Medical Lab Scientist Certification Guide

Lab scientists are essential healthcare professionals who process blood work and other laboratory tests. The results of these lab tests are crucial to the diagnosis, treatment, and research of many illnesses and diseases. Accurate, timely, and safe lab work is needed in all aspects of healthcare.

Are you beginning your journey toward a career as a lab scientist? Congrats! This field is in demand and is only expected to grow! Lab scientist certification and licensure are essential steps in this process. Certification is a requirement for many lab scientist jobs, and licensure is required in several US states. Don’t miss our state-by-state guide below!  

First, we’ll discuss the advantages of obtaining your medical lab scientist certification and ensure you know what to do to get started. See our Lab Scientist Career Guide for even more need-to-know tips!

Why Certification Matters in Laboratory Science

Your medical laboratory scientist certification is an invaluable asset to your career. Professional certification is a requirement for a considerable amount of lab scientist roles. Certification leads to improved pay, elevated career growth, and recognizes you as an expert in medical laboratory science.

Advantages of Being a Certified Medical Lab Scientist

Opportunities abound as a certified medical lab scientist! Certification enables you to earn more income, expand your career options, and easily advance into leadership and administrative roles.    

While certification is optional for some lab scientist jobs, it is a requirement for many. If you are interested in traveling as a lab scientist, certification is a requirement to travel with Trusted Health. Now, let’s learn about the steps you need to take to get started on your certification.  

General Requirements to Become a Lab Scientist

To become a medical lab scientist, you must begin with a high school diploma. Here’s what to do next:

• Achieve a bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science from a NAACLS-accredited school. This typically takes four years. (National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences).
• Your employer may require lab scientist certification, and your state of residence may require licensure. Be sure to research specific requirements for the positions that interest you.  
• Once you finish your degree and obtain lab scientist certification and licensure as needed, you can begin your lab scientist job search!

General Requirements for Becoming a Lab Scientist that are not State-Specific

Regardless of where you work as a lab scientist, a high school diploma and bachelor's degree are needed. Your degree program will ensure you have the necessary classroom and hands-on training needed to prepare you to work in this field. Most lab scientist jobs also require Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR and blood-borne pathogen training.

What Certifications Do You Need for a Lab Scientist?

Lab scientist certification can be a requirement for many jobs. While it is not always mandatory, it is one of the best steps you can take to get the most out of your career. If you choose to travel with Trusted, either MLS ASCP or AMT certifications are required.

Medical lab scientists are also known as medical lab technologists, and lab scientist certification is also called medical technologist certification. Here is an overview of the two most common certifications, the MLS ASCP and MLS AMT. The ASCP certification is considered the gold standard, and AMT certification is also recognized.

What is the MLS ASCP Certification?

The Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) credential is offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).

• The ASCP Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions of varying difficulty and must be completed within 2 hours and 30 minutes.

• There is no standard number of correct questions needed to pass. Passing depends on the tester’s ability to answer a certain percentage correctly at a set difficulty level.
• The exam fee is $250 and is non-refundable.
• The MLS ASCP credential must be renewed every three years, or the credential will expire.

What is the AMT Certification?

The Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) credential is also offered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT).

• The AMT Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) exam has 210 questions on varying lab scientist subjects. You will have 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete your test.
• Like the ASCP exam, no standard number of correct questions is needed to pass. The tester must answer a certain number of questions of a certain difficulty level.
• The exam fee is $245 and is non-refundable.
• The MLS AMT credential must be renewed every three years, or the credential will expire.

When seeking certification, be sure to denote the difference between a lab technologist and a lab technician! A medical lab scientist is also called a lab technologist. Technicians typically earn a two-year associates degree, and can earn an Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) certification.

Lab Scientist Licensure Requirements by State

Currently, ten states require medical lab scientist or medical technologist license. The path to licensure in each state is slightly different, and you can find the most up-to-date information on each state’s website, which are linked below. Licensure requirements may include education, certification, an application, and associated fees.

License-Required States and their Guidelines

• California
  • Temporary/Limited Permit: No/Yes
  • Initial Licensing Fee: $230
  • Renewal: $179, every two years
  • More Information: CA Department of Public Health

• Hawaii
  • Temporary/Limited Permit: No/No
  • Initial Licensing Fee: $65
  • Renewal: $25, every two years
  • More Information: HI Department of Health

• Florida
  • Temporary/Limited Permit: No/No
  • Initial Licensing Fee: $100
  • Renewal: $95, annually
  • More Information: FL Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel

• Louisiana
  • Temporary/Limited Permit: Yes/No
  • Initial Licensing Fee: $65
  • Renewal: See website for further details.
  • More Information: LA Board of Medical Examiners

• Montana
  • Temporary/Limited Permit: Yes/No
  • Initial Licensing Fee: $100
  • Renewal: $100, annually
  • More Information: MT Department of Labor & Industry

• Nevada
  • Temporary/Limited Permit: No/No
  • Initial Licensing Fee: See website for more information
  • Renewal: See website for more information
  • More Information: NV Department of Health and Human Services

• New York
  • Temporary/Limited Permit: No/Yes
  • Initial Licensing Fee: $245
  • Renewal: $170, annually
  • More Information: NY State Office of the Professions

• North Dakota
  • Temporary/Limited Permit: No/No
  • Initial Licensing Fee: $20-$100, varies based on if issued in even or odd-numbered years. See fee schedule on website.
  • Renewal: Every two years, in even-numbered years.
  • More Information: ND Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice

• Tennessee
  • Temporary/Limited Permit: Yes/Yes
  • Initial Licensing Fee: $60
  • Renewal: Every two years, on licensee’s birthday.
  • More Information: TN Department of Health

• West Virginia
  • Temporary/Limited Permit: No/No
  • Initial Licensing Fee: $25
  • Renewal: $25, annually
  • More Information: WV Department of Health

What Comes Next After Lab Scientist Certification?

Certification is always worth it! When you obtain your clinical lab scientist certification, be sure to celebrate your accomplishment. You should be proud of your hard work and dedication to your profession. Be sure to remember to renew your credential before it expires.

If you reside in a state that requires a medical lab scientist license, follow the steps needed to obtain licensure before beginning your job search. Similar to certification, your license requires renewal as well. Continue to expand your knowledge and develop your skills once you start working as a medical lab scientist!

Find a Lab Scientist Job with Trusted Health

At Trusted, we offer our traveling healthcare professionals premium pay, competitive benefits, and unparalleled clinical support. Search MLT travel jobs and begin your journey as a travel medical lab scientist with Trusted Health today!