Getting Your MLS Certification
Information for receiving your Medical Lab Science Certification
By,
Shane Wilson
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Getting Your MLS Certification
Table of Contents
iii
Table of Contents
Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................................................... iii
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................... v
Educational Requirements .............................................................................................................................................3
Option 1: ...................................................................................................................................................................3
Option 2: ...................................................................................................................................................................3
Option 3: ...................................................................................................................................................................4
Option 4: ...................................................................................................................................................................4
Test Information ............................................................................................................................................................7
Signing Up for the Exam............................................................................................................................................7
Cost of Test ...............................................................................................................................................................7
Study Materials .........................................................................................................................................................8
Content of Certification Test .....................................................................................................................................8
Contact Info.............................................................................................................................................................11
Index ............................................................................................................................................................................13
Introduction
Introduction
This is a manual for prospective Medical Laboratory
Scientist. This manual tells of all the requirements and
steps in order to receive an MLS certification. After
reading the manual you will be able to know the
educational requirement for the exam, how much the
test will cost, and what the test will entail.
v
Educational Requirements
Educational Requirements
3
Educational Requirements
There are multiple options to fulfill the educational requirements to get the MLS certification.
In order to be eligible for the exam, the applicant must satisfy the requirements of at least one
of the following options:
Option 1:
The test applicant must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with
courses in biology, chemistry and mathematics. The applicant must successfully complete of a
NAACLS accredited MLS program within the last five years.
Option 2:
The test applicant can have a MLT certification along with a bachelor’s degree from a college or
university. This includes 16 semester hours of biology (with one semester of microbiology), 16
semester hours of chemistry (with one semester in organic chemistry or biochemistry), one
semester of mathematics, and two years of full time clinical laboratory experience in blood
banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology, urinalysis or an accredited
laboratory within the last ten years.
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Getting Your MLS Certification
Option 3:
The test applicant can have a CLA certification along with a bachelor’s degree from a college or
university. This includes 16 semester hours of biology (with one semester in microbiology), 16
semester hours of chemistry (with one semester in organic chemistry or biochemistry), one
semester of mathematics, and four years of full time clinical laboratory experience in blood
banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology, urinalysis or an accredited
laboratory within the last ten years.
Option 4:
The test applicant can have a bachelor’s degree from a college or university. This includes 16
semester hours of biology (with one semester in microbiology), 16 semester hours of chemistry
(with one semester in organic chemistry or biochemistry), one semester of mathematics, and
five years of full time clinical laboratory experience in blood banking, chemistry, hematology,
microbiology, immunology, urinalysis or an accredited laboratory within the last ten years.
Test Information
Test Information
7
Test Information
There are multiple pieces of information that need to be known about the test. The following
section will discuss how to sign up for the exam, the cost of the exam, study materials, what the
certification exam entails, and contact information.
Signing Up for the Exam
The test applicant must send all necessary documentation such as:

Transcript from an accredited college or university

Documentation of clinical training

Documentation of foreign transcript evaluations (if education was received outside of
U.S.)
Carefully review the eligibility requirements of the certification to make sure that the applicant
meets all the requirements as specified. Then follow the instructions on the application form,
completing all the sections indicated. If you are applying for the examination based on the
completion of a NAACLS or CAAHEP accredited program, the applicant’s school code number
must be indicated. Applications sent by mail must include application fee either by money
order or check (not cash).
Cost of Test
The MLS certification test has a $225 application fee that should be sent to the ASCP Board of
Certification.
ASPC Board of Certification
33 W. Monroe Street, Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60603
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Getting Your MLS Certification
Study Materials
Study materials in preparation for the MLS exam are as follows:

BOC Study Guide App

BOC Study Guide for Clinical Laboratory Certification
Examinations Fifth Edition (Figure 2.1)
(Figure 2.1)
Content of Certification Test
Test of Knowledge
The test applicant needs an understanding of the scientific principles of laboratory testing along
with the technical, procedural, and problem-solving aspects. The applicant has a general
understanding of the multiple factors that affect health and disease, and recognizes the
importance of proper test selection, the numerous causes of discrepant test results, and ethics
including test result confidentiality. The applicant correlates abnormal lab data with pathologic
states, determines how valid the test results, and the need for additional tests. The applicant
must understand and enforce regular requirements, safety regulations, use of statistic methods
and apply business and economic data in decision making. Lastly, the applicant appreciates
other health related fields and follows the code of ethics for the profession.
Test of Technical Skills
The applicant can perform a range of chemical, microbiologic, immunologic, hematologic, and
immunohematologic lab procedures. They must also participate in evaluation of new
techniques and procedures in the lab.
Test Information
Test of Problem Solving and Analytical Skills
The applicant will have the ability to show initiative and independent judgement while dealing
with the broad scope of procedures and technical problems. They will be able to participate in
the responsibility of decision making involving: quality control/quality assurance programs,
instrument and methodology selection, preventive maintenance, safety procedures, reagent
purchases, test selection/utilization, research procedures, and computer/statistical data.
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Getting Your MLS Certification
Test Composition Based on Subject
The following table shows the different subjects that compose the test and the percentage that
each subject composes.
Subject
Percent Composition
Blood Bank
17%
Chemistry
21%
Hematology
20%
Immunology
8%
Lab Operations
6%
Microbiology
20%
Urinalysis and Other Body Fluids
8%
Test Information
11
Contact Info
For any further questions you may contact the ASCP by:

Mail: ASPC Board of Certification
33 W. Monroe Street, Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60603

Phone: (312)541-4999

Fax:
(312)541-4998
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Getting Your MLS Certification
Test Information
13
Index
Content of Certification Test, iii, 8
Cost of Test, iii, 7
Educational Requirements, iii, 7, 3
Signing Up for the Exam, iii, 7
Study Materials, 8
Table of Contents, iii
Test Information, iii, 5, 7