Obtaining a State License as an MLS

To work as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) in certain states you may need a state license. 

This applies to 10 out of the 50 states currently.  For each of these states you will need for fill out a form (online or written and then mail it in), send in your transcripts, and send in you the ASCP (and other states -- if you have a license in them) to submit your qualifications. These 10 states are

  • Academic Requirements

    Bachelor’s degree containing:

    -16 credits in chemistry, which must include clinical chemistry OR analytical and biochemistry.

    -18 credits in biology, which must include hematology, immunology, and medical microbiology.

    -3 credits of physics (light and electricity).

    All non-U.S. transcripts…

    Training or Experience

    -Minimum one year of post-baccalaureate clinical training as a CLS.

    OR

    -Minimum one year of work experience as a CLS performing high complexity testing in hematology, chemistry, blood bank, and microbiology.

    Training or work experience must cover all areas of the clinical laboratory and must be performed in a clinical laboratory.

    Official verification of training or work experience must be on letterhead and signed by the training coordinator or laboratory director…

    Examinations

    Certifying organizations include:

    -ASCP certification for MLS is approved after October 2002

    -ASCPi (international) certification for International Medical Technologists scientist approved after June 2003.

    -AAB certification for Medical Technologist is approved after January 2003…

    What to Send

    -Official Final Transcript

    -Official License Verification (if you have them from other states)

    -National Certification

    -NACES or AICE course-by-course evaluation.

    -Official verification of training or work experience signed on letterhead and signed…

    Other Requirement

    Online Quiz on State Laboratory Law

    https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OSPHLD/LFS/Pages/CLS.aspx

  • Academic Requirements

    -Have a doctoral, master’s, or bachelor’s degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited institution.

    OR

    -Have earned an associate degree in a laboratory science or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution, or education and training that is equivalent…

    What to Send

    -Official Final Transcript

    -Official License Verification (if you have them from other states)

    -National Certification

    Other Requirement

    -Florida board-approved courses prior to licensure: 1 hour in HIV/AIDS and 2 hours of the prevention of medical errors education.

    https://floridasclinicallabs.gov/licensing/technologist/

  • Academic Requirements

    -Have a bachelor’s degree in a n accredited college or university in medical technology.

    OR

    -Completed 3 academic years of study in an accredited college or university in medical technology

    OR

    -Have a bachelor’s degree in an accredited college or university in chemistry, physical or biological sciences…

    What to Send

    -National Certification verification

    -Official License Verification (if you have them from other states)

    Other Requirement

    -Completed Department of health application of Licensure form.

    -Money order or cashier’s check for application and new license fee

    https://health.hawaii.gov/statelab/licensing/

  • Academic Requirements

    -High School Graduate

    -Professional School that allowed you to sit for the national certification examination.

    What to Send

    -Official Transcripts and Verification of Education

    -Verification of Other Licenses (state licenses and national license)

    Other Requirement

    -Background check

    -Oath or Affirmation (notarized)

    -Third Party Authorization (notarized)

    -Photograph Page (passport quality)

    -Statement of Legal Name…

    https://www.lsbme.la.gov/content/application-instructions-initial-licensure-clinical-laboratory-personnel

  • Academic Requirements

    Graduated from an accredited college or university with a baccalaureate degree with at least 36 semester or 54 quarter hours in the physical and biological sciences.

    Passed generalists' examination offered by a national certifying body for clinical laboratory scientists. This includes: AAB, AACC, AMBG, AMT, ASM, ASCP, or NCA (now merged with ASCP).

    What to Send

    -National Certification verification

    -Official License Verification (if you have them from other states)
    Licensure of Out-of-State Applicants - Other state's current licensing standards must be substantially equivalent to, or greater than, Montana's current licensing standards.

    -Application

    Other Requirement

    -Application Fee

    https://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/clinical-laboratory-science-practitioners/license-information/

  • Academic Requirements

    -Complete a bachelor's degree in medical technology from an accredited institution and pass a national certification exam approved by the Board.

    OR

    -Complete a bachelor's degree in one of the chemical, physical, or biological sciences at an accredited institution, and have at least 1 year of additional full-time experience or training in the specialty or subspecialty in which (s)he performs tests, and pass a national certification examination approved by the board.

    AND

    Applicants must pass a national certification examination

    What to Send

    -National Certification verification

    -Official License Verification (if you have them from other states)

    -Application may require additional requirements

    Other Requirement

    -Payment

    https://dpbh.nv.gov/Reg/MedicalLabs/Medical_Lab_Personnel_Licensing/

  • Academic Requirements

    -Be currently certified as a ASCP (MLS) or ASCi (MLS) or American Medical Technologist with AMT (MLS) credentials.

    OR

    -Be licensed and in good standing with a California CLS Generalist State License or Hawaii Medical Technologist State License

    OR

    -Have a bachelors or masters degree in clinical laboratory technology from a NY registered program or substantially equivalent.

    OR

    -Have a bachelors or masters degree in biology, chemistry, or physical sciences and other options on the website

    What to Send

    -Online application with printed forms required

    -National Certification verification

    -Official License Verification (if you have them from other states) with proper forms from the NY website

    Other Requirement

    -Fees - the New York license is one of the most expensive licence’s to obtain and renew.

    https://www.op.nysed.gov/professions/clinical-laboratory-technologists/full-license-requirements

  • Academic Requirements

    -Bachelor's degree or higher degree in a science-related discipline and successful completion of a national certifying examination approved by the Board.

    What to Send

    -National Certification verification

    -Official transcript sent by the school directly to the NDBCLP or applicant may submit a student-issued transcript in envelope sealed by the school.

    -Official License Verification (if you have them from other states)

    Other Requirement

    -Initial application fee

    https://www.ndclinlab.com/licenserequirements.asp#:~:text=Apply%20for%20Initial%20Licensure&text=Medical%20Technologist%20(MT)%2FClinical,examination%20approved%20by%20the%20Board.

  • Academic Requirements

    -Not listed.

    What to Send

    -Transcripts from any college or university you have attended

    -National Certification verification

    -Official License Verification (if you have them from other states)

    Other Requirement

    -Fees

    -Criminal Background Check

    https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/health-professional-boards/medlab-board/ml-board/applications.html

  • Academic Requirements

    -High School Diploma/GED

    -Degree in Science

    What to Send

    -High School Diploma, College Diploma (science degree), Military 50-week medical technology training course (if applicable)

    -National Certification verification or current membership card

    -Job description if currently employed

    -Official License Verification (if you have them from other states)

    Other Requirement

    -Annual fee

    https://dhhr.wv.gov/ols/regulatory/Pages/Licensure.aspx

To obtain the most up to date information, please read through each state’s websites. The territory of Puerto Rico also requires licensing.

Not all states require a State License!

These states Do NOT require a state license, but a national license may still be required.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Alabama.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Alaska.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Arizona.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Arkansas.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Colorado.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Connecticut.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Delaware.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in the District of Columbia.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Georgia

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Idaho.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Illinois.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Indiana.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Iowa.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Kansas.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Kansas

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Kentucky.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Maine.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Maryland.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Massachusetts.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Michigan.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Minnesota.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Mississippi.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Missouri.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Nebraska.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in New Hampshire.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in the District of New Jersey.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in New Mexico.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in North Carolina.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in North Dakota.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Ohio.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Oklahoma.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Pennsylvania.

  • As of 2016, Rhode Island is no longer requiring a Clinical Laboratory Personnel License.

    But there may be changes in the future.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in South Carolina.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in South Dakota.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Texas.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Utah.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in US Virgin Islands. Non-US Virgin Island you will need to research.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Vermont.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Virgina.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Washington.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Wisconsin.

  • A State License is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Wyoming.