The ASCP MLS breakdown comprise: ASCP MLS reference ranges, topics and key topics of each subject and seven subjects with all their crucial outlines and question percentages.

To pass the MLS (ASCP) exam, you must cover the entire syllabus because the board chooses a different percentage of questions from each subject.

The subjects and their percentages are:

Chemistry: 17%-20%
Blood Banking: 17%-20%
Hematology: 17%-20%
Urinalysis and other body fluids: 5%-10%
Immunology: 5%-10%
Lab Operation: 5%-10%
Microbiology: 17%-20%

Whether you are a U.S. candidate or international, the board offers the same MLS ASCP content guidelines for all.

In this article, we will describe the entire ASCP MLS content guideline, with its subjects, outlines, topics, and key topics.

ASCP MLS Breakdown: A-Z Information

Following are all the subjects and their outlines that you have to cover in the ASCP MLS certification exam preparation.

ASCP MLS Breakdown for Blood Banking

This content area covers 17%-22% of exam questions out of 100%.

The following are all its classification:

Blood Product

Donor
Processing
Storage
Blood Components
Blood Component Quality Control

Blood Group System

Genetics
Biochemistry/Antigens
Blood Group Role in Transfusion

Blood Group Immunology

Immune Response
Immunoglobulins
Antigen-Antibody Interactions
Complement

Physiology and Pathophysiology

Physiology of Blood
Hemostasis & Coagulation
Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn & Fetus
Anemias
Transplantation

Serologic and Molecular Testing

Routine Tests
Reagents
Application of Reagents and Special Tests
Leukocyte/Platelet Testing
Quality Assurance

Transfusion Practice

ASCP MLS Breakdown for Urinalysis/Other Body Fluids

Out of 100% of questions, it offers 5%-10% questions for the final exam content areas.

The further classification of Urinalysis and body fluids

Urinalysis

Physical
Chemical
Microscopic
Renal Physiology
Disease States

Body Fluids (semen, amniotic, CSF, serous, feces, synovial, etc)

Physiology
Physical
Chemical
Disease States
Microscopic

ASCP MLS Breakdown for Chemistry

This part presents 17%-22% of the exam questions. It major categories are:

General Chemistry

Carbohydrate
Lipids
Heme Derivatives

Protein and Enzyme

Enzyme
Proteins and other Nitrogen-Containing Compounds

Acid-Base, Blood Gases, and Electrolytes

Electrolytes
Acid-Base Determination

Special Chemistry

Toxicology
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
Vitamins and Nutrition
Endocrinology

ASCP MLS Breakdown for Hematology

The ASCP Board of Certification chose 17%-22% of the questions from hematology.

Its major classifications are;

Hematology Physiology

Destruction
Function
Production

Hematology Disease State

Erythrocytes
Leukocytes
Platelets

Hematology Laboratory Testing

Cell Counts
Differentials & Morphology Evaluation
Hemoglobin
Hematocrit
Indices
Hemolytic Indicators
Special Stains
Other Studies
Flow Cytometry Immunophenotyping

ASCP MLS Breakdown for Immunology

This content area is specific to offer the 5%-10% questions for the ASCP medical lab scientist exam.

The following are its exam content areas:

Principle of Immunology

Immune System Physiology
Immunoglobulins
Antigen-Antibody Interactions
Complement

Disease of the Immune System

Autoimmunity
Hypersensitivity
Immunoproliferative Diseases
Immunodeficiency

Transplantation

Graft-versus-host Disease
HLA Typing
Tumor Immunology

Infectious Disease Serology

Epidemiology of viral pathogens and clinical significance
Tuberculosis Infection (PPD, interferon-gamma release assay, etc)
Stages of Infection of Treponema pallidum & Borrelia burgdorferi

Serologic Procedures

Rheumatoid Factor
Thyroid Antibodies
Cytokine Testing
Labeled Immunoassays
Nontreponemal Syphilis Testing
Immunofluorescence
Treponemal Syphilis Testing

Test Result

Confirmatory Testing
Result Interpretation
Disease State Correlation

ASCP MLS Breakdown for Microbiology

It offers 17-22% of questions, and its major topics are:

Preanalytical procedures, analytical procedure of bacteriology, Analytic Procedures for Virology, Mycobacteriology, Mycology, and Parasitology, and postanalytical procedures.

Preanalytical procedures

Specimen Collection & Transport
Specimen Processing
Stain, Principles, Procedures, and Interpretation

Analytic Procedures for Bacteriology

Bone Marrow and Blood
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Body Fluids from Normally Sterile Sites
Lower Respiratory
Upper Respiratory
Skin, Soft Tissue, & Bone Genital Tract
Urine
Identification Methods
Antibiotic Resistance and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing
MRSA/MSSA, ESBL/CRE, VRE Screening
BSL-3 Pathogens & Select Agents

Analytic Procedures for Mycology, Parasitology, Virology, Mycobacteriology

Mycobacteriology & Nocardia spp
Virology
Parasitology
Mycology

Postanalytic Procedures

Issuing Corrected Reports
Urgent & Critical Value Reporting
Autoverification & Result Review
Documentation Practices
Prevention and Public Health/ Reporting to Infection Control

ASCP MLS Breakdown for Laboratory Operation

Lab operation presents 5%-10% of exam questions for the MLS ASCP exam.

The further classifications of lab operation are

Troubleshooting/ Quality Assessment

Compliance
Quality Control
Postanalytical, Analytical, and Preanalytical
Regulation (proficiency testing, accreditation standards, competency assessment, etc)

Safety

Emergency Procedures (needlesticks, fire, splashes to mucous membranes, etc)
Safety Programs & Practices: Safe work practices, chemicals and reagents safety data sheets, bloodborne pathogens prevention of infection, PPE (personal protective equipment) usage, transportation of microorganisms and specimens and their packing.

Laboratory Mathematics

Standard Curves
Normality
Dilutions, Volume, and Concentration
Molarity
Mode, Mean, Confidence Intervals, and Median
Predictive Value, Specificity, and Sensitivity

Automated and Manual Methodology & Instrumentation

Automated Microbiology Processors
Flow Cytometry
Fluorometry
Chromatography
Osmometry
Spectrophotometry & Photometry
Basic Lab Equipment
Hematology Instrumentation
Molecular Methods
Nephelometry
Electrochemistry
Electrophoresis
Mass Spectrometry

Education Principles

Basic Management Principles

FAQs for ASCP MLS Breakdown

What is the ASCP MLS Breakdown?

The ASCP MLS exam syllabus is also called the ASCP MLS Breakdown. The ASCP BOC recommends seven subjects for the ASCP MLS exam: Chemistry, Microbiology, Immunology, Lab Operation, Hematology, Blood Banking, and Urinalysis/Other Body Fluids.

Are covering the entire ASCP MLS breakdown is important to pass the ASCP MLS exam?

Yes, of course, because the ASCP Board of Certification chooses the different percentage of questions from each content area.

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.

ASCP MLS Breakdown: Entire Exam Content Guidelines