MLS ASCP Prerequisites: Do You Meet Its Requirements?

Do you know about the MLS ASCP prerequisites that the ASCP BOC determines?

To get the ASCP medical laboratory scientist certificate, you have to prove your competency two times, once before applying (meeting the MLS ASCP requirements) and again after applying (passing it challenging exam).

You cannot cross the MLS ASCP exam boundaries without satisfying its criteria.

On this page, we will tell you which degrees, documents, experience, and training, you must have to fulfill MLS ASCP prerequisites.

MLS ASCP Prerequisites: For U.S. and Foreign Candidates

The American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC) determines routes (six for U.S. and five for non-U.S. (international) professionals).

To make your eligibility possible, the board demands that you meet at least one route requirement.

It is a process to check your interest in your medical lab science field.

The following are all the routes illustrated so that you can see and examine which route is according to your qualifications and experience:

MLS ASCP Prerequisites: For U.S. Applicants

Route One

• Baccalaureate degree in a related subject
• NAACLS-consented Medical Laboratory Scientist program (must be obtained within the previous 5 years).

Route Two

• ASCP medical laboratory technician certificate
• Bachelor’s degree with a couple of 16-semester hrs in biology (one hr microbiology semester must be included) & chemistry (one semester hrs in biochemistry or organic).
• Approved clinical experience of 2 years in immunology, hematology, chemistry, blood banking, and microbiology (within last 5 years)

Route Three

• For now, there are no MLS ASCP prerequisites fixed by the board for this route.

Route Fours

• A baccalaureate degree from an authorized educational institution that must be received with a combination of 16-semester hrs in biology, including microbiology 1 hrs semester, and 16 hrs semesters in chemistry, including 1 semester hr in biochemistry/organics.
• Full-time approved clinical experience of 5 years in micro, blood banking, urine/other body fluids, immunology, hematology, and chemistry (must be obtained within the previous ten years)

Route Five

• International MLS ASCP certificate
• Clinical experience in immunology, hematology, chemistry, blood banking, and urine/other body fluids, experience must be at least 5 years and must be obtained within the prior 10 years.

Route Six

• A medical lab training course of 50 weeks that presented by the U.S. military (must be earned within last 10 years)
• Baccalaureate degree with sixteen (16) semester hours in bio and chemistry, with 1 semester hr in microbiology.
• Clinical experience of 1 year in micro, biology, and other related fields (experience must be received within the past 10 years).

MLS ASCP Prerequisites: For International Candidates

Route One

• Bachelor’s degree in biological science, chemistry, or medical lab science.
• Training program (medical lab science) in chemistry, micro, blood bank, and hematology.

Route Two

• Graduation in medical lab science
• Clinical experience of 3 years in micro, blood bank, hematology, and chemistry.

Route Three

• Baccalaureate degree
• Medical laboratory science training program (must be of two years) chemistry, microbiology, blood bank, and hematology.

Route Four

• Graduation in biological science
• Clinical experience (five years) in microbiology, chemistry, blood banking, and hematology.

Route Five

• Bachelor’s degree
• Diploma (2 years) in chemistry/biological science
• Clinical experience (5 years) in micro, chemistry, blood bank, and hematology.