Medical Lab Technician (MLT) Schools

While no one can deny the importance of physicians, surgeons, and nurses, several other healthcare professionals work behind the scenes, often unnoticed, making significant contributions to healthcare. Not the least of these is the medical laboratory technician, or MLT, who conducts various lab tests to help diagnose, treat, and monitor conditions as varied as AIDS, cancer, and diabetes.

Entry-level MLTs perform routine clinical lab tests, including hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, serology/immunology, and other diagnostic tests.

Once medical lab technicians have the skills needed for employment, one of the exciting aspects of their job is the ability to work in a wide variety of environments. These can range from hospital labs to research labs, veterinary labs, and public health facilities.

To become eligible for an entry-level position, prospective MLTs typically must complete a minimum of a two-year associate’s degree program. Keep reading for details on MLT programs in the U.S., including online options for working professionals.

Medical Lab Technician fast facts
Projected Jobs Created21,800
Projected Job Growth7 percent
Average Salary$56,130
Low Salary$35,220
High Salary$84,670
Entry-Level EDU Associate's Degree (Technician) or Bachelor's Degree (Technologist)
Sourced from BLS 2022

Medical Lab Technician (MLT) Degree & Certification Programs

Medical lab technicians typically need an associate’s degree to obtain entry-level work in the field, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Most associate degree programs can be completed in about two years, but some fast-track programs are also available to students, particularly those who already have training in a related healthcare field, such as nursing. There are many different programs available in the U.S.

Below are listed just four of the medical lab technician schools offering programs, although there are many more to choose from:

Folsom Lake College

With campuses in Folsom, Placerville, and Rancho Cordova, the MLT program at this California-based school leads to an associate of science (AS) degree in medical technology and can take anywhere between 18 to 24 months to complete. The first two semesters consist of didactic coursework followed by a semester of rotations, but these rotations do not align with the school’s typical fall/spring calendar.

Ten med tech classes, including four practicums, are completed in the program. Sample courses include clinical microbiology; hematology; clinical chemistry; introduction to medical laboratory techniques and skin punctures; and urine and body fluid analysis. Folsom Lake’s MLT degree should help prepare students to sit for the national certifying exam available through the ASCP.

  • Location: Folsom, CA; Placerville, CA; Rancho Cordova, CA
  • Duration: Two years
  • Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Tuition: $46 per unit (residents); $395 per unit (non-residents)

Dallas College

Located in Dallas, Texas, Dallas College offers an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in MLT preparing students to perform related duties in a medical laboratory. The curriculum of the program includes liberal arts, science, and technical courses including clinical and didactic education.

Made up of 60 credits, the program’s curriculum includes courses such as hematology; coagulation; clinical chemistry; clinical microbiology; immunohematology; urinalysis and body fluids; immunology or serology; and anatomy and physiology, among others.

  • Location: Dallas, TX
  • Duration: Six semesters
  • Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Tuition: $79 per credit (Dallas County residents); $135 per credit (non-residents)

Allegany College of Maryland

Allegany College of Maryland gives students the opportunity to complete an MLT program enabling them to seek clinical employment after completing the program. Students should be prepared to sit for certification through the ASCP upon completion of their medical laboratory technician school program, according to the school website. This two-year MLT degree transfers to four-year MLS programs.

Students in this program will complete general education courses as well as coursework with knowledge and hands-on training in the laboratory departments of clinical chemistry, hematology, blood banking, and microbiology. After completing the coursework, students will be placed in a semester-long practicum experience in the college’s regional healthcare laboratories.

Comprising 68 credits, the program includes courses such as microbiology; applied immunology; hematology; urinalysis and body fluids; blood banking; clinical microbiology; clinical biochemistry; basic phlebotomy skills; and human biology.

  • Location: Cumberland, MD
  • Duration: Two years
  • Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Middle States Commission on Higher Education(MSCHE)
  • Tuition: $4,920 per year (in-county); $9,270 per year (out-of-county); $12,270 per year (out-of-state)

Keiser University

The associate degree program in MLT offered through Keiser University is available at its Fort Lauderdale and Orlando campuses. To obtain the school’s AS degree, students need to complete 63 credits in all, 26 of which are in general education (which all must be completed with a ‘C ‘or higher) and 37 of which are in the MLT major.

In the program, students learn about the lab tests and standard lab practices used in clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, immunohematology, hematology, serology/immunology, and urinalysis. Students in this program will be prepared to function collaboratively and effectively as members of a medical laboratory team. They will be provided with exposure to several laboratory tests in accordance with nationally standardized laboratory practices as defined within the scope of the profession.

  • Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
  • Duration: 20 months
  • Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Tuition: $22,048 total

Applicants to any MLT program should be advised that they may need to meet different eligibility requirements to be accepted into or to stay enrolled in one of the medical lab technician schools. For example, a ‘C’ average in all MLT classes might be necessary. Students might also need to supply certain items themselves, such as lab fees, a lab coat, and malpractice insurance. Students applying to programs may also be required to undergo a background clearance, a drug screening, and a physical exam to even be considered.

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List of Medical Lab Technician Schools

Filter by state :
School City State Website grads (2018)
George Washington University Washington District of Columbia www.gwu.edu 494
West Kentucky Community and Technical College Paducah Kentucky westkentucky.kctcs.edu 63
Tulsa Community College Tulsa Oklahoma www.tulsacc.edu 57
Jefferson State Community College Birmingham Alabama www.jeffersonstate.edu 55
Southwest University at El Paso El Paso Texas southwestuniversity.edu 46
Laredo College Laredo Texas www.laredo.edu 42
Weatherford College Weatherford Texas www.wc.edu 40
Virginia Western Community College Roanoke Virginia virginiawestern.edu 37
Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis Indiana www.ivytech.edu 36
Miami Dade College Miami Florida www.mdc.edu 35
Jefferson Community and Technical College Louisville Kentucky jefferson.kctcs.edu 34
Phoenix College Phoenix Arizona www.phoenixcollege.edu 32
Tidewater Community College Norfolk Virginia www.tcc.edu 31
Hopkinsville Community College Hopkinsville Kentucky hopkinsville.kctcs.edu 30
Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale Florida www.keiseruniversity.edu 29
San Diego Miramar College San Diego California www.sdmiramar.edu 29
Tyler Junior College Tyler Texas www.tjc.edu 28
Folsom Lake College Folsom California www.flc.losrios.edu 28
Henderson Community College Henderson Kentucky henderson.kctcs.edu 27
Northern Virginia Community College Annandale Virginia www.nvcc.edu 27
Mountain Empire Community College Big Stone Gap Virginia www.mecc.edu 26
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College Miami Oklahoma www.neo.edu 26
Somerset Community College Somerset Kentucky somerset.kctcs.edu 26
Vista College El Paso Texas vistacollege.edu 26
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College Richmond Virginia www.reynolds.edu 24
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science Rochester Minnesota college.mayo.edu 24
Northern Michigan University Marquette Michigan www.nmu.edu 24
Saddleback College Mission Viejo California www.saddleback.edu 24
Tarleton State University Stephenville Texas www.tarleton.edu 24
Wytheville Community College Wytheville Virginia www.wcc.vccs.edu 24
Maysville Community and Technical College Maysville Kentucky maysville.kctcs.edu 23
Quest College San Antonio Texas www.questcollege.edu 22
San Jacinto Community College Pasadena Texas www.sanjac.edu 22
South College Knoxville Tennessee www.south.edu 22
South Louisiana Community College Lafayette Louisiana www.solacc.edu 22
University of New Mexico-Main Campus Albuquerque New Mexico www.unm.edu 22
CUNY Bronx Community College Bronx New York www.bcc.cuny.edu 21
Madison Area Technical College Madison Wisconsin madisoncollege.edu 21
Madisonville Community College Madisonville Kentucky madisonville.kctcs.edu 21
Allen College Waterloo Iowa www.allencollege.edu 20
Anne Arundel Community College Arnold Maryland www.aacc.edu 20
Boston University Boston Massachusetts www.bu.edu 20
Hazard Community and Technical College Hazard Kentucky hazard.kctcs.edu 20
Portland Community College Portland Oregon www.pcc.edu 20
Shoreline Community College Shoreline Washington www.shoreline.edu 20
Sinclair Community College Dayton Ohio www.sinclair.edu 20
Alamance Community College Graham North Carolina www.alamancecc.edu 19
Community College of Philadelphia Philadelphia Pennsylvania www.ccp.edu 19
Rose State College Midwest City Oklahoma www.rose.edu 19
Arapahoe Community College Littleton Colorado www.arapahoe.edu 18
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Cincinnati Ohio www.cincinnatistate.edu 18
Eastern Florida State College Cocoa Florida www.easternflorida.edu 18
George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville Hanceville Alabama www.wallacestate.edu 18
Houston Community College Houston Texas www.hccs.edu 18
Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee Wisconsin matc.edu 18
Quincy College Quincy Massachusetts www.quincycollege.edu 18
SUNY Broome Community College Binghamton New York www.sunybroome.edu 18
Wake Technical Community College Raleigh North Carolina www.waketech.edu 18
Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny Iowa www.dmacc.edu 17
Mt San Antonio College Walnut California www.mtsac.edu 17
Austin Community College District Austin Texas www.austincc.edu 16
Casper College Casper Wyoming www.caspercollege.edu 16
Community College of Allegheny County Pittsburgh Pennsylvania www.ccac.edu 16
Danville Community College Danville Virginia www.dcc.vccs.edu 16
Erie Community College Buffalo New York www.ecc.edu 16
Mercer County Community College West Windsor New Jersey www.mccc.edu 16
North Georgia Technical College Clarkesville Georgia northgatech.edu 16
Saint Paul College Saint Paul Minnesota www.saintpaul.edu 16
Sandhills Community College Pinehurst North Carolina www.sandhills.edu 16
Columbus State Community College Columbus Ohio www.cscc.edu 15
Hawkeye Community College Waterloo Iowa www.hawkeyecollege.edu 15
Lakeland Community College Kirtland Ohio www.lakelandcc.edu 15
Marion Technical College Ocala Florida www.mariontc.edu 15
Middlesex Community College Bedford Massachusetts www.middlesex.mass.edu 15
Western Dakota Technical Institute Rapid City South Dakota www.wdt.edu 15
Central Texas College Killeen Texas www.ctcd.edu 14
Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire Wisconsin www.cvtc.edu 14
El Centro College Dallas Texas www.elcentrocollege.edu 14
Gadsden State Community College Gadsden Alabama www.gadsdenstate.edu 14
Kapiolani Community College Honolulu Hawaii www.kapiolani.hawaii.edu 14
Marion Technical College Marion Ohio www.mtc.edu 14
Panola College Carthage Texas www.panola.edu 14
Southeastern Technical College Vidalia Georgia www.southeasterntech.edu 14
Spartanburg Community College Spartanburg South Carolina www.sccsc.edu 14
West Georgia Technical College Waco Georgia www.westgatech.edu 14
Allegany College of Maryland Cumberland Maryland www.allegany.edu 13
Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte North Carolina www.cpcc.edu 13
Community College of Baltimore County Baltimore Maryland www.ccbcmd.edu 13
Community College of Rhode Island Warwick Rhode Island www.ccri.edu 13
Elgin Community College Elgin Illinois www.elgin.edu 13
Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville Florida www.fscj.edu 13
Fortis Institute-Cookeville Cookeville Tennessee www.fortis.edu 13
Kankakee Community College Kankakee Illinois www.kcc.edu 13
Pearl River Community College Poplarville Mississippi www.prcc.edu 13
Pima Community College Tucson Arizona www.pima.edu 13
Seminole State College Seminole Oklahoma www.sscok.edu 13
Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College Cumberland Kentucky southeast.kctcs.edu 13
Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College Mount Gay West Virginia www.southernwv.edu 13
Southwest Tennessee Community College Memphis Tennessee www.southwest.tn.edu 13
Alexandria Technical & Community College Alexandria Minnesota www.alextech.edu 12
Amarillo College Amarillo Texas www.actx.edu 12
Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque New Mexico www.cnm.edu 12
Clark State Community College Springfield Ohio www.clarkstate.edu 12
College of Southern Nevada Las Vegas Nevada www.csn.edu 12
Erwin Technical College Tampa Florida www.erwin.edu 12
John C Calhoun State Community College Tanner Alabama calhoun.edu 12
Platt College-McCann-Allentown Allentown Pennsylvania www.mccann.edu 12
Shawnee State University Portsmouth Ohio www.shawnee.edu 12
Stark State College North Canton Ohio www.starkstate.edu 12
Volunteer State Community College Gallatin Tennessee www.volstate.edu 12
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Asheville North Carolina www.abtech.edu 11
Baker College Flint Michigan www.baker.edu 11
BridgeValley Community & Technical College South Charleston West Virginia www.bridgevalley.edu 11
Carrington College-Phoenix East Phoenix Arizona carrington.edu 11
Coastal Carolina Community College Jacksonville North Carolina www.coastalcarolina.edu 11
Edison State Community College Piqua Ohio www.edisonohio.edu 11
Fortis Institute-Nashville Nashville Tennessee www.fortis.edu 11
Grayson College Denison Texas grayson.edu 11
Greenville Technical College Greenville South Carolina www.gvltec.edu 11
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg Pennsylvania www.hacc.edu 11
Illinois Central College East Peoria Illinois icc.edu 11
Mississippi Delta Community College Moorhead Mississippi www.msdelta.edu 11
Owensboro Community and Technical College Owensboro Kentucky owensboro.kctcs.edu 11
Rappahannock Community College Glenns Virginia www.rappahannock.edu 11
Tri-County Technical College Pendleton South Carolina www.tctc.edu 11
Trident Technical College Charleston South Carolina www.tridenttech.edu 11
Washington State Community College Marietta Ohio www.wscc.edu 11
Bristol Community College Fall River Massachusetts www.bristolcc.edu 10
Brookline College-Phoenix Phoenix Arizona www.brooklinecollege.edu 10
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins Georgia www.centralgatech.edu 10
Columbia State Community College Columbia Tennessee www.columbiastate.edu 10
Davidson County Community College Thomasville North Carolina www.davidsonccc.edu 10
De Anza College Cupertino California www.deanza.edu 10
Farmingdale State College Farmingdale New York www.farmingdale.edu 10
Fortis College-Landover Landover Maryland www.fortiscollege.edu 10
Georgia Piedmont Technical College Clarkston Georgia www.gptc.edu 10
Iowa Central Community College Fort Dodge Iowa www.iowacentral.edu 10
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Perkinston Mississippi www.mgccc.edu 10
Mitchell Technical Institute Mitchell South Dakota www.mitchelltech.edu 10
Moraine Park Technical College Fond du Lac Wisconsin www.morainepark.edu 10
Southwestern College Chula Vista California www.swccd.edu 10
Southwestern Illinois College Belleville Illinois www.swic.edu 10
Southwestern Oklahoma State University Weatherford Oklahoma www.swosu.edu 10
St Philip's College San Antonio Texas www.alamo.edu/spc 10
Turtle Mountain Community College Belcourt North Dakota www.tm.edu 10
Western Piedmont Community College Morganton North Carolina www.wpcc.edu 10
Bunker Hill Community College Boston Massachusetts www.bhcc.mass.edu 9
College of the Canyons Santa Clarita California www.canyons.edu 9
Del Mar College Corpus Christi Texas www.delmar.edu 9
Lorain County Community College Elyria Ohio www.lorainccc.edu 9
Middlesex County College Edison New Jersey www.middlesexcc.edu 9
Minnesota State College Southeast Winona Minnesota www.southeastmn.edu 9
Monroe Community College Rochester New York www.monroecc.edu 9
North Hennepin Community College Brooklyn Park Minnesota www.nhcc.edu 9
Northeast Texas Community College Mount Pleasant Texas www.ntcc.edu 9
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Green Bay Wisconsin www.nwtc.edu 9
Northern Essex Community College Haverhill Massachusetts www.necc.mass.edu 9
Oakton Community College Des Plaines Illinois www.oakton.edu 9
Pierpont Community and Technical College Fairmont West Virginia www.pierpont.edu 9
South Central College North Mankato Minnesota www.southcentral.edu 9
Southeast Community College Area Lincoln Nebraska www.southeast.edu 9
Three Rivers College Poplar Bluff Missouri trcc.edu 9
Western Technical College La Crosse Wisconsin www.westerntc.edu 9
Arkansas State University-Beebe Beebe Arkansas www.asub.edu 8
Blackhawk Technical College Janesville Wisconsin www.blackhawk.edu 8
Concorde Career College-Memphis Memphis Tennessee www.concorde.edu/campus/memphis-tennessee 8
Dutchess Community College Poughkeepsie New York www.sunydutchess.edu 8
El Paso Community College El Paso Texas www.epcc.edu 8
Heritage University Toppenish Washington www.heritage.edu 8
Howard Community College Columbia Maryland www.howardcc.edu 8
Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa Iowa www.indianhills.edu 8
Indian River State College Fort Pierce Florida www.irsc.edu 8
Jackson State Community College Jackson Tennessee www.jscc.edu 8
Lord Fairfax Community College Middletown Virginia www.lfcc.edu 8
Minnesota West Community and Technical College Granite Falls Minnesota www.mnwest.edu 8
Nassau Community College Garden City New York www.ncc.edu 8
Northeast Mississippi Community College Booneville Mississippi www.nemcc.edu 8
Nunez Community College Chalmette Louisiana www.nunez.edu 8
York Technical College Rock Hill South Carolina www.yorktech.edu 8
Orange County Community College Middletown New York sunyorange.edu 7
Central Virginia Community College Lynchburg Virginia www.centralvirginia.edu 7
Florence-Darlington Technical College Florence South Carolina www.fdtc.edu 7
Louisiana State University-Alexandria Alexandria Louisiana www.lsua.edu 7
Manhattan Area Technical College Manhattan Kansas manhattantech.edu 7
McLennan Community College Waco Texas www.mclennan.edu 7
Midlands Technical College West Columbia South Carolina www.midlandstech.edu 7
North Arkansas College Harrison Arkansas www.northark.edu 7
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas Helena Arkansas www.pccua.edu 7
Springfield Technical Community College Springfield Massachusetts www.stcc.edu 7
Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta Georgia www.chattahoocheetech.edu 6
Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction Colorado www.coloradomesa.edu 6
Delgado Community College New Orleans Louisiana www.dcc.edu 6
Hinds Community College Raymond Mississippi www.hindscc.edu 6
Lake Superior College Duluth Minnesota www.lsc.edu 6
Marshall University Huntington West Virginia www.marshall.edu 6
Meridian Community College Meridian Mississippi www.meridiancc.edu 6
National Park College Hot Springs Arkansas www.np.edu 6
Navarro College Corsicana Texas www.navarrocollege.edu 6
New England Institute of Technology East Greenwich Rhode Island www.neit.edu 6
Northcentral Technical College Wausau Wisconsin www.ntc.edu 6
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton Hazleton Pennsylvania hazleton.psu.edu 6
Pima Medical Institute-Colorado Springs Colorado Springs Colorado pmi.edu 6
Platt College-McCann-Lewisburg Lewisburg Pennsylvania www.mccann.edu 6
Reading Area Community College Reading Pennsylvania www.racc.edu 6
Southeastern Community College Whiteville North Carolina www.sccnc.edu 6
Stanly Community College Albemarle North Carolina www.stanly.edu 6
Texas Southmost College Brownsville Texas www.tsc.edu 6
University of New Mexico-Gallup Campus Gallup New Mexico www.gallup.unm.edu 6
Wayne Community College Goldsboro North Carolina www.waynecc.edu 6
Zane State College Zanesville Ohio www.zanestate.edu 6
Blessing Hospital School of Medical Laboratory Technology Quincy Illinois www.blessinghealth.org/careers/schools-and-programs 5
National American University-Zona Rosa Kansas City Missouri www.national.edu 5
CUNY Hunter College New York New York www.hunter.cuny.edu 5
Ferris State University Big Rapids Michigan www.ferris.edu 5
Fortis College-Baton Rouge Baton Rouge Louisiana www.fortis.edu 5
Fortis Institute-Birmingham Birmingham Alabama www.fortis.edu 5
Halifax Community College Weldon North Carolina www.halifaxcc.edu 5
John A Logan College Carterville Illinois www.jalc.edu 5
Mid-Plains Community College North Platte Nebraska www.mpcc.edu 5
Minnesota State Community and Technical College Fergus Falls Minnesota www.minnesota.edu 5
Montgomery County Community College Blue Bell Pennsylvania www.mc3.edu 5
New River Community and Technical College Beaver West Virginia www.newriver.edu 5
University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage Alaska www.uaa.alaska.edu 5
Youngstown State University Youngstown Ohio ysu.edu 5
Bismarck State College Bismarck North Dakota bismarckstate.edu 4
Copiah-Lincoln Community College Wesson Mississippi www.colin.edu 4
River Valley Community College Claremont New Hampshire www.rivervalley.edu 4
Southern Regional Technical College Thomasville Georgia southernregional.edu 4
Southwest Virginia Community College Cedar Bluff Virginia sw.edu 4
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Fennimore Wisconsin www.swtc.edu 4
Central Community College Grand Island Nebraska www.cccneb.edu 3
Merritt College Oakland California www.merritt.edu 3
Mount Aloysius College Cresson Pennsylvania www.mtaloy.edu 3
Mount Wachusett Community College Gardner Massachusetts mwcc.edu 3
Otero Junior College La Junta Colorado www.ojc.edu 3
Paul D Camp Community College Franklin Virginia www.pdc.edu 3
Saint Louis Community College Bridgeton Missouri www.stlcc.edu 3
Shawnee Community College Ullin Illinois www.shawneecc.edu 3
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne Fort Wayne Indiana www.sf.edu 3
Mercyhurst University-North East Campus North East Pennsylvania www.mercyhurst.edu/mne 2
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion Marion Indiana www.indwes.edu 2
Laurel Technical Institute Sharon Pennsylvania www.laurel.edu 2
Moberly Area Community College Moberly Missouri www.macc.edu 2
Southwestern Community College Sylva North Carolina www.southwesterncc.edu 2
Stautzenberger College-Maumee Maumee Ohio www.sctoday.edu 2
Beaufort County Community College Washington North Carolina www.beaufortccc.edu 1
Broward College Fort Lauderdale Florida www.broward.edu 1
College of Southern Maryland La Plata Maryland www.csmd.edu 1
John Wood Community College Quincy Illinois www.jwcc.edu 1
Kaskaskia College Centralia Illinois www.kaskaskia.edu 1
Rend Lake College Ina Illinois www.rlc.edu 1
Rhode Island College Providence Rhode Island www.ric.edu 1
Southern University at Shreveport Shreveport Louisiana www.susla.edu 1
2017-2018 School Data from IPEDS (Sourced in November, 2019)

Hybrid & Online Medical Lab Technician Programs – MLT Degrees

Students may be able to find medical lab technician schools throughout the U.S. that offer online or hybrid online programs that offer flexibility for those with work or family obligations. Often, very specific parts of these programs are offered online, typically the didactic learning components, while hands-on clinical work is still required.

Because lab and clinical experiences are often part of medical lab technician programs, students may need to be on campus or at a clinical site during some segment or segments of their learning. Here are some schools offering hybrid learning:

Arapahoe Community College

Students attending the medical lab technician program at this Littleton, Colorado-based school can work toward an associate of applied science degree over two years time, although a one-year fast-track option is also available. The lab sections that comprise the program are held Friday and Saturday afternoons, but the MLT courses are offered through hybrid instruction, meaning that many are partially online.

Students also do 13 weeks of a clinical internship, occurring at hospital clinical sites. Finally, students who are interested in a bachelor’s degree should speak to school advisors, as they have many transfer agreements in place with four-year schools.

Consisting of 63 credits, the program includes courses such as hematology; immunology/immunohematology; urinalysis; clinical microbiology; parasitology/mycology; clinical chemistry; blood banking.

  • Location: Littleton, CO
  • Duration: One to two years
  • Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Tuition: $156.40 per credit (residents); $641.80 per credit (non-residents)

Columbus State Community College

Students in the MLT program at this Columbus, Ohio-based school can complete an associate degree over five semesters. In the fifth semester, students test their skills through hands-on experiences arranged in environments located within 60 miles of Columbus. All of the program’s technical lecture courses are delivered using a Web-based format while lab work is done on campus at the school’s laboratories in Union Hall.

The program provides students with essential knowledge and skills in areas like clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology, phlebotomy, and others, and also prepares them to take the certifying exam offered through the ASCP. The 65-credit curriculum of the program includes coursework in basic concepts in health care; venipuncture for health care providers; elements of organic/biochemistry; body fluids; immunology; hematology; immunohematology; med lab case correlations; and elementary statistics.

Graduates will be ready to perform laboratory procedures in a variety of settings such as hospitals, public health, and veterinary facilities, environmental and quality assurance laboratories, and research and reference laboratories. They may also pursue careers in sales, customer service, and marketing.

  • Location: Columbus, OH
  • Duration: Five semesters
  • Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Tuition: $172.93 per credit (residents); $353.70 per credit (non-residents)

Rasmussen College

Located in the midwest, Rasmussen College offers a medical lab technician associate degree in Minnesota at the Lake Elmo/Woodbury campus. Courses can be completed entirely in a hybrid format with many classes being offered online. The program provides hands-on learning to students in areas like blood banking, clinical chemistry, and microbiology.

The program can be completed in 24 months and includes a six-month practicum that occurs at clinical sites. Students should be prepared to sit for the medical lab technician credentialing exam offered through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) upon graduation, and the school even covers the application fee for the first attempt. (See more on certifications in the section further below).

The program comprises 91 credits including courses such as medical terminology; phlebotomy; urinalysis; hematology; clinical microbiology; immunology; immunohematology; computer applications and business systems concepts; career development; structure and function; and clinical chemistry.

  • Location: Lake Elmo/Woodbury, Minnesota
  • Duration: 21 months
  • Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Tuition: $269 per credit (full-time); $319 per credit(part-time); $167 per credit (military)

Weber State University

Weber State University’s online associate of applied science degree in medical laboratory technician can be completed in just two years. Graduates of this MLT program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination through ASCP. After completing this degree, graduates interested in continuing their education for a four-year degree can do so by applying and being accepted into the BS in medical laboratory scientist program (MLS).

The curriculum includes courses such as an introduction to medical laboratory practices; principles of hematology and hemostasis; principles of immunohematology; principles of clinical chemistry; and principles of clinical microbiology, among others.

  • Location: Ogden, UT
  • Duration: Two years
  • Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
  • Tuition: $291 per credit

Barton Community College

By completing Barton Community College’s online medical laboratory technology program, students will receive an associate in applied science degree and will be eligible to take national certification examinations. It is advisable for students to use this degree as a bridge to other medical careers or pathways.

Designed to be completed in a hybrid format, the program will require students to work with an advisor who will help them in creating a tailored plan of study, helping them in meeting their individual needs.

This 68-credit program includes courses such as urinalysis and body fluids; hematology & coagulation; immunology; clinical practicum; clinical chemistry; immunohematology; pathogenic microbiology; human parasitology, mycobacterium & mycology; and laboratory operations and leadership. Tuition assistance is available to Kansas high school graduates.

  • Location: Great Bend, KS
  • Duration: Two years
  • Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Tuition: $155 per credit

Albany State University

The Darton College of Health Professions at Albany State University offers an online medical laboratory technology program preparing students to practice as laboratory technicians in hospitals, physicians’ offices, clinics, and other health care facilities. Graduates of this program will be eligible to sit for national certifying exams.

Offered in both a traditional classroom format and a combination of distance learning and online format, this program is made up of 70 credits. Some of the courses in the curriculum include medical laboratory technology; human anatomy and physiology; parasitology, mycology, and virology; and principles of chemistry, among others. The program also includes an externship that provides students with a hands-on learning experience.

  • Location: Albany, GA
  • Duration: Two years
  • Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Tuition: $95 per credit (residents); $359.67 per credit (non-residents)

Harcum College

Harcum College’s associate of science degree in medical laboratory technician (MLT) teaches students all the professional and technical skills needed for entering the field. They learn to collect, process, and analyze biological specimens; perform analytical tests on body fluids, blood, and other substances; recognize factors that affect results and procedures; perform and monitor quality control and quality assurance within predetermined limits; and apply principles of safety, among numerous others. Offered in a blended online format, the program requires limited onsite requirements offering maximum flexibility to students.

Additionally, this program qualifies graduates to take the Board of Certification Exam sponsored by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP). The program consists of 74 credits including courses such as applied lab techniques; microbiology; basic hematology & clinical microscopy; immunology; clinical chemistry; clinical hematology and coagulation; and clinical immunohematology, among others.

As part of the program, students will be required to attend a clinical practicum in a CLIA-approved hospital laboratory where they will gain experience in every aspect of laboratory testing.

  • Location: Bryn Mawr, PA
  • Duration: Four semesters
  • Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
  • Tuition: $29,500 per year

Minnesota North College

Minnesota North College’s online AAS Degree in medical laboratory technician offers an opportunity for currently employed professionals to move up their laboratory career ladder without having to quit their jobs, relocate, or go back to a full-time school. Attending this part-time degree that allows students to sit for national certification exams. The didactic component of this program is delivered online, while the laboratory component is completed with the help of designated mentors or facilitators. These mentors or facilitators work with students on assigned lab exercises and serve as proctors for written exams.

The 62-credit curriculum of the program includes courses such as laboratory techniques; medical terminology; clinical chemistry; immunology; blood bank; medical microbiology; urinalysis and body fluids; hematology; human biology; and human anatomy and physiology.

  • Location: Hibbing, MN
  • Duration: Three years
  • Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Tuition: $179.13 per credit

Kankakee Community College

Kankakee Community College’s medical laboratory technology AAS degree program offers a sequence of courses and clinical practicum experiences preparing students for technical positions in medical laboratories, industries, and related businesses. Classes in this program are offered in a hybrid online format. In-person meetings will be held every two weeks for hands-on laboratory sessions at KCC. The college also offers an advanced placement sequence designed for those who have already completed general education courses. This advanced placement option allows students to complete the degree requirements in three semesters.

The curriculum consists of courses such as medical laboratory skills; urinalysis and immunology; hematology & coagulation; blood bank; clinical microbiology; and clinical chemistry.

  • Location: Kankakee, IL
  • Duration: Five semesters
  • Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Tuition: $146 per credit
School City State Website grads (2018)
George Washington University Washington District of Columbia www.gwu.edu 494
Weber State University Ogden Utah www.weber.edu 166
Rasmussen College-Minnesota St. Cloud Minnesota rasmussen.edu 28
Auburn University at Montgomery Montgomery Alabama www.aum.edu 22
Albany State University Albany Georgia www.asurams.edu 15
Lake Area Technical Institute Watertown South Dakota www.lakeareatech.edu 14
Barton County Community College Great Bend Kansas www.bartonccc.edu 13
Hibbing Community College Hibbing Minnesota www.hibbing.edu 10
Rasmussen College-Wisconsin Green Bay Wisconsin rasmussen.edu 8
Siena Heights University Adrian Michigan www.sienaheights.edu 6
Harcum College Bryn Mawr Pennsylvania www.harcum.edu 5
Seward County Community College Liberal Kansas www.sccc.edu 5
Rasmussen College-North Dakota Fargo North Dakota rasmussen.edu 3
2017-2018 School Data from IPEDS (Sourced in November, 2019)

Core & Elective Courses in Medical Lab Technician Programs

The educational components of a medical lab tech program should generally be similar across the board since students need to be able to complete the same types of lab tasks no matter where they are employed in the U.S. For this reason, some of the common courses featured in medical lab tech programs include:

  • Basic and intermediate lab skills
  • Blood banking
  • Hematology
  • Immunology
  • Medical terminology
  • Phlebotomy
  • Urinalysis

Students working on an associate's degree will also need to complete a broad number of general education courses, usually in the social sciences, liberal arts, and math, or even related to career development. Coursework may include science components in anatomy, chemistry, and physiology.

In addition to general education classes, medical lab tech schools also typically require students to gain hands-on skills through clinical practicums or externships, which often occur during the final semester or semesters of a program.

MLT Program Accreditation

Many medical lab technician programs in the U.S. will have accreditation through the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), which accredits a range of allied health programs. Programmatic accreditation through NAACLS requires that a program submit a thorough self-study as well as a site visit from NAACLS experts in the MLT field. Accreditation means that the program curriculum, faculty, and facilities have been evaluated for effectiveness and learning outcomes.

As of May 2023, the NAACLS website lists 243 medical lab technician programs in the US accredited through the institution. Results can be ordered by state or by zip code. The phone number for each school’s MLT program and the e-mail for its director are provided for each search result.

In addition to programmatic accreditation through the NAACLS, applicants should look for institutional accreditation as well. Regionally based organizations such as the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) conduct an accreditation process that is similar to that of the NAACLS. However, unlike the NAACLS, regional accreditation will take into account the performance and facilities of an entire school.

Accreditation generally helps assure students that a specific program meets necessary education and training standards, but can also be needed to seek certification through credentialing organizations. Many licensing bodies require that applicants have completed a program that has earned some type of accreditation, although specifics vary depending on the license.

Career Outlook

Job demand for medical and clinical lab technicians is expected to grow by 7 percent from 2021 to 2031, according to the BLS (2023). This job growth is higher than the national average (5 percent) and is expected to create 21,800 additional positions nationally. What are the reasons for this expected job demand?

Access to health insurance, driven by new federal legislation, is providing more people with coverage and leading to a demand for more lab personnel. Additionally, an aging Baby Boomer population should place more demands on the health services industry, as individuals and doctors turn to more laboratory workers to help diagnose diseases or conditions. In all, by 2031, the BLS predicts that 351,000 people in the U.S. will be employed as clinical and medical laboratory technicians, an increase from 329,200 in 2021.

Career Facts Medical Lab Technician
Related CareersBiological Technician, Chemical Technician, Dental Laboratory Technician, Veterinary Technician
Common Job TitlesMedical Laboratory Technician, Clinical Laboratory Technician, Medical Technician
Technology & EquipmentMicroscopes, Cell Counters, Computerized Instruments
Sourced from BLS 2022

Licensing & Certification of Medical Lab Technicians

Currently, only 11 states require laboratory personnel, such as medical lab technicians, to be licensed. Licensing requirements can vary by state but typically include education requirements, passing an exam, work experience, a background check, and a drug screening. A full list of states requiring licensure can be found on the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) website.

For example, the requirements to earn a medical laboratory personnel license through the Tennessee Medical Laboratory Board are:

  • Pay a $50 application fee
  • Complete a NAACLS accredited formal laboratory training program
  • Hold an associate’s degree in a laboratory science
  • Proof of current national medical lab technician certification
  • Pass a background check

Certification, on the other hand, is optional although it may be required for employment and can be a step for licensure in many states. Certification can also lead to opportunities for higher wages and promotions.

“Certification translates to an advantage in the workplace,” the AMT website reads. “Many employers now require certification because they know that individuals who are certified are committed to their profession and to quality patient care.”

Here are three of the major certifications available to medical lab technicians:

   

American Medical Technologist (AMT) Certification

Eligibility

To be eligible to sit for the Medical Lab Technician (MLT) certification, offered through American Medical Technologists (AMT), candidates must meet one of the following requirements:

  • Complete an MLT program from an accredited institution, including clinical laboratory experience, less than five years prior
  • Complete 60 semester-hours (two years) of coursework from a regionally accredited institution, which includes at least 25 semester-hours in clinical laboratory science and six months of approved clinical laboratory experience
  • Complete a 50-week US military medical laboratory training program
  • Pass a generalist MLT examination given by another certification organization or state licensure agency

Testing

The exam costs $235 and consists of 200 to 230 multiple choice questions, which must be answered in three hours. Candidates will take their exams at a PearsonVUE test center. Questions in this exam cover the following topics:

  • General Laboratory
  • Chemistry
  • Hematology
  • Coagulation and Hemostasis
  • Immunology and Serology
  • Immunohematology
  • Blood Banking and Transfusion Services
  • Microbiology
  • Urinalysis and Body Fluids

A list of reference materials to study is available on the AMT website to help candidates prepare for this exam. Additionally, there are practice exams available for purchase that can help candidates determine their readiness to sit for the test. Results are available within 48 hours of taking the test with official certificates following in the mail seven to 14 days later.

Renewal

To maintain certification, certificate holders must pay a $110 yearly fee. Every three years, MLT certificate holders must submit 45 continuing education points. These points are earned by completing various educational activities, including authoring articles, completing online courses, working experience, and participating on a professional committee.

   

American Association of Bioanalysts Certification

Eligibility

The MLT generalist certification offered through the American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB) requires candidates to meet one of the following requirements:

  • Hold a doctoral, master's, or bachelor's from an accredited university or college with a major in chemical, physical, biological, clinical laboratory science, or medical technology
  • Hold an associate degree or an associate of applied science degree from an accredited institution with a major in clinical laboratory science or medical technology
  • Complete at least 60 semester-hours of coursework from an accredited institution that includes 24 semester-hours of medical laboratory technology courses

Candidates must also supply proof that they completed a clinical laboratory training program approved or accredited by ABHES, NAACLS, or other accrediting body, or have three months of documented laboratory training completed in the past ten years.

Testing

The MLT generalist certification exam takes five hours to complete and consists of 240 multiple-choice questions. It costs $115 to apply to take the exam and another $185 for the exam fee. Topics covered in this exam include:

  • Basic knowledge
  • Chemistry
  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Hematology
  • Immunohematology

Candidates in most states can take the exam at any local university that has a testing center. Proctoring fees are the responsibility of the test taker. Exams are scheduled and administered on specific dates in Florida and California. Candidates must score a minimum of 50 percent in each section and 60 percent overall in order to pass this exam. Results are emailed four to six weeks after the exam.

Renewal

AMS certifications must be renewed annually and cost $102. There are no continuing education requirements to renew a certification, although it is highly recommended. The AAB Board of Registry offers a continuing education program.

   

American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Certification

Eligibility

MLT certification is also available through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). To be eligible to sit for this exam, candidates must meet one of the following four pathways:

  • Associate degree or 60 semester-hours (or 90 quarter-hours) from a regionally accredited institution with at least six semester or nine quarter-hours in chemistry and biology as well as three years of qualifying experience
  • Associate degree or 60 semester-hours (or 90 quarter-hours) from a regionally accredited institution with at least six semester or nine quarter-hours in chemistry and biology as well as an MLT military program
  • Associate’s degree of at least 60 semester-hours (or 90 quarter-hours) and completion of a NAACLS or ABHES accredited MLT program
  • Be an existing CLA(ASCP) certification (discontinued in 1982) and hold an associate’s degree of at least 60 semester-hours (or 90 quarter-hours)

Testing

Once eligibility has been verified, candidates will be able to schedule their exam at a Pearson VUE test center. This exam costs $215, consists of 100 multiple choice questions, and must be completed in two and a half hours. Topics covered include:

  • Blood banking
  • Urinalysis and other body fluids
  • Chemistry
  • Hematology
  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Laboratory operations

Study guides are available for purchase from the ASCP to help prepare for this exam. Scores are sent via email shortly after the exam is completed. Wall certificates are sent by mail and arrive six to nine weeks later.

Renewal

In order to renew an ASCP MLT certification, candidates must complete an application, pay a $95 fee, and provide proof of 36 credential maintenance points. These points are earned through continuing education activities. Points must be earned in the following categories: one point must be in the laboratory or patient safety; two each in blood banking, chemistry, hematology, and microbiology; and the remaining points in other areas such as lab specialty, immunology, molecular diagnostics, management, and education.

Kimmy Gustafson
Kimmy Gustafson Writer

Kimmy Gustafson is a freelance writer with a passion for sharing stories of bravery. Her love for world-traveling began when her family moved to Spain when she was six and since then, she has lived overseas extensively, visited six continents, and traveled to over 25 countries. She is fluent in Spanish and conversational in French. When not writing or parenting she can be found kiteboarding, hiking, or cooking.