Medical laboratory scientist (MLS ASCP) requirements for certification are the prerequisites determined the Board of Certification (BOC) of The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
Such requirements are determined by the BOC to prequalify candidates to apply for the MLS (ASCP/ ASCPi) certification exam.
ASCP is the world’s most renowned organization focusing on education, awareness and certification about the basic tasks regarding medical lab professionals.
It consistently publishes books, medical journals and other manuals including two peer reviewed medical journals, the American Society for Clinical Pathology journal and the labmedicine journal.
The MLS, also known as the ‘Medical Laboratory Scientist’, are medical healthcare professionals who work in laboratories.
They work under the supervision of physicians to whom they report the results of samples and tests.
The ASCP Board of Certification trains and issues certification to both the medical lab scientists from the US and other foreign countries.
To qualify for certification, the applicant is required to verify the official documents i.e. Official transcripts, foreign transcript evaluation (for international candidates) etc.
The MLS Applicant must satisfy at least one of the below mentioned routes below Acc. to BOC.
(The applicant must know the basics i.e. analyzing blood, body fluids, blood banking Utilizing microscopes)
(Applicants with MLS ASCPi certificate are not required to attempt the certificate examination.)
A Medical Laboratory Scientists must be able to authenticate that he/she does have the required experience in order to be eligible for MLS ASCP certification.
MLS route 2-6 requires one to five years clinical experience (depending upon the route) from an acceptable laboratory in the last five years.
The ASCP issues an experience documentation form that is required to be filled by the applicant and the supervisor.
The first part of the form needs to be filled by the applicant, where he/she will add their name, address, city and email address.
The second part needs to be filled by the immediate supervisor or the laboratory management.
In the second part, the supervisor is asked to see if the applicant has the required competence in various areas of experience.
The applicant must have a letter of authenticity from the supervisor with the experience documentation form.
For MLS Program Completion (Routes 2, 3, and 4), The applicant can download the program completion form and fill it as per instructions below.
The first part of the form is to be filled by the applicant where he/she must add information such as name, address, city, zip code, email address etc.
The second part is to be completed and signed by the program director.
The program director must testify that the applicant has Successfully completed NAACLS accredited MLS program, or a laboratory science clinical training program from an acceptable medical laboratory in the last five years
The applicant is also advised to attach a letter of authenticity from the director of the program along with the program completion documentation.
The letter must be printed on the original letterhead and must be signed and dated by the program director.
To qualify for the MLS ASCPi, the applicant must meet all the requirements including educational background, experience and training.
The MLS Applicant must satisfy at least one of the below mentioned routes. (The degrees in Medical Laboratory Science include Medical Technology, Medical Laboratory Science, Clinical Laboratory Science, and Biomedical Laboratory Science.)
A Medical Laboratory Scientists must be able to authenticate that he/she does have the required experience in order to be eligible for MLS ASCPi certification.
MLS ASCP route 2,4 and 5 requires three to five years clinical experience (depending upon the route) from an acceptable laboratory.
The ASCP issues an experience documentation form, for all the international applicants, that is required to be filled by the applicant and his/her employer or the laboratory management.
The first part of the form needs to be filled by the applicant, where he/she will add their name, address, email address and ASCP Customer ID.
The second part needs to be filled by the applicant’s employer or the laboratory management.
The laboratory management is tasked to verify the competence of the applicant in four areas, including Blood Banking, chemistry, microbiology, hematology.
The applicant must have a letter of authenticity from the laboratory management or the employer with the experience documentation form.
The International applicant must submit the relevant Training Documentation Form (Routes 1 & 3) in order to be eligible for the MLS ASCPi certification.
The applicant can download the program completion form and fill it as per instructions below.
The first part of the form is to be filled by the applicant where he/she must add information such as applicant’s name and name of the program.
The second part is to be completed and signed by the program director.
The program director must testify that the applicant has Successfully clinical training program from an acceptable foreign medical laboratory.
The applicant is also advised to attach a letter of authenticity from the director of the program along with the program completion documentation.
The letter must be printed on the original letterhead and must be signed and dated by the program director.
To qualify for the MLS certification, the applicant must be competent enough to perform all the tests and procedures mentioned below acc to BOC.
Specimen collection, evaluation, and processing
While studying for the MLS ASCP exam is difficult, a good approach can undo all the hurdles an applicant usually faces.
We are going to discuss things that will help you succeed if followed correctly. Here is how to study for the MLS ASCP exam.
How To Study For MLS ASCP
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Let us explain what that means. The first and foremost thing to do, is to have an image of yourself succeeding in the test. A positive approach towards your desire to succeed can undo most of the complexities
Your plan shouldn't circle around idealistic expectations. Evaluate your energy and make a concrete study plan which can be followed without having to push yourself too hard. You can gradually increase the study time when you get to know your study threshold, then it'll reveal exceptional outcomes
One must spend time with people who have prior experience. Listening to the suggestions of those who have gone through the process will increase your ability to see in practical terms.
This is the most important part of your prep-journey. You don't have to have a month-long schedule, a weekly schedule will break down the course into smaller parts, hence increasing your productivity and motivation
In order to get most out of your prep-phase, you must include mock questions and tests. The mock tests will introduce you to the upcoming test in a more adoptive and practical way
The MLS Academy provides its candidates with all the required test material one needs to succeed in the MLS ASCP exam. The Package inlcludes real time online clases, one unified study material/ source and Q&A
MLS (Medical Laboratory Scientist) are medical healthcare professionals who work in laboratories under the supervision of doctors and physicians. ASCP board of certification issues MLS certifications to both the US and foreign nationals.
The applicant who wishes to pursue his/her career as MLS must have relevant documentation and a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field i.e. chemistry, biomedical science, clinical or medical laboratory science. The applicant must have a prior training experience of 2 to 5 years in chemistry, hematology, blood banking etc.
Buying test prep resources that includes exam outlines, study guides and practice tests. Don’t rush and always select the best answer of the options provided, based on your theory and practice. Make sure to carefully read and understand all the questions before attempting them.
The passing score is 400, on the scale of 0-999.
The test contains 100 questions which are required to be attempted within 2 hours and 30 minutes time.
There is no straight answer to this. The questions in the ASCP test for the MLS are arranged in hierarchy based on the difficulty of each question.
The average fee for the ASCP certification is $200. The fee may vary from $100 to $500, depending upon the type of certification.
The test is difficult but not impossible to pass. This why we encourage you to get the inclusive all-in-one MLS ASCP Prep Package including online classes, study material and Q&A.
which is why it is recommended to go through the test prep resources available on ASCP’s website. More FAQ here.
Abdelhalim Elshawadfy is an ASCP certified Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS ASCP), Specialist in Microbiology (SM ASCP), and Molecular Biology Technologist (MB ASCP) with a distinguished career marked by expertise, continuous learning, and a commitment to elevating the standards of clinical laboratory science. As an ASCP Certification Expert and American Board Certification Expert, Abdelhalim Elshawadfy continues to make invaluable contributions to the field, leaving a lasting impact on the medical community.
