How long does it take to be a laboratory assistant?

Question

Zippia Team · Accepted Answer

It takes between one to four years to become a laboratory assistant. Lab assistants are typically only required to hold a minimum of a high school diploma or GED.

While a person can become a laboratory assistant with only their high school diploma, it is good to pursue additional education. The quickest way is to complete a vocational school program. Some vocational schools offer laboratory assistant training programs to give candidates the information to succeed in the role.

These generally take about one year to complete and offer critical knowledge and experience for laboratory assistants. However, an associate's or bachelor's degree in a scientific field like chemistry, biology, or biotechnology can make a candidate more appealing to employers. These typically take two to four years to achieve but allow a laboratory assistant to progress further in their career.

A person will take courses that help prepare students for a lab assistant role in these programs. These include chemistry, microbiology, biological science, mathematics, statistics, and any studies with hands-on work and lab experience.