory.

What is The MLT ASCP Recertification Requirement?

Your MLT ASCP Certification is only valid for three years, whether you work in the U.S. or outside of the U.S. To get recertified, you must complete an online declaration process, pay a $95 renewal fee, and wait. Of course, you must have submitted proof of continuing education through the U.S. Credential Maintenance Program (CMP). All these must be done at least 30 days before your ASCP Certificate is due to expire.

Can I Upgrade My MLT to MLS?

Yes, it’s very possible to upgrade from MLT to MLS. Just make sure you've nailed down how to get MLT ASCP certification first.

If you want to switch from medical lab technicians to medical lab scientists, all it takes is extra work and dedication on your path, as you’d be advancing your education and earning more experience.

According to the ASCP, medical technicians looking to earn certification as a medical lab scientist must,

• Complete a four-year bachelor's degree program
• Dedicate not less than 16 hours to chemistry or biology
• Must have at least 2 years of experience in a clinical lab

Although upgrading from MLT to MLS can be challenging, you stand to gain so much more in the long run.

Take the first step on your laboratory career path.

➤ Get Prepared for MLT ASCP today

MLT ASCP Exam Content Areas (Syllabus)

The ASCP has made clear the core content areas that form part of the MLT ASCP exam. Over the years, we have carefully studied and analyzed the content areas and chances of questions coming from each of them. The seven exam content areas and percentages include:

Blood Bank

With up to 20% exam chances, blood banking covers everything from blood group systems to blood group immunology, pathophysiology, blood products, transfusion practice, and serologic and molecular testing.

Urinalysis and Bodily Fluid

With just 10%, you only have to concern yourself with microscopic analysis, physiology, and physical and chemical testing.

Chemistry

Chemistry covers 20% and includes areas like lipids, carbohydrates, proteins and nitrogen compounds, electrolytes, vitamins, endocrinology, toxicology, nutrition, enzymes, therapeutic drug monitoring, and acid-base determination.

Hematology

Another important area with up to 25% exam questions, this area covers subjects like disease state, laboratory testing, and hemostasis.

Immunology

Covering just 10% of the MLT ASCP exam questions, key subjects in Immunology include diseases of the immune system, infectious disease serology, principles of immunology, serologic procedures, and transplantation.

Microbiology

Microbiology is another core area in the certification exam. It covers up to 20% of the question, with subjects ranging from the analytic procedure or bacteriology and mycobacteriology to parasitology, virology, mycology, preanalytic and post-analytic procedures.

Laboratory Operations

The last on the list comes with only 10% of the exam. It includes laboratory mathematics, instrumentation, quality assessment, automated and manual methodology, and safety.

Taking your time to fully study and comprehend all or close to all listed above will guarantee you immense success in the certification exam in just one sitting.

Is it possible to cover these content areas? Yes, it is very much possible. That's what the MLT ASCP exam preparation course is there for!

MLT ASCP Exam Preparation for ASCP and ASCPi

Meeting all the eligibility requirements is never a guarantee that you'll pass the certification test in one sitting. No, it takes more than that. With the many journals and texts (covering areas like chemistry, blood banking, immunology, lab operations, and hematology), you can quickly find yourself lost in the ocean of things to read and cover.

But you don't have to face all these battles alone, our online MLT ASCP/ASCPi Exam Prep course is here for you!

Success in the exam takes more than just reading the online resources recommended by ASCP BOC. You need to get familiar with the exam format and possible questions before the exam. This is another reason why investing in an online prep course is better.

Our online MLT certification exam preparation course is a 3-1 package, offering,

• Live Classes
• Recording of Classes
• Unified ASCP MLT Study Material in the form of an eBook
• Questions & Answers

When you consider the fact that acing the MLT ASCP/ASCPi cert exam means that you can jumpstart your career as a medical lab technician immediately, then you have no reason not to invest in anything that will play a key role in your success. That factor is an online prep course!

FAQs for MLT ASCP

If you're a Medical Lab technician with dreams of saving more lives and attaining the pinnacle of your career, taking the MLT ASCP exam is the key. But you can only achieve this when you prepare well for this exam.

Still have questions?

Connect with Adam, our ASCP-certified Support Expert