Are Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) Certifications Worth It?

What Is an MLS Certification?

If you’re wondering, ‘Is the MLS certification worth it?’, read on because we’ll discuss it. You’ll also know its cost and benefits, and the steps to earn it. We’ll also feature affordable online programs if you want to pursue them.

What is the Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) certification in the first place? The MLS certification is a professional credential that offers these features and benefits:

Awarded to healthcare professionals who work as medical laboratory scientists in diverse workplaces
Validates their specialized knowledge and skills (i.e., perform complex laboratory tests)
Attests to their compliance with stringent eligibility requirements
Administered by an accrediting organization [American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)]

We must emphasize that getting certified as an MLS isn’t required on the federal level. But many employers either require or prefer applicants to be certified.

Some states also require an MLS certificate to pass a national certification exam to secure a license. It applies to professionals in California, Florida, and New York, among other states.

What the Day-to-day Responsibilities Are

Every MLS has specific roles and responsibilities depending on their position and experience. But their day-to-day responsibilities include:

Work with doctors and other healthcare professionals.
Examine and analyze body specimens (e.g., blood, tissues, and body fluids).
Generate reports about their examinations and relay them to doctors.
Use high-precision lab equipment (e.g., cell counters and microscopes).
Cross-match blood samples for transfusion purposes.
Perform tests for abnormal cells in the diagnosis of diseases (e.g., leukemia and anemia).
Track patient outcomes.
Establish safety and quality assurance measures to ensure accurate test results.
Oversee medical laboratory technicians (MLTs).

An MLS plays a set of crucial roles in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of diseases. Between 60% and 70% of decisions in these matters are based on their tests.

Who Should Consider the MLS Certification

The ideal candidates for MLS certification include:

Recent graduates with a bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science
Professionals with a biology or chemistry degree seeking clinical careers
Certified laboratory technicians who want to become MLS (i.e., career progression)
Military personnel and veterans looking for civilian healthcare jobs

So, if you’re still interested, read on until the end.

How Do You Become a Certified Medical Laboratory Scientist?

Here’s a basic guide on how to become a medical laboratory scientist (MLS).

Educational Requirements

Start by earning a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Medical Laboratory Science. Check that it’s from an NAACLS-accredited program or equivalent.

Hands-on Training

Aspiring MLS must undergo intensive hands-on training, too. Candidates must complete either an internship or a clinical practicum.

Hospital laboratories and other clinical settings are the usual training environments. Here, you’ll develop practical skills in:

Conducting and analyzing lab tests
Operating lab equipment and tools
Following safety and quality control protocols

Certification Exam Process

After earning your degree, you can start the medical laboratory scientist certification process.

Gather your eligibility documents first. These include your transcripts, an authenticity letter, and a program completion form.
Upload your PDF documents (under 10MB) to the ASCP portal. Choose Route 1 if you have a bachelor’s degree without clinical experience.
Pay the non-refundable application fee.
Wait for ASCP’s approval, usually in 1-4 weeks. You’ll receive a confirmation email.
Schedule your exam at a Pearson VUE. This is usually valid for 3 months from email issuance.

You must pass the MLS exam before you can receive your official certificate.

Note these important aspects, too.

The ASCP offers other routes toward MLS certification. A bachelor’s degree in any field and relevant clinical experience are a must.
The ASCP isn’t the only certification agency, although it’s the most widely recognized. Check out these organizations, too:
- American Medical Technologists (AMT)
- American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB)

If possible, plan your MLS path with a career counselor while you’re still in high school.

How Much Does an MLS Certification Cost?

Cost is one-half of the question, ‘Is MLS certification worth it?’. The other half is the return on investment (ROI) and other non-monetary benefits.

Let’s start with the MLS certification cost, a major consideration in your decision. Funding is a significant concern among college students, and it extends beyond graduation. Student loan debt can, unfortunately, delay career progression and life milestones.

Cost of a Bachelor’s Degree

The average cost of attendance is $38,270/student/year in the US. Now, consider that the annual median income is $62,088/year among full-time wage and salary workers. No wonder that the cost of college is a significant concern among many families.

The cost of NAACLS-accredited bachelor’s degree programs varies. But it ranges between $5,000 and $20,000 or more per year, depending on factors like:

Public or private institution
In-state or out-of-state status

Ask whether the “tuition and fees” already include clinical training or not.

Add your indirect costs, such as room and board, books and supplies, and living expenses. Direct costs (tuition and fees) comprise 40% of the cost of attendance; it’s 60% for indirect costs.

So, you’ll likely spend between $12,500/year and $50,000/year in total cost of attendance (i.e., without financial aid).

Certification-related Expenses

After earning your bachelor’s degree, you’ll spend money on these expenses.

Application fee (ASCP): $250
Preparation courses and study materials: $150-$600 or more, depending on the provider

In all, you’ll likely spend between $400 and $850 or more on certification-related expenses.

Money-saving Tips

If you’re worried about the cost, keep these tips in mind to reduce it.

Start with affordable programs. Consider public schools and being an in-state student. Check out community colleges with transfer programs.
Apply for financial aid. File your FAFSA. Explore scholarships, grants, and work-study.
Consider online or hybrid programs.
Use free and low-cost preparation materials.
Prepare so that you’ll only take the certification exam once.

Cost isn’t a hindrance to your aspirations. Start with effective financial planning and management. Follow through with frugal habits.

Are There Scholarships or Financial Aid for MLS Certification?

Yes, there’s a wide range of financial aid for MLS certification students. But while these are available, they won’t fall into your lap either. You must adopt a proactive and active approach, from finding to getting approved.

File your complete and accurate FAFSA on or before the deadline. The FAFSA isn’t only the gateway to federal student aid. Many state-based programs and need-based scholarships also use it.
Explore school-specific scholarships and grants. Ask for financial aid for MLS students from your college, too. Consider all types, too – need-based, merit-based, and diversity scholarships.
Look into professional organization scholarships. ASCP offers outstanding scholarships for medical laboratory science students. The Dr. Alvin Ring Empowerment Scholarship for Laboratory Professionals is popular.
Explore population-specific financial aid, too. Examples include:
- Employer tuition reimbursement or sponsorship for employees
- State and local grants (e.g., workforce development grants)
- Military and veteran education benefits (e.g., Post-9/11 GI Bill and military discounts)
Use scholarship search engines and databases, too. Fastweb and Scholarship.com provide comprehensive search features.

What Are the Career Benefits of Getting Certified?

If the cost is still a significant issue, consider the benefits of MLS certification. Besides, every well-paying healthcare career has its costs and challenges. Becoming a certified MLS isn’t an exception.

Higher Salary Potential

Certified MLS professionals can earn higher salaries than their non-certified colleagues. Certification signals proven expertise in medical laboratory science. Employers place a premium on it (i.e., more productivity, less supervision).

The average certified medical lab scientist salary is $132,484/year (Glassdoor, 2025). More work experience and training usually mean higher wages.

Increased Job Stability

Again, employers require or prefer a certified MLS. This means increased job stability and security, and decreased risk of unemployment. In fact, most certified MLS professionals work full-time.

Their increased job stability also stems from the strong demand for their services. Projected job growth for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians is 5% (BLS, 2023-2033). It is attributed to many factors, including:

An aging population that needs more diagnostic lab tests
An increase in demand for prenatal testing for genetic conditions
Technological advancements in healthcare tools and techniques

Bigger Job Opportunities in Healthcare Settings

The MLS certification isn’t only ink on paper – it’s a key that opens doors of opportunities. Certified MLS can work in diverse settings, including:

Hospitals and clinics
Public health labs
Forensic labs
Research institutions
Biotechnology companies
Pharmaceutical companies
Veterinary clinics

Plus, you’ll appreciate the personal fulfillment of being part of a healthcare team.

Is an MLS Certification Really Worth It?

Yes, it is. But it must align with your interests and goals so you can enjoy its value. You must also leverage the credential so it opens job opportunities. Otherwise, it’s just ink on paper.

You should also consider these pros and cons. Doing so means you’ll get a balanced perspective of its benefits and tradeoffs.

Pros

Increased professional credibility
Higher earning potential
More job opportunities, especially for supervisory or specialized positions
National and international recognition and, thus, career mobility
Increased potential for career progression (e.g., quality assurance/compliance officer)

Cons

High upfront cost from a bachelor’s degree and certification. But financial aid can result in significant cost reductions.
Intensive time commitment (i.e., at least four years for Route 1). Then again, most well-paying healthcare careers are also time-intensive.
Pressure and stress from passing the national certification exam. But it’s true for any certification exam, so it’s par for the course.
Cost of recertification. Planning for it reduces its impact.
Certification isn’t always required. But remember that it’s a competitive edge, whether for entry-level or leadership roles.

Then, there’s the matter of its ROI. We used conservative estimates in the following ROI formula.

ROI = (Total Net Gain) x 100 / (Total Investment Cost)

Where:

Total Net Gain is:

Salary w/o certification: $59,000/year
Salary with certification: $79,000/year
Annual salary difference: $20,000/year
Over 10 years: $200,000

Total Investment Cost: $50,450 [Inclusive of the bachelor’s degree ($12,500 x 4); exam fee and study materials ($450)]

In this case, the ROI is 396.55%, an impressive figure. For every dollar you invest, you’ll enjoy a $4 return over 10 years.

In other words, your investment returns almost 40% of its cost. You’ll recoup your cost in about 2.5 years – afterwards, it’s all gains.

The bottom line: YES, earning the MLS certification pays off – fast and well, too.

Affordable Online Programs to Consider

Have you decided to become a certified MLS? If yes, consider these affordable medical lab science programs.

Auburn University at Montgomery

BS in Medical Laboratory Science
NAACLS-accredited
MLTs can transfer up to 61 credits
Affordable tuition at about $370/credit

University of Hawai’i at Mānoa

BS in Medical Technology
Fully asynchronous classes
Clinical rotations are completed at your workplace
Flat and affordable tuition

Marshall University

BS in Medical Laboratory Science
Degree completion (Two years time-to-completion)
NAACLS‑accredited
An online course combines clinical tasks

Stevenson University

BS in Medical Laboratory Science
Intended for certified MLTs
Clinical hours are integrated into the workplace

University of Cincinnati

BS in Medical Laboratory Science
Degree completion for students with bachelor’s degrees in MLT or CLT
About $3,500/per semester tuition; financial aid available

Austin Peay State University

BS in Medical Laboratory Science
Designed for students with MLT certification
Degree completion (i.e., 11 months time-to-degree)

South Dakota State University

BS in Medical Laboratory Science Upward Mobility Program (i.e., degree completion)
Designed for working professionals, particularly MLTs
About $5,600/semester in tuition costs

Weber State University

BS in Medical Laboratory Science (MLT-to-MLS Bridge Program)
In-state fees (About $290/credit)
Flexible schedules for working professionals

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS)

BS in Medical Laboratory Science (MLT-to-MLS)
Flexible completion period (i.e., three, four, or five semesters)
In-state tuition for all students
No additional clinical hours required

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

BS in Medical Laboratory Science
2+2 degree program
Choose from three options – Standard, Pre-Med, and Pre-Physician Assistant

Since these are online programs, you can choose one regardless of your physical location – in theory. You must ask about state residency requirements, among others, to be sure.