MDT (AMT) - Molecular Diagnostic Technician

The Molecular Diagnostics Technologist (MDT) certification validates the knowledge and skills of entry-level Molecular Diagnostics Technologists performing molecular diagnostic DNA-based tests in a lab. American Medical Technologists (AMT) offers the MDT exam.

Eligibility

To be eligible to take the MDT exam, applicants must meet all the requirements within one of 4 pathways:

• Medical Technologist Certification Pathway

  • Medical Technologist (MT) or equivalent certification

  • A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, or an equivalent degree from an international institution with official transcripts

  • A minimum of 6 months of full-time laboratory experience within the last 5 years 

• Molecular Science Program Pathway

  • A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, or an equivalent degree from an international institution with official transcripts

  • 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) of biological science, chemistry, mathematics or medical science courses

  • Completion of a diagnostic molecular science program within the past 5 years, or if graduated more than 5 years ago, at least 6 months of full-time laboratory experience within the last 5 years

• Laboratory Science Education Pathway

  • A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, or an equivalent degree from an international institution with official transcripts

  • At least 1 year of full-time laboratory experience within the last 5 years

  • A major in biological science or chemistry or 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) of biology, chemistry or medical science courses with at least 1 year of molecular science experience in the last 5 years

• Advanced Science Degree Pathway

  • Graduate-level degree in immunology, microbiology, chemistry, biology, allied health, clinical laboratory sciences or a related field, or an equivalent degree from an international institution with official transcripts

  • At least 6 months of full-time laboratory experience within the last 5 years

  • At least 6 months of molecular science experience within the last 5 years

Completion Time: Candidates have 3 hours to complete the MDT exam

Cost

• U.S. testing fee: $235

• International testing fee: $245

• Retesting fee: $125

Exam Format

The MDT exam includes 200 multiple-choice questions. Candidates have 3 hours to complete the exam and the minimum passing scaled score is 70. MDT exam topics include:

• General Laboratory (36 questions/18%)

  • Safety

  • Reagent and Supplies

  • Quality Assurance and Quality Control

  • HIPAA Compliance

  • Safety Data Sheets

  • Lab Equipment and Instrumentation

  • Policies and Procedures

  • Basic Dilutions

• General Molecular Diagnostics Theory (40 questions/20%)

  • DNA/RNA

  • Proteins and Protein Expression

  • Endonucleases and Exonucleases

  • Basic Genetics

  • Infectious Diseases

  • Oncology

  • Pharmacogenomics

• Molecular Laboratory Procedures (20 questions/10%)

  • Sources of Contamination

  • Molecular vs. Biological Contaminants

  • Workflow, Test Setup, and Physical Separation

  • QC Metrics

  • Specimen Acceptability

  • Laboratory-Developed Tests

  • Pipette Technique

  • Proficiency Testing

  • Regulatory Requirements

  • DNA and RNA Extraction

• Diagnostic Methods (104 questions/52%)

  • Molecular Diagnostic Assays

  • Primer Design

  • Primer Performance

  • Reconstitute Reagents

  • Controls

  • Positive and Negative Tests

  • Calibrations for Quantitative Tests

  • Statistics of Positive and Negative Rates

  • Standard Curve

  • MicroRNA

  • Housekeeping Genes

  • Mutation References

  • Polymerase Chain Reaction

  • Assays

  • Sequencing

  • Microarrays

  • Additional Techniques

  • DNA/RNA Extraction

Test Dates

Applicants can register to take the MDT exam anytime Monday through Saturday based on availability at their selected Pearson VUE Testing Center.

Test Results

Test results appear on the computer screen following test completion. AMT also mails a detailed score report to examinees.

Online Application

• Go to the certification website 

• Click “Apply Now” next to the correct eligibility pathway

• Create an account or log in

• Select “Molecular Diagnostic Technologist (MDT)”

• Click the correct eligibility pathway

• Enter contact information

• Enter education and training information

• Enter employment history

• Click “Agree” under the Examinee Agreement

• Click “Submit:

• Enter payment information

Allow 2 to 3 weeks for processing. AMT issues an Authorization to Test (ATT) upon approval.

MDT is valid for 3 years, and certification holders must pay an annual fee. Renewal applicants can renew by retaking the exam or earning Certification Continuation Program (CCP) points.

Renewal by Exam

• Print the Recertification by Exam form 

• Complete contact information

• Check the box next to “Molecular Diagnostics Technologist (MDT)”

• Answer personal information

• Sign and date the Examinee Agreement

• Check the box next to “MDT”

• Include payment information

• Submit by emailing to [email protected] or mailing to American Medical Technologists, 10700 West Higgins Road, Suite 150, Rosemont, IL 60018

Once AMT processes the application, MDT exam candidates receive an ATT and can schedule their exam with Pearson VUE.

Renewal by CCPs

• Print the Recertification by CCP form

• Complete the checklist

• Complete contact information

• Check the box next to “Molecular Diagnostics Technologist (MDT)”

• Answer personal information

• Insert CCP information

• Sign and date the Attestation

• Check the box next to “MDT”

• Include payment information

• Submit by emailing to [email protected] or mailing to American Medical Technologists, 10700 West Higgins Road, Suite 150, Rosemont, IL 60018

Renewal Fees

Annual fee of $110 plus:

• Renewal by Exam: $310

• Renewal by CCPs: $310

To be eligible for renewal, applicants must:

• Hold a current, active MDT certification from the AMT

• Complete 36 CCPs or retake the MDT exam

• Pay renewal fee

Part of the renewal process requires 36 CCP points. Qualifying activities include:

• Professional Education (no maximum)

• Formal Education (45 points maximum)

• Authorship of Scholarly Works (no maximum)

• Instructional Presentations (no maximum)

• Organizational Participation (9 points maximum)

For full information, refer to the Qualified CCP activities. Applicants can track their CCP points on AMTs online portal, AMTrax.

AMT provides several resources to help prepare for the MDT exam, including:

• MDT Content Outline

• Certification Handbook

• MDT Reference Materials

The AMT also offers the following certifications:

• Medical Technologist (MT)

• Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)

• Medical Administrative Specialist (CMAS)

• Medical Laboratory Assistant (CMLA)

• Phlebotomy Technician (RPT)

• Certified Laboratory Consultant (CLC)