MLS ASCP Routes: Have You Checked Them?
Do you know the meaning of the MLS ASCP routes?
The MLS ASCP routes are the eligibility requirements determined by the ASCP BOC to satisfy before applying for the ASCP medical laboratory scientist exam.
The board suggests 6 routes for MLS (ASCP) (U.S. applicants) and 5 routes for MLS (ASCPi) (international applicants); meeting one is crucial to qualifying for the exam.
On this page, we are going to illustrate all MLS ASCP routes so that you may know whether you are eligible for this exam or not.
MLS ASCP Routes: Eligibility Criteria for United States Applicants
Route I
- Medical Laboratory Scientist program presented by the NAACLS
- Bachelor degree.
Route II
- ASCP MLT credential
- Clinical experience of two years must be in blood banking, hematology, chemistry, immunology, microbiology, and urinalysis/body fluids.
- A baccalaureate degree must be earned with a combination of 16 semester hours in biology and chemistry. One semester hr in microbiology and one semester hour in biochemistry must be included in these 16 semesters.
Route III
- As of January 1, 2023, this route requirement has been banned by the Board of Certification.
Route IV
- Clinical experience of 5 years in 6 areas, including microbiology, hematology, chemistry, blood banking, urinalysis/body fluids, and immunology.
- A bachelor’s degree must be obtained with a combination of 16 semester hrs in chemistry and biology. One semester hour in biochemistry/organic and microbiology must be included with these 16 semesters.
Route V
- International MLS ASCP license
- Clinical experience must be obtained in 6 areas, including immunology, hematology, chemistry, blood banking, urinalysis/body fluids, and microbiology (experience must be of five years).
- Transcript evaluation for verification of equivalence to the U.S. bachelor’s degree from a regionally approved institution.
Route VI
- A medical lab training course of 50 weeks offered by the U.S. military.
- A baccalaureate with biology and chemistry (16 semester hours in both, including one semester hour in microbiology and one semester hour in biochemistry/organics).
- Clinical experience in six areas, including urinalysis/body fluids, microbiology, chemistry, hematology, immunology, and blood banking.
MLS ASCP Routes: Eligibility Prerequisites for International Candidates
Route I
- A bachelor’s degree om biological science, chemistry, or medical lab science.
- Medical lab science training program in four areas: blood banking, chemistry, microbiology, and hematology.
Route II
- Baccalaureate degree in medical lab science
- Clinical experience in four areas (microbiology, chemistry, hematology, and blood banking); experience must be of 3 years.
Route III
- A medical lab science program of two years in four specific areas, including microbiology, chemistry, hematology, and blood banking.
- Baccalaureate degree
Route IV
- Baccalaureate degree in chemistry or biological science
- Clinical experience in four areas, including hematology, chemistry, blood banking, and microbiology (experience must be 4 years).
Route V
- Bachelor’s degree
- A diploma in chemistry or biological science, which must be of 2 years.
- Clinical experience (five years) in hematology, chemistry, microbiology, & blood banking.
Commonly Required Documentation with MLS ASCP Routes
- Transcript evaluation (foreign), if you want to get an education outside of the U.S. or Canada.
- Official transcript for study with the U.S. or Canada.
- A letter of authenticity with experience & training documentation form.
- Military training license (only for U.S. applicants).
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.
