What is registered medical technologist?
Robert Miller
Updated on March 17, 2026
A medical technologist is a highly skilled health professional who tests and analyzes blood, other body fluids, and tissue samples. Medical technologists are responsible for operating and maintaining the equipment used to analyze specimens and ensuring that tests are completed in a correct and timely manner.
What is the difference between AMT and ASCP?
While the ASCP works towards the improvement of clinical pathologists and laboratory professionals, AMT is an organization for the promotion of allied health professionals such as medical laboratory technicians, dental assistants, medical assistants, and allied health instructors.
What else can a medical technologist do?
Medical technologists do everything from simple pregnancy tests, to monitoring antibiotic drug therapy, to complex testing that uncovers disease like diabetes, AIDS, and cancer. To be a medical technologist, a person must earn a degree from a four-year university. Then, a medical technologist can work in: Hospitals.
How do I get mt certified?
In order to be eligible for certification, applicants for the medical technologist certification exam need to have successfully completed an accredited medical technology program. Once eligibility has been verified, applicants must complete an online application, pay the fees, and prepare for and take the examinations.
What makes you a great medical technologist?
All medical technologists have certain common characteristics. They are problem solvers. They like challenge and responsibility. They are accurate, reliable, work well under pressure and are able to finish a task once started.
What is the difference between medical technologist and medical lab technician?
Medical Technologists perform complex chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic, and bacteriologic tests. Medical Laboratory Technicians perform less complex tasks and laboratory procedures than Medical Technologists.
Is ASCP harder than AMT?
ASCP is harder, but you only need 40% to pass. Secondly, how do I become AMT certified? In order to be eligible for certification, applicants for the medical technologist certification exam need to have successfully completed an accredited medical technology program.
Who is eligible for ASCP certification?
ASCP certified as a technician, AND an associate degree from a regionally accredited college/university, AND 4.5 years (54 months) of full time acceptable laboratory experience in cytometry (clinical*, research, industry, or veterinary) in the U.S., Canada or an accredited laboratory* within the last nine years.
What is the difference between medical technician and medical technologist?
Medical technicians acquire, prepare, and analyze samples. They can perform routine laboratory procedures and some maintenance on instruments. Medical laboratory technologists are capable of doing the same things, but they also perform the all-important analysis physicians need.
Where do medical technologists make the most money?
Highest Paying States for Medical Lab Technologists
- California – $80,500.
- Rhode Island – $76,410.
- Alaska – $73,960.
- Connecticut – $72,710.
- Massachusetts – $72,690.
Do you need licensure to be a medical technologist?
If you currently live in a state that does not require licensure but plan to live and work in a state that does, you will need to become licensed. The American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science will have more information, but if your state requires licensure, you will likely be required to:
How to become a medical laboratory technologist ( MLT )?
Medical laboratory technologists — also called medical laboratory scientists — must meet different requirements depending on the state. MLTs usually need a bachelor’s degree in their field. In order to become licensed or certified, the MLT must complete a course from an accredited program, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What are the requirements for a laboratory technologist license in Florida?
Licensure Requirements – All applicants for a Technologist license must satisfy the requirements for High Complexity Testing under CLIA Amendments. The requirements for licensure as a Clinical Laboratory Technologist are as follows. Applicants must: Be a Florida licensed doctor of medicine, doctor of osteopathy, or doctor of podiatric medicine.
How to become a clinical laboratory technologist in New York State?
Practice as a clinical laboratory technologist or as a certified clinical laboratory technician and the use of the titles “clinical laboratory technologist” or “certified clinical laboratory technician” in New York State require licensure, unless otherwise exempt under the law.