About
Information intended to assist preparation for Clinical Molecular Biology content on ASCP BOC’s MLS, MB and SMB certification exams Content Guidelines for the MLS, MB and SMB certification exams
You are recommend to use this information as a supplement to the “Reading List” cited by the ASCP BOC for each certification
- Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS(ASCP)
- Technologist in Molecular Biology, MB(ASCP)
- Specialist in Molecular Biology, SMB(ASCP)
Certification Prerequisites
MB(ASCP)
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Route 1
- Valid ASCP technologist/scientist or specialist certification,
- AND a baccalaureate degree from an accredited (regionally or nationally) college/university
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Route 2
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited (regionally or nationally) college/university,
- AND successful completion of a NAACLS accredited diagnostic molecular science program within the last five years
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Route 3
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited (regionally or nationally) college/university with a major in biological science or chemistry, OR a baccalaureate degree from an accredited (regionally or nationally) college/university with a combination of 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) in biology and chemistry, which may be obtained within, or in addition to, the baccalaureate degree,
- AND one year of full time acceptable clinical** experience in a molecular biology laboratory within the last five years, OR one year of full time acceptable veterinary, industry or research experience in a molecular biology laboratory in the U.S. or Canada within the last five years
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Route 4
- Master’s degree from an accredited (regionally or nationally) college/university in molecular biology, biotechnology, chemistry, biology, immunology, microbiology, allied health, medical laboratory science, or an appropriately related field,
- AND six months of full time acceptable clinical** experience in a molecular biology laboratory within the last five years, OR six months of full time acceptable veterinary, industry or research experience in a molecular biology laboratory in the U.S. or Canada within the last five years
-
Laboratory or Teaching Experience
- To fulfill the experience requirement for the Technologist in Molecular Biology examination, you must have laboratory experience within the timeframe required in at least one of the following areas:
- Genetics/Genomics (e.g., genotyping, genetic disorders, pharmacogenomics, genome-wide analysis)
- Oncology (e.g., hematologic lymphoid neoplasms/neoplasia, solid tumor gene markers)
- Infectious Disease (e.g., molecular microbiology/virology, molecular epidemiology)
- Molecular Identity Testing (e.g., engraftment, paternity)
- Clinical laboratory test interpretation and reporting (e.g., genetics/genomics, oncology, histocompatibility, infectious disease, or molecular identity testing)
- To fulfill the experience requirement for the Technologist in Molecular Biology examination, you must have laboratory experience within the timeframe required in at least one of the following areas:
SMB(ASCP)
-
Route 1
- Valid MB(ASCP) certification,
- AND a baccalaureate degree from an accredited (regionally or nationally) college/university,
- AND three years of full time acceptable clinical experience in a molecular biology laboratory OR three years of full time acceptable veterinary, industry or research experience in a molecular biology laboratory in the U.S. or Canada. These three years of experience must be acquired post baccalaureate degree and within the last six years
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Route 2
- Master’s degree from an accredited (regionally or nationally) college/university in molecular biology, biotechnology, chemistry, biology, immunology, microbiology, allied health, medical laboratory science, or an appropriately related field,
- AND three years of full time acceptable clinical experience in a molecular biology laboratory OR three years of full time acceptable veterinary, industry or research experience in a molecular biology laboratory in the U.S. or Canada. These three years of experience must be acquired post baccalaureate degree and within the last six years
-
Route 3
- Doctorate from an accredited (regionally or nationally) college/university in molecular biology, biotechnology, chemistry, biology, immunology, microbiology, allied health, medical laboratory science, or an appropriately related field,
- AND two years of post-doctoral fellowship in a molecular biology laboratory in the U.S. or Canada OR two years of full time acceptable clinical experience in a molecular biology laboratory OR two years of full time acceptable veterinary, industry or research experience in a molecular biology laboratory in the U.S. or Canada. These two years of experience must be acquired post baccalaureate degree and within the last five years
-
Route 4
- Valid MB(ASCP) certification,
- AND a baccalaureate degree from an accredited (regionally or nationally) college/university,
- AND three years of full time acceptable experience as an academic educator in clinical molecular biology at a regionally accredited college/university or an acceptable laboratory. These three years of experience must be acquired post baccalaureate degree and within the last six years
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Route 5
- Valid MB(ASCP) certification,
- AND a Doctorate from an accredited (regionally or nationally) college/university in molecular biology, biotechnology, chemistry, biology, immunology, microbiology, allied health, medical laboratory science, or an appropriately related field,
- AND one year of full time acceptable experience as an academic educator in clinical molecular biology at a regionally accredited college/university or an acceptable laboratory. This year of experience must be acquired post baccalaureate degree and within the last five years
-
Route 6
- Valid MB(ASCP) certification,
- AND a Master’s degree from an accredited (regionally or nationally) college/university in molecular biology, biotechnology, chemistry, biology, immunology, microbiology, allied health, medical laboratory science, or an appropriately related field,
- AND two years of full time acceptable clinical experience in a molecular biology laboratory OR two years of full time acceptable veterinary, industry or research experience in a molecular biology laboratory in the U.S. or Canada. These two years of experience must be acquired post baccalaureate degree and within the last five years
-
Laboratory or Teaching Experience
- To fulfill the experience requirement for the Specialist in Molecular Biology examination, you must have laboratory or teaching experience within the timeframe required in at least two of the following areas:
- Genetics/Genomics (e.g., genotyping, genetic disorders, pharmacogenomics, genome-wide analysis)
- Oncology (e.g., hematologic lymphoid neoplasms/neoplasia, solid tumor gene markers)
- Infectious Disease (e.g., molecular microbiology/virology, molecular epidemiology)
- Molecular Identity Testing (e.g., engraftment, paternity)
- Clinical laboratory test interpretation and reporting (e.g., genetics/genomics, oncology, histocompatibility, infectious disease, or molecular identity testing)
- Experience is also required in at least two of the following procedures:
- Test development/validation
- Procurement of laboratory equipment
- Quality management
- Regulatory compliance
- Supervisory experience
- Education/training
- To fulfill the experience requirement for the Specialist in Molecular Biology examination, you must have laboratory or teaching experience within the timeframe required in at least two of the following areas: