Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS)
Achieving an MLS certification from AMT will be professionally valued by laboratory employers.
Thinking about becoming a medical laboratory scientist? Explore the Profession
Want help choosing the application route that’s right for you?
Choose Your Eligibility Route
Bachelor's degree from an accredited MLS program
Education
How to Qualify
For all AMT eligibility routes, clinical rotations encompassing all disciplines are required, either as part of the formal training program or through qualifying work experience. Experience in all disciplines obtained through work experience must be verified, even if portions of that experience fall outside the specified timeframes. Disciplines include Blood Banking, Microbiology, Chemistry, and Hematology.
Applicant shall have graduated with a baccalaureate degree from a NAACLS or accredited MLS program within the last 5 years.
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If graduated more than 5 years ago, a minimum of one year (2,080 hours) of approved clinical laboratory experience within the last 5 years is required.
Review the State Licensure Authorities Recognizing AMT Exams for MLS and MLT(opens in new tab) to see if this applies to you.
*Program or institution must be accredited by either the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) or another programmatic, regional, or national accrediting agency approved by the US Department of Education (DOE), the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or otherwise approved by AMT.
Required Documentation
Copy of your college transcripts showing completion of a baccalaureate degree in Medical Laboratory Science.
If Graduated 5+ Years Ago:
MLS Employment Verification Form(opens in new tab) documenting one year of relevant, full-time laboratory experience within the last 5 years in a laboratory that performs the chemical, physical, or biological examination of human body fluids and tissues.
- Experience MUST include at least one discipline among Blood Banking, Microbiology, Chemistry, or Hematology
- Work requirement is full-time at 40 hours/week (part-time combination allowed)
- Covid testing or research experience is not accepted
Bachelor's degree plus accredited MLT program or military laboratory training
MLT or Military
How to Qualify
For all AMT eligibility routes, clinical rotations encompassing all disciplines are required, either as part of the formal training program or through qualifying work experience. Experience in all disciplines obtained through work experience must be verified, even if portions of that experience fall outside the specified timeframes. Disciplines include blood banking, microbiology, chemistry, and hematology.
Applicant shall have graduated with a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution* or an equivalent degree from a foreign institution
AND completed either an accredited medical laboratory technician program*
OR a 50-week US military medical laboratory training program within the last 5 years.
- If graduated more than 5 years ago, a minimum of one year (2,080 hours) of approved clinical laboratory experience within the last 5 years is required.
*Program or institution must be accredited by a regional or national accreditation agency approved by the US Department of Education (DOE), the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or otherwise approved by AMT.
Required Documentation
Copy of your college transcripts showing completion of a baccalaureate degree AND
- Completion of an accredited medical laboratory technician (MLT) program (MLT Applicants ONLY) OR
- Joint Services Transcript (JST) showing graduation from a formal training program (Military Applicants ONLY)
If Graduated 5+ Years Ago:
MLS Employment Verification Form(opens in new tab) documenting one year of relevant, full-time laboratory experience within the last 5 years in a laboratory that performs the chemical, physical, or biological examination of human body fluids and tissues.
- Experience MUST include at least one discipline among Blood Banking, Microbiology, Chemistry, or Hematology
- Work requirement is full-time at 40 hours/week (part-time combination allowed)
- Covid testing or research experience is not accepted
Request Military Transcripts
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For the Army, Navy, Marines, or Coast Guard – Request your Joint Services Transcript (JST)(opens in new tab)
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For the Air Force or Space Force – Request your transcripts through Parchment(opens in new tab)
Bachelor's degree, 48 semester hours, and clinical laboratory experience
Alternate Education
How to Qualify
For all AMT eligibility routes, clinical rotations encompassing all disciplines are required, either as part of the formal training program or through qualifying work experience. Experience in all disciplines obtained through work experience must be verified, even if portions of that experience fall outside the specified timeframes. Disciplines include blood banking, microbiology, chemistry, and hematology.
Applicant shall have graduated with a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution* or an equivalent degree from a foreign institution, with at least forty-eight (48) semester hours of either medical laboratory technology / clinical laboratory science courses OR various subjects related to the clinical laboratory sciences.
AND shall have completed a minimum of one year (2,080 hours) of approved clinical laboratory experience within the last 5 years.
*Program or institution must be accredited by a regional or national accreditation agency approved by the US Department of Education (DOE), the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or otherwise approved by AMT.
Required Documentation
Copy of your college transcripts showing completion of a baccalaureate degree and at least 48 semester hours of either
- Medical laboratory technology / clinical laboratory science courses OR
- Various subjects related to the Clinical Laboratory Sciences, such as General Biology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, etc.
MLS Employment Verification Form(opens in new tab) documenting one year of relevant, full-time laboratory experience within the last 5 years.
Clinical rotations in all major disciplines are required through training or qualifying work experience, and all disciplines must be verified, even if portions occurred outside the five-year timeframe. Disciplines include blood banking, microbiology, chemistry, and hematology.
- Work requirement is full-time at 40 hours/week (part-time combination allowed)
- Covid testing or research experience is not accepted
Degrees from Foreign Institutions:
Course-by-course evaluation report of a foreign transcript by one of the evaluation services listed on our website.
Apply & Prepare
Apply
If you are eligible, you can apply.
Application Fee*
MLS $245
MLS International $225
- *Fees are non-refundable and include application, exam and first annual fee.
Take the Exam
Once you receive approval notice from AMT, you can schedule your exam.
- If you are taking the exam at school, your instructor will provide the exam date and time.
- If you are taking the exam at a Pearson Professional Assessments testing center location, you will schedule your own exam.