Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant (CMLA)

A medical laboratory assistant is a healthcare professional trained to perform clinical laboratory duties, assist with laboratory procedures, handle specimens, and support laboratory operations in medical settings.

Yes. If you graduated from your qualifying CMLA program more than five years ago, you must submit: 

Transcripts showing completion of the qualifying program. 

A CMLA Employment Verification Form documenting at least six months of full-time clinical laboratory experience within the last three years. 

The Medical Laboratory Assistant Competency Checklist. 

The experience must involve preparing, handling, or processing human specimens, including body fluids and tissues.

The timeline depends on the eligibility route. Students may qualify after completing an approved training program, while working professionals may qualify through documented laboratory experience.

For the Work Experience Route, you must document at least 1,040 hours of qualifying experience completed within the last three years. Laboratory technology must have been the primary focus, and at least 520 hours must have involved clinical laboratory duties. 

Qualifying duties include preparing, handling, or processing human specimens, including body fluids and tissues. The experience must be documented using the CMLA Employment Verification Form. 

The CMLA Employment Verification Form documents the applicant’s qualifying clinical laboratory employment or teaching experience. The appropriate employer or authorized representative must complete and return the form according to the instructions provided. 

A medical laboratory assistant assists in various areas of the laboratory collecting, preparing, and processing samples. The laboratory assistant provides support through administrative tasks, basic lab techniques of loading samples into instruments, preparing slides, and reviewing results. medical laboratory assistant are open to career paths leading to medical laboratory technician, and medical laboratory scientist roles, among others.

The career of a medical laboratory assistant typically starts with an accredited training program or education, followed by certification with AMT. Medical laboratory assistants can advance careers through specialization, leadership roles, or progressing to higher level laboratory roles.

According to ZipRecruiter, the estimated annual salary for a clinical laboratory assistant in the United States is about $54,501. Salaries may vary depending on location, employer, experience, and education.

Required documents vary by eligibility route. Review the eligibility routes above to determine which route applies to you and confirm the documents you need before applying.

Yes. The non-refundable application fee includes the application, certification examination, and first annual renewal fee. 

Yes, students in their final semester or those finishing their externship can begin the application process. However, final transcripts are needed after graduation.