Becoming a Medical Laboratory Technician: Education, Career, and Certification

Medical laboratory technicians (MLTs) play a crucial role in modern healthcare. By performing tests and analyzing patient samples, they provide vital information that doctors and other healthcare professionals rely on for diagnosis and treatment. U.S. News & World Report recognizes the value of this profession, ranking it highly among healthcare support jobs. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the education, career prospects, and certification requirements for becoming a medical laboratory technician.

The Role of a Medical Laboratory Technician

Medical laboratory technicians utilize specialized medical instruments and technology to conduct tests and analyses on specimens taken from patients. Their work is essential for:

Diagnosing diseases
Monitoring the patient's treatment
Developing data used by a physician to determine the presence and extent of disease.

MLTs perform routine medical laboratory tests on tissue, blood, and other body fluids to assist physicians in diagnosing and treating diseases. They perform clinical laboratory procedures in chemistry, blood banking, microbiology, immunology, hematology, coagulation, and other areas of the clinical laboratory.

Hands-on problem-solving is a daily part of a medical laboratory technician’s duties, as they analyze patient samples and produce accurate test results. They use advanced laboratory equipment and have the opportunity to work in many different settings as part of the healthcare team.

Educational Pathways to Becoming an MLT

A career as a medical laboratory technician typically begins with formal education. Here's a breakdown of the educational requirements:

Associate's Degree Programs

Most MLTs hold an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology. These programs provide students with marketable skills for entry-level positions. Completing an associate degree program in medical laboratory technology can open additional options such as continuing education and completing a bachelor’s degree.

Curriculum and Coursework

The Medical Laboratory Technician program includes a wholistic curriculum focusing on both theoretical knowledge and practical application. Specific course requirements vary from one program to another. You want courses that prepare you for more than just general lab skills. At Northwestern Health Sciences University (NWHSU), for instance, courses are typically offered in a hybrid format. Meanwhile, other lecture and lab components are integrated within the same on-campus class period.

Hands-on Training

The hands-on component of your medical lab technician education is critical. Your preparation to become a medical lab technician should involve an extensive amount of hands-on work. The final semester of the MLT Program consists of a clinical experience in a real healthcare setting arranged by program faculty. This experience reinforces all the skills learned and developed throughout the program. The student will spend time in clinical laboratories during their course of study to become familiar with the instrumentation, workload and day-to-day operations of the clinical laboratory.

Program Accreditation

When choosing a program, ensure that it is accredited by a recognized organization such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). That means it’s been reviewed by an outside education authority to verify that it meets specific requirements and standards for educational quality. Graduates of NAACLS-accredited MLT programs are often eligible to take the "MLT" ASCP Board of Certification Exam.

Program Admission

Admission is selective and requires that potential students fulfill all College admission requirements. A scheduled interview does not guarantee admission. Upon completion of the admissions interview, the Program Director (or designee) will review and score all applicants with particular attention to:

Cumulative grade point average
Strength of secondary/post-secondary academic curriculum
Allied Health pre-entrance examination score (Kaplan exam)
Personal interview

Additional conditions for acceptance into the program include:

Documentation of a complete physical examination (health form), including required laboratory tests (TB test, proof of immunity). All health information is kept confidential.
Documentation of up to date immunizations prior to clinical assignment. Additional immunizations (e.g., influenza) and antibody titers may be necessary.
Documentation of current health insurance coverage, which must be maintained throughout the Program.
Attendance at scheduled Program orientation prior to entry.
Purchase of MLT student uniform

Program Duration

You can begin a rewarding career in healthcare after two years of formal education. Your actual completion time will take longer if you opt to take courses on a part-time basis. The MLT program is intended to be completed in 18 months beginning in September of each year. In order to progress through the program, students must complete all curriculum courses with a grade of "C" or better and maintain a GPA of 2.25 or higher.

The Importance of Certification

In addition to educational requirements, most employers require medical laboratory technicians to be certified. Technically speaking, many states do not require medical laboratory technicians to be certified. For example, in Minnesota, certification is not required. Without certification, however, you’ll likely have a difficult time securing employment. Given the time, effort, and expense that goes into completing a medical laboratory technician program, it’s generally considered a smart move to acquire certification.

In the medical laboratory technician profession, the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) is the most widely recognized organization that grants certifications. Applicants who are certified before the above dates must re-take the certifying examination.& Please note that the International ASCP Certification version is not acceptable.

What to Look for in a Medical Laboratory Technology Program

Choosing the right medical laboratory technology program is a crucial step toward a successful career. You’ll want to weigh a number of factors as you consider medical laboratory technology programs-and ask lots of questions. The quality of programs will vary. Here are some key considerations:

Accreditation: Ensure the program is accredited by a reputable organization like NAACLS.
Curriculum: Look for a comprehensive curriculum that covers theoretical knowledge and practical application.
Hands-on experience: Prioritize programs that offer extensive hands-on training and clinical experience.
Faculty support: Consider the level of support provided by faculty during class hours.
Course format: Inquire about the format of courses, including the integration of lecture and laboratory components. How often do classes meet? Is there an online component? How does the program handle the lecture and laboratory portions of its courses?
Transparency: A program in medical laboratory technology should be as transparent as possible as it clearly lays out its fees.
Cost: As you consider cost, be sure to include all the other expenses that will be involved in attending. For example, how will you get to school? Make sure you incorporate financial concerns into your search early on. The best place to start is with a school’s financial aid specialists.
Program events: To give you an idea of what a program is like, schools may put on multiple admissions events a year for prospective students.

Finally, here’s an important caveat as you research programs in medical laboratory technology: Don’t simply look for the lowest cost.

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Career Opportunities and Outlook

A Medical Laboratory Technician degree provides opportunities for employment in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics, public health laboratories, reference laboratories, and more. The Medical Laboratory Technician curriculum prepares students for positions as technicians in hospital laboratories, physician offices, pharmaceutical companies, private laboratories or other types of clinical laboratory facilities.

Job Outlook

Job growth and security are high for medical laboratory technicians and scientists. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is currently a shortage of medical lab technicians and scientists in many parts of the country which guarantees ample employment opportunities and sometimes higher salaries for graduates. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. An increase in the population of older adults is expected to lead to a greater need for diagnosing medical conditions, such as cancer or type 2 diabetes, through laboratory procedures. Genetic testing also is being increasingly used to aid the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians will be in demand to perform these laboratory tests and procedures.

Work Environment

Most clinical laboratory technologists and technicians work in healthcare settings such as hospitals, medical and diagnostic laboratories, and doctor’s offices. Generally speaking, medical lab technicians work steady shifts, usually during regular daytime hours, with occasional weekend rotations. Depending on the setting, their work hours may vary; but typically labs are run 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Salary Expectations

The median annual wage for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians was $61,890 in May 2024. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

Advancement Opportunities

With additional training and experience, a medical lab scientist can become a department lead or lab manager. Others may seek specializations to advance their careers. Typically, a medical lab technician will progress to a medical lab scientist with more training.

Skills and Qualities for Success

The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties.

Analytical skills
Detail oriented
Dexterity
Interpersonal skills
Physical stamina

Licensure Requirements

Some states require technologists and technicians to be licensed. Requirements vary by state and specialty. For specific requirements, contact your state department of health or state board of occupational licensing. In some states, licensure requires certification. Individuals may earn certification as a medical laboratory scientist or medical laboratory technician. Completion of an accredited education program is typically required to sit for a certification exam.

Florida Licensure

Florida passed House Bill 975 following the 2024 legislative session, which requires this profession to complete electronic fingerprinting. Your application cannot be approved until this requirement, along with all other licensure criteria, has been met. All applicants for a Technician license must satisfy the requirements for Moderate Complexity Testing under CLIA Amendments.

California Licensure

Thank you for your interest in the California Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) license. Laboratory Field Services (LFS) requires applicants to submit documentation of academic coursework, clinical training, and work experience to qualify for licensure. Please note that biotech/pharmaceutical, forensic, academic, veterinary, research, and student laboratory experience cannot count as work experience or training for any clinical license.

Additional Information

Phlebotomy Certificate Program

The Phlebotomy Certificate consists of one course: MLT 102 - Phlebotomy. MLT 102 is a one-semester course that includes two hours of lecture, three hours of student lab, and eight hours of clinical rotation per week in a hospital laboratory or outpatient facility. The Phlebotomy Certificate is approved by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).* Students who successfully complete the Phlebotomy Certificate are eligible to take the PBT (ASCP) Certification exam. Students are not required to take the certification exam to receive the Phlebotomy Certificate.

Criminal Background Checks/Drug Screening

Any felony conviction within the past 10 years will result in denial of admission to the MLT program. Any felony conviction more than 10 years old will be evaluated based on the nature of the offense, length of time since the offense and any explanatory letters/materials submitted by the applicant or student. Any misdemeanor will be evaluated based on the nature of the offense, length of time since the offense and explanatory letter/materials submitted by the applicant or student. (Any punishment over one year indicates a felony according to federal sentencing guidelines.)

The MLT program requires participation in clinical education. Clinical affiliates of the MLT program require evidence of a negative drug screening test in order for a student to participate in the clinical education part of the MLT program at their facility. Therefore, any student with a positive drug screening test cannot be admitted into the MLT program.

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