AMT MT Certification - Medical Technologist Transitioned to MLS
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Certification by the American Medical Technologists (AMT) gives medical technologists (MT) and other allied health professionals numerous advantages. It is important to note that, “The AMT Medical Technologist (MT) designation has transitioned to Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) since early 2023.”
To this end, all AMT-certified medical technologists will be entitled to use the MLS credential, even if they qualified for certification prior to AMT’s requiring a baccalaureate degree for MTs. To differentiate between certifying organizations that award the MLS credential, certificates will be expected to place the initials of the applicable certifying body in parentheses after the MLS designation, such as MLS(AMT) or MLS(ASCP).
To maintain the MLS certification, the current MT requirements still apply for those certified on or before January 1, 2006. Current MT members who are grandfathered under AMT’s Continuing Certification Program (CCP) by virtue of having been initially certified before January 1, 2006, will continue to be grandfathered and will not be required (but are still encouraged) to participate in CCP to maintain their credentials.
First and foremost, certification offers individuals opportunities to validate their skills and competencies learned in their degree programs and laboratory work experience. Secondly, allied health professionals can stay informed of best practices through continuing education and professional development through certification. Lastly, AMT certification upholds professional quality standards in both national and international allied healthcare fields. The National Commission accredits AMT’s competency-based exams National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
Applicants for the medical technologist certification exam (now transitioned to MLS certification exam) must have completed a baccalaureate degree in medical laboratory science (or equivalent) within the past five years from a program or institution accredited by a recognized regional or national accreditation agency to be eligible for certification. Once eligibility has been verified, applicants must complete an online application, pay the fees, and prepare for and take the examinations. Test preparation materials are available on the American Medical Technologists website to help students prepare for and successfully pass their examinations.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024), applicants for medical laboratory scientist positions must have earned a baccalaureate in medical technology and completed their academic program within the past five years. Alternatively, applicants who have previously taken and passed a generalist MLS examination given by another certification organization or state licensure agency may apply and prove that the AMT Board has approved the examination of Directors.
In addition to national certification, an individual’s state of residence may have its own certification examinations, registration, and licensing requirements for medical laboratory scientists. States may recognize components of the national exam for some of their standards and may have additional requirements for specific certifications for licensure in allied health professions.
Read on for a complete guide to medical technologists/medical laboratory scientists and other associated allied health positions, including medical laboratory technician (MLT), medical laboratory assistant (CMLA), and registered medical assistant (RMA) certification. Pearson Vue administers the AMT exams for the certifications mentioned above.
Medical Laboratory Scientist – AMT MLS Certification [Formerly Known as AMT Medical Technologist Certification]
The American Medical Technologists (AMT) medical laboratory scientist (MLS) Exam covers a comprehensive list of medical knowledge areas, including general laboratory; chemistry; hematology; coagulation and hemostasis; immunology and serology; immunohematology; blood banking and transfusion services; microbiology; and urinalysis and body fluids. In addition, to help candidates prepare, AMT offers online MLS practice exams for $40.
There are three pathways of eligibility to sit for the AMT MLS exam:
Education
The first pathway is obtaining a baccalaureate degree in medical laboratory science (or equivalent) within the past five years from a program or institution accredited by a recognized regional or national accreditation agency. Acceptable programs must include a clinical rotation through the following sections of the laboratory: microbiology, blood banking, hematology, and chemistry.
For students who graduated more than five years ago, a minimum of one year of approved clinical laboratory experience is required.
MLT or Military
Secondly, an applicant may apply if they have obtained a baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a recognized regional or national accreditation agency, or an equivalent degree from a foreign institution as certified by a foreign transcript evaluation agency approved by AMT. Also, they must have completed a minimum of one year of approved clinical laboratory experience.
Moreover, applicants must have completed an acceptable program containing a clinical rotation through the following sections of the laboratory: microbiology, blood banking, hematology, and chemistry through either: an accredited medical laboratory technician (MLT) program or a 50-week US military medical laboratory training program.
Alternate Education
Thirdly, an applicant with a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution who has completed 35 credits of coursework related to clinical laboratory sciences may apply. Additionally, applicants must have completed an accredited medical laboratory science training program or completed a minimum of one year of approved clinical laboratory experience through blood banking, microbiology, chemistry, and hematology.
Applicants who have successfully met all the eligibility requirements and passed the AMT exam for medical laboratory scientists are automatically registered and certified in the AMT database. A $245 fee is required at the time of application for MLS certification.
To maintain certification, medical technologists must pay an annual fee of $110, comply with the certification continuation program set forth by AMT every three years, and abide by the AMT standards of practice.
Medical Laboratory Technician – AMT MLT Certification
The American Medical Technologists (AMT) Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) Exam covers standard clinical laboratory tests, including hematology/coagulation, immunology/serology, immunohematology/blood banking, microbiology, clinical microscopy/urinalysis, and chemistry. In addition, to help candidates prepare, AMT offers online MLT practice exams for $40.
There are three possible routes to sit for the AMT MLT certification exam:
Education
The first route is for applicants to obtain an associate’s degree in medical laboratory technician from an accredited institution. The educational programs must include clinical laboratory experience in blood banking, microbiology, chemistry, and hematology. Applicants must have graduated from their degree program within the past five years and must also have a minimum of six months of clinical full-time and paid laboratory experience.
Alternate Education Route
The second route option to apply for MLT certification is to have at least two years (or 60 semester-hours) of courses earned from an institution accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency. Twenty-five of the hours mentioned above must be related to various subjects in clinical laboratory sciences (e.g., chemistry, biology, mathematics, or computer science). Applicants may apply no more than six semesters of mathematics or computer science toward the 25-hour requirement. A minimum of six months of approved full-time clinical laboratory experience is also required for this eligibility option. In addition, applicants must have obtained laboratory experience within the previous five years.
Military
The third route of eligibility for the MLT exam is completing a 50-week U.S. military medical laboratory training program by an accredited institution. The curricula for acceptable educational programs must include clinical experience in a laboratory’s blood banking, microbiology, chemistry, and hematology sections. In addition, as with the last two options, applicants must have completed their laboratory experience within the past five years and have a minimum of six months of full-time paid laboratory work experience.
Once applicants have proven eligibility requirements and passed the AMT exam for medical laboratory technician (MLT), they are automatically registered and certified in the AMT database. A $220 fee is required at the time of application for MLT certification.
As mentioned above, an alternative pathway to AMT certification is holding an active generalist MLT credential by a certification or state licensing board approved by the AMT Board of Directors. Documentation of education and five years of professional experience is required, and if approved, no examination is required.
To maintain certification, medical laboratory technicians must pay an annual fee of $110 and keep their proof of professional competency by complying with the certification continuation program set forth by AMT every three years.
Medical Laboratory Assistant – AMT CMLA Certification
American Medical Technologists (AMT) offers a Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant (CMLA) Exam. The review materials are separated into four modules: laboratory safety and quality; pre-examination; examination considerations; and patient test management, communications, and foundations.
There are two routes available to pursue AMT CMLA certification.
Education Route
Applicants need to have completed (or be scheduled to graduate from) an academic course of study that includes a minimum of 200 didactic hours and a minimum of 120 hours of documented and approved clinical laboratory experience. A minimum of 100 hours of study of fundamental laboratory technology is required. Applicants must have graduated from their academic programs within the last five years or provide proof of approved laboratory experience.
Work Experience
People applying for certification through this route must have satisfactorily completed a minimum of 1,040 hours of work experience in the past three years, emphasizing laboratory technology in a healthcare setting. In addition, a minimum of 520 hours of clinical laboratory experience is required.
After providing proof of eligibility requirements and passing the AMT exam for medical laboratory assistants, applicants are automatically registered and certified in the AMT database. The CMLA exam fee is $135.
To maintain certification, medical laboratory technicians must pay an annual fee of $110 and submit proof of professional competency every three years by complying with the certification continuation program as determined by the AMT.
Registered Medical Assistant – AMT RMA Certification
The American Medical Technologists (AMT) also offers a course for medical assistants preparing to take the Medical Assistant (RMA) Exam. The review materials are separated into four modules: anatomy and physiology; administrative medical assisting; clinical procedural tasks; and clinical patient interaction. The RMA exam fee is $150. In addition, to help candidates prepare, AMT offers online RMA practice exams for $30.
There are five possible pathways to sit for the AMT RMA certification exam:
Education
Applicants must be recent graduates (or be scheduled to graduate from) an accredited medical assistant program with a minimum of 720 hours of training, including 160 hours of clinical externship. Applicants must be graduates within the past four years.
Apprenticeship/Workforce Development Program
Applicants in this route must have completed a medical assisting work-study or training program within the last four years such as a federally recognized State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA); an apprenticeship program registered with the US Department of Labor (DOL); or a workforce development/employer program.
Military
Applicants must have graduated from or be scheduled to graduate from a formal medical services training program in the United States Armed Forces within the last four years.
Work Experience
Applicants who opt for this route must prove having been employed as a medical assistant for at least five out of the previous seven years in full-time equivalent paid positions. No more than two years of that time should have been spent as an instructor in a postsecondary medical assistant program. Additionally, applicants must be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and verify work experience in clinical and administrative duties. Proof of high school graduation is required as a minimum level of education.
Instructor
Applicants in this pathway must be currently teaching in an accredited medical assisting program; have completed a course of instruction in a healthcare field related to medical assisting; and must have a minimum of five years of full-time teaching experience in a medical assisting discipline, including a range of clinical and administrative competencies. In addition, applicants with one and five years of full-time teaching experience must provide proof of three years of full-time clinical work experience in a healthcare profession.
Upon submitting proof of eligibility requirements and passing the AMT exam for registered medical assistants, applicants are automatically registered and certified in the AMT database of professionals. The RMA exam fee is $150.
To maintain certification, registered medical assistants must pay an annual fee of $110 and submit proof of continuing education competencies every three years by complying with the certification continuation program as determined by the AMT.
