Medical Lab Technician (MLT) Schools

“Medical lab technicians are very educated, hard workers, problem solvers, highly analytical, and they know how to put pieces of the problem together to aid in diagnosing a patient. They work behind the scenes and I don’t know that the public really understands the rigors of the education necessary to work in this field.”

– Lisa Lock MBA, Coordinator for the Medical Laboratory Technology Program, Dallas College (El Centro Campus)

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 even public health facilities.

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

Medical Lab Technician Fast Facts
Projected Jobs Created	18,200
Projected Job Growth	5 percent
Average Salary	$65,320
Low Salary	$38,020
Median Salary	$61,890
High Salary	$97,990
Entry-Level EDU	Associate’s Degree (Technician) or Bachelor’s Degree (Technologist)

MedicalTechnologySchools.com: What is something you wish the public understood about medical lab technicians?

Lock: Medical lab technicians are very educated, hard workers, problem solvers, and highly analytical, and they know how to put pieces of the problem together to aid in diagnosing a patient. They work behind the scenes and I don’t know that the public really understands the rigors of the education necessary to work in this field.

MedicalTechnologySchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring medical lab technician students?

Lock: I always encourage students to look at their long-range goals. What hours do they want to work? Do they want to work behind the scenes or indirectly, or do they want to work in direct contact with the patient? In other words, do they want to be scientists, or do they want to be hands-on practitioners?

Because we are definitely indirect patient care, which is what attracts me and I think attracts our students. We love the scientific aspect of it. We’re critical thinkers who like solving problems and providing results expeditiously for the patient. We like to know that we play a very important role in their healthcare.

Medical Lab Technician (MLT) Degree & Certification Programs

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical lab technicians typically need an associate’s degree to obtain entry-level work in the field. 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:

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 program’s curriculum includes liberal arts, science, and technical courses, including clinical and didactic education.

The program’s curriculum, which consists of 60 credits, includes courses in hematology, coagulation, clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, immunohematology, urinalysis and body fluids, immunology or serology, and anatomy and physiology.

• Location: Dallas, TX
• Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Six semesters

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.

In all, 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
• 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
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

Allegany College of Maryland

Allegany College of Maryland offers an MLT program that enables students to seek clinical employment after graduation. According to the school website, students should be prepared to sit for certification through the ASCP upon completion of their medical laboratory technician school program. This two-year MLT degree transfers to four-year MLS programs.

Students in this program will complete general education courses and 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
• Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Middle States Commission on Higher Education(MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

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
• Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 20 months

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.

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 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, and blood banking.

• Location: Littleton, CO
• Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: One to two years

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 healthcare, venipuncture for healthcare 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 various 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
• Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Five semesters

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 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 in 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
• Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 21 months

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.

• Location: Ogden, UT
• Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

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 meet their individual needs.

This 68-credit program includes courses such as urinalysis and body fluids, hematology and coagulation, immunology, clinical practicum, clinical chemistry, immunohematology, pathogenic microbiology, human parasitology, mycobacterium, and mycology, and laboratory operations and leadership.

• Location: Great Bend, KS
• Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

Albany State University

The Darton College of Health Professions at Albany State University offers an online medical laboratory technology program that prepares students to work as laboratory technicians in hospitals, physicians’ offices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. Graduates of this program are 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 comprises 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
• Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

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
• Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Four semesters

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
• Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Three years

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 includes courses such as medical laboratory skills, urinalysis and immunology, hematology and coagulation, blood bank, clinical microbiology, and clinical chemistry.

• Location: Kankakee, IL
• Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Five semesters

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 June 2024, the NAACLS website lists 244 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 for Medical Lab Technicians

Job demand for medical and clinical lab technicians is expected to grow by 7 percent from 2022 to 2032, according to the BLS (2024). This job growth is higher than the national average (5 percent) and is expected to create 16,800 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 2032, the BLS predicts that 359,700 people in the U.S. will be employed as clinical and medical laboratory technicians, an increase from 342,900 in 2022.

Career Facts	Medical Lab Technician
Related Careers	Biological Technician, Chemical Technician, Dental Laboratory Technician, Veterinary Technician
Common Job Titles	Medical Laboratory Technician, Clinical Laboratory Technician, Medical Technician
Technology & Equipment	Microscopes, Cell Counters, Computerized Instruments

Licensing & Certification of Medical Lab Technicians

Only 11 states require laboratory personnel, such as medical lab technicians, to be licensed. Licensing requirements can vary by state but typically include education, 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 and $10 regulatory fee
• Complete a NAACLS-, CAHEA- or CAAHEP-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 $220 and consists of 210 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

The AMT website provides a list of reference materials to study to help candidates prepare for this exam. Additionally, practice exams are available for purchase to help candidates determine their readiness to sit for the test. Results are available within 48 hours of taking the test, and official certificates follow 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 can schedule their exam at a Pearson VUE test center. This exam costs $225, 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

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.