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Best medical laboratory technician certifications

Medical laboratory technician certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an medical laboratory technician to employers. However, not all medical laboratory technician certifications provide the same value for job seekers.

The best certifications for a medical laboratory technician are Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT(AAB)), Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), and Medical Labratory Technician (MLT).

Below is a list of the best medical laboratory technician certifications. Obtaining an medical laboratory technician certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.

17 best medical laboratory technician certifications

1. Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT(AAB))

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? No

2. Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)

A Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) draws blood from patients or donors in hospitals, blood banks, or similar facilities for analysis or other medical purposes.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)

3. Medical Labratory Technician (MLT)

Certification translates to an advantage in the work place. Many employers now require certification because they know that individuals who are certified are commited to their profession and to quality patient care. Certified individuals also tend to enjoy higher wages and greater promotional opportunities.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
Certifying organization
American Medical Technologists

4. Medical Technologist (MT(AAB))

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? No
Certifying website
Medical Technologist

5. Medical Assistant

The medical assistant job description varies depending on the employer's needs. A medical assistant is a multi-skilled professional and an asset to a physician.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
Certifying organization
American Society of Phlebotomy...

6. Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS)

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)

7. Medical Technologist (MT)

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? 
Certifying website
Medical Technologist
Certifying organization
AAB - Board of...

8. Clinical Laboratory Technician (CLT)

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)

9. Phlebotomy Technician (PBT(ASCP))

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 10 year(s)

10. Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)

PTCB's pharmacy technician certification program enables technicians to work more effectively with pharmacists to offer safe and effective patient care and service. Certification is achieved by meeting specific eligibility requirements and earning a passing score on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). The PTCB certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
Course that help you to prepare for certification
Become a Pharmacy Technician
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4.7
(2,374)

11. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
Certifying organization
National Registry of Emergency...

12. Medical Technologist (MT(ASCP))

In order to become certified by the ASCP Board of Registry you must meet the academic requirements, the experience/training requirements and then successfully complete a certification examination. Certification examinations are administered year-round using computerized adaptive testing.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? No

13. Medical Laboratory Assistant

This multi-skilled practitioner performs, or assists in performing, clinical laboratory tasks as regulated by law, administrative tasks, and select tasks involving patient contact. Quality improvement, safety, procedural accuracy, knowledge of regulatory practice standards are defining aspects of this practitioner's role.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
Certifying organization
American Medical Technologists

14. Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant (CMLA)

The Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant is one of NHA's National Certification Examinations that is designed for only healthcare school graduates and medical professionals. To be elibible you must be a graduate of a healthcare training program, or have 1 or more years of full time job experience.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)

15. Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (NHA)

A Certified Clinical Medical Assistant is an unlicensed multi-skilled healthcare practitioner who is competent in both a wide variety of clinical and laboratory procedures, as well as many administrative roles. A CCMA may perform some or all of the following duties. However, they are not limited to just these responsibilities:Interviews patients and measures vitals signsPrepares treatment roomsGives injections or treatments and performs venipuncture and laboratory testsCleans and sterilizes equipment.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)

16. Certified Medical Interpreter - Spanish (CMI)

The mission of the National Board is to foster improved healthcare outcomes, patient safety and patient/provider communication, by elevating the standards for and quality of medical interpreting through a nationally recognized and accredited certification for medical interpreters.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)

17. Medical Laboratory Technician Generalist Certification (MLT(AAB))

Individuals may be certified as an MLT(AAB) Generalist after passing the MLT(AAB) Generalist examination.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
Certifying organization
AAB - Board of...

What is the best certification for a medical laboratory technician?

The best medical laboratory technician certification is Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT(AAB)). The Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT(AAB)) is awarded by the American Association of Bioanalysts.

Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this medical laboratory technician certification:

  • To become a certified Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT(AAB)), you need to pass the exam.
  • This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
  • No renewal for certification, if you earn it once it is valid all time.

What are some of the most in-demand certifications for medical laboratory technicians?

The most in-demand medical laboratory technician certification is Medical Technologist based on all active job postings. Having this medical laboratory technician certification will give you access to more medical laboratory technician jobs with higher salaries.

What certifications can impact a medical laboratory technician career and salary?

The Medical Laboratory Technician certification will help you to secure a medical technologist position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A medical technologist's average salary is $49,558 whereas medical laboratory technicians make an average salary of $51,780.

Best certifications

The most common combination of medical laboratory technician certifications include: Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT(AAB)), Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), and Medical Labratory Technician (MLT).

Online courses for medical laboratory technicians to earn certifications

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