American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)

Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS (ASCP)

Credential: Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS (ASCP)  In-Demand resource  ANSI resource
Credentialing Agency: American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)

Renewal Period: 3 years

The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS(ASCP) is a high level certification. Medical Laboratory Scientists are healthcare professionals who perform chemical, hematological, immunologic, histopathological, cytopathological, microscopic, and bacteriological diagnostic analyses on body fluids such as blood, urine, sputum, stool, cerebrospinal fluid, peritoneal fluid, pericardial fluid, and synovial fluid, as well as other specimens. Medical laboratory scientists work in clinical laboratories at hospitals, reference labs, biotechnology labs and non-clinical industrial labs. To be eligible for this examination, an applicant must have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree or higher from a regionally accredited college/university and five years of full-time acceptable clinical experience in blood banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology, and urinalysis/body fluids in the U.S., Canada or an accredited laboratory within the last ten years.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS (ASCP)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

 

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite
  • Experience: 5 years
  • Education: Bachelors
  • Training
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for becoming eligible. Listed are the minimum requirements based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: 3 years

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)

33 West Monroe Street
Suite 1600
Chicago, IL  60603

Phone: (800) 267-2727

Fax: (312) 541-4472
Contact Page

Education and/or Experience REQUIREMENTS

Route 1:

Candidate must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university including courses in biological science, chemistry and mathematics, AND successful completion of a NAACLS accredited Medical Laboratory Scientist program within the last five years.

Route 2:

Candidate must have  MLT(ASCP) certification, AND a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university, including 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of biological science (with one semester in microbiology), 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of chemistry (with one semester in organic or biochemistry), one semester (one quarter) of mathematics, AND two years of full time acceptable clinical laboratory experience in blood banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology, and urinalysis/body fluids in the U.S, Canada or an accredited laboratory within the last four years.

Route 3:

Candidate must have  CLA(ASCP) certification, AND a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university, including 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of biological science (with one semester in microbiology), 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of chemistry (with one semester in organic or biochemistry), one semester (one quarter) of mathematics, AND four years of full time acceptable clinical laboratory experience in blood banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology, and urinalysis/body fluids in the U.S., Canada or an accredited laboratory within the last eight years.

CLA(ASCP) certification was discontinued in 1982. Only applicants previously certified as CLA(ASCP) may apply under Route 3.

Route 4:

Candidate must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university, including 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of biological science (with one semester in microbiology), 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of chemistry (with one semester in organic or biochemistry), one semester (one quarter) of mathematics, AND five years of full time acceptable clinical laboratory experience in blood banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology, and urinalysis/body fluids in the U.S., Canada or an accredited laboratory within the last ten years.

An accredited laboratory is one that has a CMS CLIA certificate of registration, compliance, accreditation; JCI accreditation; or Accreditation under ISO 15189.

Written Exam

  • Blood Bank (17-22%)
    • Blood Group Systems
      • Genetics
      • Chemistry, Antigens
      • Role of Blood Groups in Transfusion
    • Antibody Screen and Identification
      • Antibody Screen
      • Antibody Identification
    • Crossmatch and Special Tests
      • Crossmatch
      • Special Tests
    • Blood Donation, Transfusion Therapy, Transfusion Reactions and Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN)
      • Blood Donation
      • Transfusion Therapy
      • Transfusion Reactions
      • HDFN
  • Urinalysis & Other Body Fluids (5-10%)
    • Urinalysis
      • Physical
      • Chemical
      • Microscopic
      • Physiology
    • Other Body Fluids (Qualitative & Quantitative)
      • CSF
      • Amniotic, Synovial, Serous, Semen and Feces
  • Chemistry (17-22%)
    • Carbohydrates, Acid Base and Electrolytes
      • Carbohydrates
      • Acid Base
      • Electrolytes
    • Proteins and Other Nitrogen-Containing Compounds
      • Protein and Other Nitrogen-Containing Compounds
      • Heme Derivatives
    • Enzymes, Lipids and Lipoproteins
      • Enzymes
      • Lipids and Lipoproteins
    • Special Chemistry (Endocrinology, Tumor Markers, TDM, Toxicology)
      • Endocrinology and Tumor Markers
      • TDM and Toxicology
  • Hematology (17-22%)
    • Erythrocytes and Leukocytes
      • Red Blood Cells and Indices
      • White Blood Cells
      • CBC (includes count, morphology and/or differential)
    • Other Tests
      • Reticulocyte Count and Other RBC Inclusions
      • ESR
      • Tests for Hemoglobin Defects
      • RBC enzymes (e.g. G-6PD)
      • Other (e.g., immunophenotyping, cytogenetics)
    • Morphology and Differentials
      • Red Blood Cell Morphology
      • White Blood Cell Morphology
      • Differential (Whole Blood and Bone Marrow)
      • Platelet Morphology
    • Platelets and Hemostasis
      • Platelets
      • Hemostasis
  • Immunology (5-10%)
    • Immunity
      • Autoimmunity
      • Immune Responses
      • Physiology of the Immune System
    • Infectious Diseases
      • Viral
      • Microbial
  • Microbiology (17-22%)
    • Aerobic Gram-positive Cocci
      • Aerobic Gram-positive Cocci: Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, other (e.g., Gemella, Leuconostoc, Micrococcus, Aerococcus)
    • Gram-negative Bacilli
      • Enterobacteriaceae (e.g., Citrobacter, Escherichia, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Morganella, Proteus, Providencia, Salmonella, Serratia, Shigella, Yersinia)
      • Other Gram-negative Bacilli (e.g., Acinetobacter, Aeromonas, Bordetella, Brucella, Campylobacter, Eikenella, Francisella, Haemophilus, Helicobacter, Legionella, Pasteurella, Plesiomonas, Pseudomonas, Burkholderia) Stenotrophomonas, Chryseobacterium, Vibrio, HACEK, Bartonella, Capnocytophaga
    • Gram-negative Cocci, Gram-positive Bacilli and Anaerobes
      • Aerobic Gram-negative Cocci (e.g., Neisseria, Moraxella)
      • Aerobic or Facultative Gram-positive Bacilli (e.g., Bacillus, Corynebacterium, Erysipelothrix Gardnerella, Lactobacillus, Listeria, Nocardia, Streptomyces)
      • Anaerobes
    • Fungus, Viruses, Mycobacteria and Parasites
      • Fungi
      • Mycobacteria
      • Viruses and Other Microorganisms
      • Parasites
  • Laboratory Operations (5-10%)
    • Quality Assessment/Troubleshooting
      • Pre-Analytical, Analytical, Post-Analytical
      • Quality Control
      • Compliance
      • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Management
      • Purchasing
      • Inventory Control
      • Competency
    • Laboratory Mathematics
    • Instrumentation
    • Education and Communication
    • Laboratory Information Systems
    • Molecular Techniques

RECERTIFICATION

Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS (ASCP)

Renewal Period: 3 years

The Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS (ASCP) credential has the following recertification information:

  • Medical Laboratory Specialists must complete 36 Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) points including 1 point in laboratory or patient safety (i.e., quality control, quality assurance); 2 points in each of the following: blood banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology; and remaining points in area(s) of lab specialty, immunology, molecular diagnostics, management, education, or other related laboratory areas of interest.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

COOL Summary

Click to go to the COOL Summary page for this MOC.

Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

Promotion Points

This certification has been approved for promotion points.

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Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Proponent Funded

Indicates the credential may have funding through the MOS proponent. Some proponents offer credentialing opportunities in conjunction with military training and/or as part of MOS development beyond the training base.

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Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click 'Complete Voucher and Apply' at the top of any page.

CG Bucks

Coming Soon - Coast Guard policy regarding service member eligibility requirements to participate in the Voluntary Credentialing Program is under review with a projected release date of first quarter FY20.

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 and Above

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 and Above

LaDR

This credential is recommended on the rating Learning and Development Roadmap (LaDR) for Sailors currently in the pay grade indicated on the icon, BUT MAY BE TAKEN BY SAILORS IN OTHER PAY GRADES.

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GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill. Click for external link to GI Bill licensing and certification information.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

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ANSI

This credential has been accredited by ANSI. Click for external link to the ANSI web site.

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ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC. Click for external link to the ICAC web site.

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ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC. Click for external link to the ABSNC web site.

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NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA. Click for external link to the NCCA web site.

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IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS. Click for external link to the IAS web site.

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Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: mimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty

Army e-learning

State-of-the art Computer Based Training available for free to the Army Workforce. Click for more information.

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NKO e-learning

Credential preparation courses are provided at no cost through Navy e-Learning. Click for external link to the Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) web site, then select the “Navy e-Learning” link within the “Learning” tab to proceed to Navy e-Learning.

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
Registered Apprenticeship
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
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Updated: October 16, 2019
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