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How to become a Medical Technologist: a step-by-step guide

Before we start to figure this out it's useful to delineate what exactly a medical technologist is (compared with a technician, etc.). Even my friends who work in the medical field don't know what I do and assume I'm a glorified phlebotomist. S...M...H....


Medical technologists—also known as clinical laboratory scientists (CLS) or medical laboratory scientists (MLS)—play a vital role in healthcare. They are the professionals behind the scenes who perform complex laboratory testing that helps doctors diagnose, treat, and monitor disease. Every blood test, culture, and pathology screen relies on their expertise. For students interested in science, medicine, and technology, this career offers both intellectual challenge and job stability.


Becoming a medical technologist involves a structured combination of education, training, and certification. Below is a clear, numbered, and color-coded outline of the process.


If you are organized, pay attention to detail, enjoy the scientific process, and care about patients, this will be a good profession for you. So here goes, the steps to become a Medical Technologist:


Becoming a scientist is an evolution.
Becoming a scientist is an evolution.

Step 1. Earn a High School Diploma (or Equivalent)


The first step begins with a strong foundation in science and math during high school. Students interested in this career should take biology, chemistry, physics, and algebra. Volunteering or shadowing in hospitals or laboratories can provide valuable early exposure to healthcare environments. But this is not required. Just graduate with a good enough GPA to get into college!


Step 2. Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Laboratory Science or a Related Field.


A four-year bachelor’s degree is required. Many students major in Medical Laboratory Science, but related majors such as Biology, Chemistry, or Microbiology will also qualify if they include the proper coursework.


Typical required classes include (depending on the program):

  • General and organic chemistry

  • Microbiology

  • Anatomy and Physiology

  • Mathematics


Step 3. Complete a Clinical Internship or Practicum


Students complete a clinical internship at a hospital or reference laboratory. This rotation covers all areas of the lab, including hematology, chemistry, microbiology, urinalysis, and transfusion services. The experience provides real-world application of skills under the supervision of certified technologists and laboratory directors.


The internship is most commonly one year and can be done post-baccalaureate through a separate program from your college (this what I did). It can take one or two years depending on the program.


Step 4. Apply for National Certification


Most employers require national certification. The most recognized certifying agency is the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), which grants the MLS (ASCP) credential. Other (less common) options include AMT (American Medical Technologists) or AAB (American Association of Bioanalysts).


To qualify, applicants must meet educational and clinical experience requirements and pass a comprehensive board examination that covers all major laboratory disciplines. This test is quite difficult and takes several hours. But if you have completed a comprehensive program and study, you are likely to pass, and most people do pass the first time.


Step 5. Obtain State Licensure (if Required)


Some U.S. states, such as California, New York, Florida, and Louisiana, require a state license in addition to national certification. The licensing process may involve submitting transcripts, proof of certification, and sometimes an additional exam.


To become or not to become: Considering a career in the lab.
To become or not to become: Considering a career in the lab.


Now you've become a certified medical technologist. What now?



Step 6. Begin Working as a Medical Technologist


Once certified (and licensed where necessary), individuals can work in hospital laboratories, public health labs, private diagnostic labs, or research settings. Medical technologists analyze specimens, operate laboratory instruments, ensure quality control, and assist physicians in diagnosis and treatment decisions.


On a typical day, a medical technologist may analyze blood and body fluids, identify infectious organisms, perform compatibility testing for transfusions, or monitor complex analyzers for quality control. The work combines scientific skill, critical thinking, and responsibility, since patient outcomes depend on the accuracy of the results.

Job prospects are strong.


The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects steady growth in laboratory professions, driven by an aging population, new testing technologies, and increased demand for diagnostics.


7. Maintain Certification Through Continuing Education


Certification must be renewed every few years, typically by completing continuing education (CE) credits. This ensures technologists stay current with evolving technologies, safety standards, and best practices in laboratory medicine. The most common certification organization, the ASCP, requires 36 credit hours per three-year renewal term. These can be completed by formal courses, college classes, participation in conferences, and online trainings.




Becoming a medical technologist can be a meaningful and intellectually rewarding career path. It requires dedication to science, accuracy, and patient care. From the first day in a classroom chemistry lab to the final certification exam, each step builds the knowledge and skill needed to provide high-quality diagnostic information that saves lives.


Medical technologists are the quiet (or underappreciated, depending on whom you're talking to) heroes of modern medicine—scientists working tirelessly behind every accurate diagnosis. For those who love science and want to work in healthcare, the laboratory is a worthwhile journey.



 
 
 
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