MT ASCP vs MLS ASCP: Are You Confused About Them?
What is the difference between MT ASCP vs MLS ASCP?
Nothing
Both are the same.
Hence, remove your baffle about both.
It is one certificate with two names, not two certificates with separate names.
Want to clear up all your confusion about the MT ASCP vs MLS ASCP? Stay with us.
MT ASCP vs MLS ASCP
The MT ASCP stands for Medical Technologists (MT), which describes the ASCP technologist certification before integrating the ASCP board with NCA.
NCA is also a certification association representing the “National Credentialing Agency of Laboratory Personnel.”
It provided a CLS (clinical laboratory scientist) certificate to lab professionals.
In 2009, both certification agencies decided to combine and become one big authority, the ASCP Board of Certification.
The certificates of both also collapsed into one perfect certificate: MLS (ASCP).
The MLS ASCP is a mixture of two certificates: MT ASCP + CLS = MLS ASCP.
Now there is no concept of MT ASCP vs MLS ASCP; it is only an MLS ASCP.
MT ASCP vs MLS ASCP: Which Term Should Use?
MT ASCP vs MLS ASCP: both can be used.
The MT (Medical Technologists) is an old phrase to describe the ASCP certificate, but the MLS ASCP is advanced.
All the ASCP certificates, that the professional has gotten before the ASCP MT certification transition process can be counted as MT ASCP.
But, after completion of this process, all can be mentioned as MLS ASCP.
But, you will not be wrong if you use the MT ASCP vs MLS ASCP to explain your ASCP medical lab scientist certificate.
Why did the ASCP BOC Transition its MT ASCP Certification?
The ASCP BOC was not satisfied with the term “medical technologists.”
“Technologist” is a short-range term that is not able to summarize all the competencies of certified professionals.
While “medical lab scientist” is the ultimate name to explain the experience of professionals.
With this term, professionals do not need to say anything, it is enough to explain everything.
Therefore, the ASCP Board of Certification transitioned its MT ASCP/ASCPi credentials into MLS ASCP/ASCPi.
MT ASCP vs MLS ASCP: How to Apply?
- To apply for the MLS ASCP certificate, you need to go to the ASCP website.
- Open your ASCP account after login, if you do not have one, make sure to create one first.
- Add all authentic information and avoid creating a duplicate account.
- Click on the “Apply Now” button to get the application form.
- Choose your certificate category (MT/MLS ASCP) and eligibility route (here 6 routes (5 for international) will be mentioned; you need to choose one as a U.S. applicant).
- Confirm your contact information.
- Make sure to complete your application attentively; enter all the documentation and make sure the file size does not exceed 10 MB.
- You can save your application to complete it later.
- Submit the fee with the application form submission. The board does not take any action for those applications that will be submitted without a fee.
- The official transcript must be sent directly by your educational institution to the board.
- Make sure to double-check the application form before submitting.
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.
