Many employers prefer applicants who are certified by a recognized professional association. Associations offering certification include the Board of Registry of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (www.ascp.org), the American Medical Technologists (www.amt1.com), the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (www.ncalp.org) , and the Board of Registry of the American Association of Bioanalysts (www.aab.org). These agencies have different requirements for certification and different organizational sponsors.
Some states require laboratory personnel to be licensed or registered on a state level. Licensure of technologists often requires a bachelor’s degree and the passing of an exam, but requirements vary by State and specialty. Information on licensure is available from State departments of health or boards of occupational licensing.
National certifications and most state licensures require annual continuing education credits (CEUs) for certification and license renewal.
Advancement. Technicians can advance and become technologists through additional education and experience. Technologists may advance to supervisory positions in laboratory work or may become chief medical or clinical laboratory technologists or laboratory managers in hospitals. Manufacturers of laboratory equipment and supplies also seek experienced technologists to work in product development, marketing, and sales.
Professional certification and a graduate degree in medical technology, one of the biological sciences, chemistry, management, or education usually facilitates advancement. A doctorate degree generally is needed to become a laboratory director. Federal regulation requires directors of moderately complex laboratories to have either a master’s degree or a bachelor’s degree, combined with the appropriate amount of training and experience.
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