ASCP MLT Vs MLS: What the Difference is?
A lot of people are confused about ASCP MLT Vs MLS and is considered these titles explain the same career.
Although MLT and MLS ASCP-certified individuals work in the same setting and have almost similar responsibilities, they are distinguished by their level of education.
This blog post will explain the clear information about ASCP MLT vs MLS.
Read all carefully.
ASCP MLT Vs MLS: Inclusive Overview
The ASCP Board of Certification is a great organization that awards certificates to the entire lab team.
The ASCP BOC conducts its certification exam every year.
All these certificates are specific for lab technologists, specialists, technicians, pathologists, and scientists.
To understand all about ASCP MLT Vs MLS, you need to know these ASCP certifications specificities:
- MLT ASCP; It is for medical lab technicians
- MLS ASCP: This certificate is for medical lab scientists
ASCP MLT Vs MLS: Side by Side Comparison
The following table describes the complete information about ASCP MLT vs MLS:
| ASCP Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) | ASCP Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) | |
| Certificate Type | MLT (ASCP): for U.S. candidatesMLT (ASCPi): for international candidates | MLS ASCP: for United States lab professionalsMLS (ASCPi): for foreign laboratory professionals |
| Exam Content Area | 7 subjects including, chemistry, blood bank, immunology, hematology, lab operation, urinalysis and other body fluids, and microbiology | 7 exam content areas including, blood banking, chemistry, laboratory operation, immunology, urinalysis/other body fluids, and hematology. |
| Certificate Validation Period | 3 years | 3 years |
| Exam format | CAT (computer adaptive testing), 100 questions (MCQs), 2 hours and 30 minutes to cover the full exam | CAT, 100 multiple-choice questions, 120 minutes time to ace the exam |
| Eligibility Requirements | 4 routes for MLT (ASCP) 3 routes of MLT (ASCPi) | 6 paths for MLS (ASCP) 5 paths for MLS (ASCPi) |
| Degree’s Education | Associate degree (2 years program) | A bachelor’s degree (4 years program) |
| Recertification program | CMP (Credential Maintenance Program; Have to participate after three years of a obtaining certificate | CMP: have to face after three years of getting a license |
| Eligibility requirements for ASCP certification renewal process | 36 continuing education (CE) credits | 36 points |
| Salary | According to the Board of Certification; A certified ASCP medical lab technician can earn $77K per year (average wage) MLT Satff: $24 per hour Lead MLT: $23 per hourMLT supervisor: $29.71 per hr | According to the ASCP Wage Survey An MLS ASCP-certified can earn around the following based on their post MLS director: $111,148.39MLS Manager: $94, 932.95Supervisor: $85,501.95MLS Lead: $74,282.96 |
| Job Responsibilities | Analyze body fluids, including blood, urineExamine blood specimens for transfusionsStarlize and calibrate the medical laboratory devicesEnter test results into patients’s history | Analyze findings and offer accurate resultsExamine biological specimens for chemical contentProvide result information to researchers and physiciansLeads other lab professionals. Including medical lab technician |
| Expected Job Growth | It is expected to increase the job rate by 7% from 2019 to 2029. It is 4% higher than all other medical lab fields. | It is expected to raise job growth to 7% from 2019-2029. |
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.
