States may require licensure for medical technologists to practice in the state.
Medical technologists perform duties in a medical lab or hospital, which help doctors identify illnesses, conditions and injuries. The median salary for a medical technologist was $57,283 as of November, 2009, according to Salary.com. Medical technologists may specialize in a particular field such as histology or clinical chemistry technology.
Application
Candidates seeking licensure in medical technology must apply to the state board of health or state board of medical technology. Candidates must submit educational transcripts and in some cases submit to a background check. The results of certification examinations may be required for state licensure.
Education
Requirements for licensure vary by state, but medical technologists typically require a bachelor's degree, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The bachelor's degree program may be in medical technology or in a medical science. The coursework should include biology, statistics, chemistry, math and courses in medical technology.
State Examinations
States requiring medical technologists be licensed require the candidate to pass a state board examination administered by the state while other states require medical technologists be certified by a national certification organization. For example, Florida requires medical technologists to be certified by the American Medical Technologists, the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, the American Board of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics or the American Board of Medical Laboratory Immunology.
Certifications
Certification with a national organization may meet state requirements for licensure and aid the medical technologist to advance in the field. The American Medical Technologists certification requires candidates have a bachelor's degree in medical technology or in a biological science. Candidates may apply for certification prior to graduation as well. The applicant must complete a program in medical technology if the bachelor's degree is not in a medical technology program. In addition, the applicant must have a minimum of one year lab experience to qualify for certification. The American Medical Technologists administers a certification examination to qualified candidates.
Tags: medical technology, bachelor degree, medical technologists, American Medical, American Medical Technologists
