CLS - Clinical Laboratory Scientist
- Cost $250
- Renews every 3 years
COURSE FORMAT
About
A Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) is also known as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), so certification is the same for both professionals. This professional credential signifies a high level of proficiency and knowledge in laboratory sciences. It’s designed for individuals who perform a full range of laboratory tests and play a crucial role in diagnosing and treating diseases. This certification is often required for working in hospital laboratories, research labs and diagnostic labs. The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) is the certifying body for CLS/MLS certification, recognized for its rigorous standards and comprehensive examination.
Eligibility
As of January 2024, the American Society of Clinical Pathology offers six options to meet eligibility requirements:
Hold a Bachelor’s degree from a medical laboratory scientist program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
Certification as a medical laboratory technician, plus a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution plus two years of full-time clinical lab experience
Certification as a clinical laboratory assistant, plus a bachelor’s degree, plus four years of professional experience
Hold a Bachelor’s degree plus 5 years of related work experience
Current ASCP medical technician (MT)/medical laboratory science (MLS) certification, plus a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, plus five years of full-time clinical experience
Completion of a 50-week US military medical laboratory training course in the past ten years, plus a bachelor’s degree plus one year of full-time clinical experience
Once eligibility is met, candidates must apply for the certification exam. The application for CLS/MLS certification is completed online through an ASCP account. Candidates must submit the application fee within 90 days of the application start date.
Candidates who pass the exam receive a notification via email to view their exam scores within 4 business days of completing the exam. They receive their wall certificates in approximately 3 to 5 weeks for U.S. mail and 6 to 9 weeks for International mail.
Unsuccessful candidates may reapply. They may retake the exam up to 5 times under the same eligibility route. If they fail 5 times under this route, they must meet the eligibility requirements under an alternate eligibility route. If they don't meet any of the alternate requirements, they're no longer eligible to apply for the CLS/MLS exam. Each time an applicant applies to take the CLS/MLS exam, they must pay the full $250 application fee.
Completion Time: 2.5 hours
Cost: $250 nonrefundable
Course Format
Exam Format
Applicants have 2.5 hours to complete the CLS/MLS exam, which has 100 multiple-choice questions with one right answer. Testers can’t skip questions.
The ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) administers the MLS certification exam using the format of Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT). The CAT format measures knowledge and skills more accurately than standard fixed-form tests. Test takers can't skip items because the CAT algorithm measures the individual’s ability level for each question answered. Each exam adjusts to the test takers’ knowledge level, and every exam is unique.
The exam content covers areas within Medical Laboratory Science, including blood banking, urinalysis, chemistry, hematology, immunology, and lab operations. Examinations are scored on a scale of 0 to 999, with a minimum passing scaled score of 400.
Exam Results
The computer-based exam is scored electronically. Applicants receive Pass/Fail results immediately at exam completion. The ASCP BOC emails a detailed score report within 24 hours. Successful applicants receive their certificates in the mail within 3 to 5 weeks of passing the exam.
Applicants take the MLS exam in person at a Pearson VUE test center. They must report to the testing center 30 minutes before their scheduled test time. Applicants must supply a government-issued photo ID with a signature. The first and last name on this ID must match the name the applicant used to register for the exam.
Pearson VUE provides a locker to store all personal belongings, which can't be taken into the testing room. The Test Administrator (TA) may collect a digital photograph, digital signature, and/or palm vein image and complete other check-in procedures. Applicants receive a checklist of test-taking rules to read. The exam is computer-based and monitored by the TA. There's no interaction allowed between test takers during the exam.
Certification
Application Process
Steps to Obtain the CLS/MLS Certification
Determine your exam category and eligibility route
Log in or create an ASCP account
Complete the online application
Upload appropriate documentation as PDF files within the online application
Submit the non-refundable $240 application fee within 90 days of starting application
Request academic institution to send official transcripts to the ASCP BOC, if applicable
Monitor application status by logging into the ASCP account to View the Status
Applicants receive email notifications when changes in status occur
Resolve any deficiencies with the application
Await Admission Notification email
Schedule exam date with Pearson VUE
Prepare for exam day
Await official exam results
Renewal
Certified medical lab scientists must renew their MLS certification every three years. MLS certification renewal requires continuing education activities defined by the Credential Maintenance Program (CMP).
Renewal Fees
Renewal fee: $95
Reinstatement fee: $125
Fee is reduced by $15 if renewing multiple ASCP certifications that expire on the same day or will expire within three months of each other.
Beginning July 1, 2024:
CMP fees for all credentials will increase by $5.
CMP reinstatement fees for all credentials will increase by $10.
CMP fees for additional credentials will increase by $5.
CMP fees are non-refundable.
Continuing Education
MLS certification renewal requires 36 points in continuing education activities defined by the Credential Maintenance Program (CMP).
Required point distribution for CLS/MLS certification renewal includes:
2 points in each category: blood banking, chemistry, hematology and microbiology
1 point in laboratory or patient safety
1 point in medical ethics
26 points in lab specialty, immunology, molecular diagnostics, management, education or other related laboratory areas of interest
Beginning with certification cycles expiring in January 2024 and going forward, revised CMP requirements will increase the points required in blood banking, chemistry, hematology and microbiology from 2 to 8, but the other total CMP points won’t increase.
Other Resources
The ASCP offers the following resources for exam candidates, including:
Review Course (Cost: $59 for non-members and $49 for members)
Practice Exam (Cost: $99 for non-members and $89 for members)
Study Guide and Review Course (Cost: $129 for non-members and $109 for members)
Study Guide, Review Course and Practice Exam (Cost: $139 for non-members and $119 for members)
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Frequently asked questions
What are some certifications can I pursue after obtaining Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) certification?
You can pursue ASCP Technologist in Blood Banking (BB), ASCP Technologist in Chemistry (C), ASCP Technologist in Cytogenetics (CG), ASCP Technologist in Hematology (H), ASCP Histotechnician (HT), ASCP Histotechnologist (HTL), ASCP Technologist in Molecular Biology (MB) or ASCP Technologist in Microbiology (M), among others.
If you reside in the state of California, certification through the California DPH plays a key role in ensuring that Californians have access to accurate and reliable clinical and public health lab testing and safe sources of blood and tissue for transfusion and transplantation.
What organization offers Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) graduate's certification?
What other certifications should I consider after getting the Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS)?
If you reside in the state of California, certification through the California DPH plays a key role in ensuring that Californians have access to accurate and reliable clinical and public health lab testing and safe sources of blood and tissue for transfusion and transplantation.
Is there a difference between a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) and a Medical Technologist (MT)?
No, Clinical Laboratory Scientists (CLS) are also known as Medical Technologists (MT). CLS/MTs are healthcare professionals who perform a variety of chemical, hematological, immunologic, microscopic and bacteriological testing on body fluids.
What settings does a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) work in?
Clinical Laboratory Scientists (CLS) work in hospitals, clinics, forensic institutions, public health and industries such as biotech and research.
What type of testing does a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) perform?
Clinical Laboratory Scientists (CLS) perform a wide variety of testing, including:
Identification of infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites
Analysis of blood to detect disorders such as leukemia, hemophilia and immunodeficiency
Measuring the presence of antibodies in blood to indicate infection with agents like HIV
Assuring the quality of blood for transfusions
What is the average tuition and fees for Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) programs?
The average tuition and fees of the Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) program vary based on the number of hours taken each semester, whether the enrolled courses have laboratory fees and whether you're an in-state or out-of-state student. As an example, earning a Medical Laboratory Sciences Master of Science degree at UT Health San Antonio costs $19,061 for in-state students or $35,442 for out-of-state students for the first year and $16,739 or $31,439 for year two.