Medical Laboratory Technician - MLT

Obtain certification and advance your career in medical laboratory technology with our specialized credential.

Collects, processes, and performs routine laboratory tests in blood banking, chemistry, hematology, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, and/or urinalysis on biologic specimens to provide information necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

ASCP and ASCPi Pathways

Attaining an American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC) credential requires a laboratory professional or other expert to meet specific education, training, and/or experience standards and to successfully pass an examination demonstrating knowledge and applied skills. The ASCP BOC offers ASCP and ASCPi credentials based on distinct eligibility requirements. All candidates must carefully compare credentialing options. Additional information is available about the similarities and differences between similarities and differences between ASCP and ASCPi credentials and ASCPi credentials.

Eligibility Routes

Each credential has specific eligibility requirements, which are different for ASCP and ASCPi. It’s your responsibility to confirm that your education, training, and/or experience meet the criteria. Submit the correct documentation with your application. Once submitted, the category and route of application cannot be changed.

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Trying to decide between ASCP and ASCPi?

Medical Laboratory Technician – MLT(ASCP)

An applicant must be able to verify that they meet all eligibility requirements, including education, training, and/or experience. For complete information, see the Documentation section of the website. 

Education does not need to be from the United States. Details are available by reviewing the webpage titled Acceptable Education, also available in the routes below. 

To be eligible for this examination category, an applicant must satisfy the minimum requirements (for degrees, the stated degree or higher) of at least one of the following routes:

An applicant must be able to verify that they meet all eligibility requirements, including education, training, and/or experience. For complete information, see the  Documentation section of the website. 

Education needs to be equivalent to education from the United States. Details are available by reviewing the webpage titled  Acceptable Education, also available in the routes below. 

To be eligible for this examination category, an applicant must satisfy the minimum requirements (for degrees, the stated degree or higher) of at least one of the following routes: 

    • AND successful completion of a NAACLS or ABHES-accredited Medical Laboratory Technician program within the last 5 years. 

    The education received from a NAACLS or ABHES-accredited Medical Laboratory Technician program is acceptable for a period of 5 years from the date of completion of that program. 

  • As of January 1, 2023, MLT Route 2, requiring valid CLA(ASCP) certification, has been discontinued. 
    • AND successful completion of a 50-week U.S. military medical laboratory training course# within the last 10 years.


    #Official documentation of your military code (NEC, MOS, AFSC code or 68K), official certificate verifying completion of training, or an official copy of your DD214 form, SRB, or ERB must be uploaded in PDF format as part of completing the online application.

    • AND 3 years of full-time acceptable clinical* experience^ in blood banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology, and urinalysis/body fluids in an acceptable laboratory within the last 6 years that must be documented on this Experience Documentation Form and, if appropriate, this Program Completion Documentation Form.

      An applicant must have experience in all required areas; however, they do not need to have 3 full years of experience in each area.


    *Acceptable Clinical Laboratory:
    CMS CLIA certificate of registration, compliance, accreditation;
    OR DoD CLIP certificate of registration, compliance, accreditation;
    OR JCI accreditation;
    OR Accreditation under ISO 15189.

    ^Successful completion of a NAACLS-accredited MLS program, NAACLS or ABHES-accredited MLT program, or a foreign medical laboratory science clinical training program within the last 5 years can be used in lieu of 1 year of full-time acceptable clinical experience. In addition, this will count as completion of 1 semester of organic or biochemistry and must be documented on this Program Completion Documentation Form.

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    *Accredited/approved by a governing regulatory association or Ministry. Countries without a prevalent system of accreditation/approval must have programs/educational institutions approved by an International Advisory Board appointed by the ASCP Board of Certification, or eligibility will be determined by an acceptable transcript evaluation. The foreign degree must be equivalent to a U.S. degree.

    $Degrees/Diplomas in Medical Laboratory Science include Medical Laboratory Science, Medical Technology, Clinical Laboratory Science, and Biomedical Laboratory Science.


  • *Accredited/approved by a governing regulatory association or Ministry. Countries without a prevalent system of accreditation/approval must have programs/educational institutions approved by an International Advisory Board appointed by the ASCP Board of Certification, or eligibility will be determined by an acceptable transcript evaluation. The foreign degree must be equivalent to a U.S. degree.

  • An applicant must have experience in all required areas; however, they do not need to have 3 full years of experience in each area.


    *Accredited/approved by a governing regulatory association or Ministry. Countries without a prevalent system of accreditation/approval must have programs/educational institutions approved by an International Advisory Board appointed by the ASCP Board of Certification, or eligibility will be determined by an acceptable transcript evaluation. The foreign degree must be equivalent to a U.S. degree.

    #Clinical laboratory accredited by JCI, CAP, under ISO 15189 or authorized by a governing regulatory association or Ministry. Countries without a prevalent system of accreditation must have laboratories approved by an International Advisory Board appointed by the ASCP Board of Certification.

Application Fee (non-refundable): $225

Apply for MLT(ASCP)

Beginning January 1, 2026, application fees for all ASCP certification examinations will increase by $10.

Application Fee (non-refundable): $225

Apply for MLT(ASCPi)

Reduced pricing is available for those educated and residing in low-to-middle income countries

Beginning January 1, 2026, application fees for all ASCPi certification examinations will increase by $10, except for those educated and residing in low-to-middle income countries.

Information About Required Documentation

You must upload the appropriate documentation form when you apply online, verifying that you meet the training and/or experience requirements for your category and route of application. You will also need to submit an acceptable transcript or transcript evaluation verifying that you meet the academic requirements. Gather your documents before submitting your application and application fee.

Apply

Once you have confirmed that you meet the requirements and have gathered your documents, submit your online application.

SBB(ASCP)SBB(ASCPi)

Coming Soon! Digital Badges

In early 2026, the ASCP BOC will launch digital badging through Credly, a trusted provider that increases the visibility of ASCP BOC credential holders by securely showcasing and sharing professional credentials. Learn more about digital badges.

“I wouldn't have been able to find a career without my ASCP BOC credential.”

- Kathleen Corley, MLT(ASCP)CM