Students
Why should accreditation matter to you?
Accreditation guarantees the program meets quality standards that equip you with the skills and knowledge needed for your field. Plus, it gives you an edge in the job market—many employers prefer or even require graduates from accredited programs. On top of that, accreditation is often essential for licensure, certification, or further education, making it a smoother path to achieving your career goals. It’s also a sign of trust, showing that the program has been rigorously evaluated and meets industry and professional standards.
Why it matters in laboratory science.
In laboratory science, understanding the difference between certification and accreditation is essential for ensuring quality, compliance, and credibility in education and professional practice.
Look for Accreditation
For more information about what it means to be accredited, click here.
Accreditation vs. Certification
- Section 1: Why Both Matter
- Section 2: Certification
- Section 3: Accreditation
- Section 4: Key Differences
What is Certification?
- Definition: Certification is an individual credential awarded to professionals to verify their skills and knowledge in a specific field.
- Purpose: It demonstrates that a person has met a standardized level of competency.
- Process: Certification often requires passing an exam and meeting experience or educational requirements.
- Examples: Certified Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), Certified Phlebotomy Technician (PBT).
Benefits
- Enhances career opportunities.
- Often required for certain job roles or state licensing.
- Recognized by employers as proof of expertise.
What is Accreditation?
- Definition: Accreditation is a quality assurance process for institutions or programs, ensuring they meet specific standards of education and training. In the laboratory sciences field, these programs can be hospitals, medical centers, universities, community colleges, public health laboratories, or research laboratories.
- Purpose: Accreditation evaluates the program, not individuals, to ensure it prepares students effectively for their profession.
- Process: Programs undergo a rigorous evaluation by accrediting bodies, including site visits and curriculum reviews.
- Examples: NAACLS accreditation for Medical Laboratory Science programs.
Benefits
- Validates educational quality and program credibility.
- Provides a direct route for graduates to qualify for certification exams. According to the ASCP BOC, the certification pass rate for first-time examinees who attended an accredited program is 92%.
- Recognized by employers, certification, and licensing bodies.
Stay Informed
Choosing an accredited program and obtaining certification are crucial steps to a successful laboratory science career!
Student Resources
There are numerous disciplines within the laboratory sciences, from generalists (professionals who work in all areas of the laboratory) to specialists (professionals who work in a single department or specialized area of the laboratory). Choosing the right laboratory science discipline involves understanding your interests, strengths, and career goals.
Here are steps that can help guide your decision:
- Explore Different Disciplines: Laboratory science offers a range of specialties, such as microbiology, histology, clinical chemistry, hematology, histology, immunology, phlebotomy, cytogenetics, and molecular diagnostics. Research each area below to understand the focus, daily tasks, and types of analyses performed.
- Assess Your Interests and Strengths: If you’re fascinated by bacteria, viruses, and infectious diseases, microbiology might be a good fit. If you enjoy problem-solving with numbers and patterns, clinical chemistry or hematology may align well with your skills. If you wish to interact with patients, phlebotomy could be an option.
- Consider Patient Interaction: Some disciplines, like phlebotomy, are directly involved with patients. Other areas, such as transfusion medicine (blood banking), are essential in making critical patient care decisions, while others may focus more on long-term research, diagnostics, or management decisions. Think about whether you prefer face-to-face patient care or find more satisfaction in the analytical and problem-solving aspects of laboratory work.
- Discover which laboratory setting is right for you: A research laboratory focuses on conducting experiments to gain new scientific knowledge and develop new treatments. A clinical diagnostic laboratory focuses on analyzing patient samples to provide information for diagnosing and managing existing medical conditions.
- Look at Career Opportunities and Demand: Certain areas, such as molecular diagnostics, are rapidly growing with advances in technology. Understanding industry demand and job outlook in each discipline can help guide your choice.
- Shadowing and Internships: Gaining hands-on experience through internships, shadowing, or informational interviews can provide valuable insight into each specialty’s day-to-day work, helping you decide which aligns with your career aspirations.
- Think about Future Growth: The laboratory profession does have a career progression. For instance, someone could start out in PBT or MLA and progress to an MLT level. They could continue to work as an MLT and advance to an MLS, and progress to a DCLS. Some disciplines, like molecular biology and genetics, are emerging and may offer advanced roles as technology evolves. Consider whether you’re interested in a discipline with a path for specialization or the ability to advance by pursuing additional certifications.
By evaluating these aspects, you can find the laboratory science discipline that not only matches your interests and skills but also supports your long-term career goals.
The following disciplines require education of less than two years:
PHLEBOTOMIST (PBT)/Phlebotomy Technician:
As a phlebotomist, you’ll be the most patient-adjacent member of the laboratory team, serving as the crucial link between patients and accurate lab results. Your role involves collecting and processing blood samples for testing, transfusions, research, or donations. With your hands-on work, you’ll ensure samples are collected with precision and care, all while providing a positive and professional experience for patients and collaborating effectively with healthcare providers.
What you’ll need:
- Interest in healthcare.
- Precision and accuracy.
- High attention to detail.
- Excellent people skills.
Education Requirements:
- High school diploma.
- Phlebotomy education certificate from a NAACLS accredited program or relevant work experience.
MEDICAL LABORATORY ASSISTANT (MLA):
As a medical laboratory assistant, you’ll support clinical testing by handling and preparing patient samples with care and precision. From receiving and labeling specimens to simple testing and storage, you’ll ensure quality at every step. You’ll work in diverse settings, including hospitals, clinics, outpatient centers, and research labs, to keep lab operations running smoothly.
What You’ll Need:
- Interest in healthcare.
- Attention to detail.
- Strong organizational skills.
Education Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED
- Medical laboratory education certificate from a NAACLS accredited program or relevant experience in laboratory procedures.
The following disciplines require education of at least two years:
HISTOTECHNICIAN (HT)/Histology Techinicians:
As a histotechnician, you’ll prepare and process tissue samples for microscopic examination, playing a key role in helping pathologists make accurate diagnoses. Your work transforms raw tissue into microscope-ready slides through precise techniques. While similar to a histotechnologist, this role typically involves less complex testing and requires fewer educational qualifications.
What you’ll need:
- Interest in science, healthcare, and technology.
- Excellent hand-eye coordination.
- Attention to detail and precision.
Education Requirements:
- Associate’s degree.
- Completion of a NAACLS accredited HT program or experience in laboratory procedures.
MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN (MLT):
As a medical laboratory technician (also known as a Clinical Laboratory Technician), you’ll perform a wide range of routine laboratory tests in blood banking, chemistry, hematology, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, and/or urinalysis to help diagnose and treat diseases. Your work involves analyzing blood, tissue, and body fluids using microscopic techniques, sophisticated laboratory equipment, and hands-on procedures. In addition to conducting tests, you’ll confirm the accuracy of laboratory test results and troubleshoot lab equipment as necessary. This role is essential for patient care and spans various departments within the medical lab.
What you’ll need:
- Interest in science, healthcare, and technology.
- A strong science background.
- Knack for solving puzzles.
- Good organizational skills.
Education Requirements:
- Associate’s degree.
- Completion of a NAACLS accredited MLT program.
The following disciplines require education of at least four years:
HISTOTECHNOLOGIST (HTL):
As a histotechnologist, you’ll play a vital role in diagnosing diseases by preparing and performing routine and advanced histologic techniques, such as enzyme histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence, on tissue samples. Working closely with pathologists, you’ll process tissue biopsies and ensure high-quality preparation for microscopic examination. This role is ideal if you enjoy hands-on work and have a keen eye for detail. Histotechnologists requires deeper theoretical knowledge and problem-solving skills than the HT. With advanced training, histotechnologists can also evaluate new techniques or advance to leadership roles.
What you’ll need:
- Interest in science, healthcare, and technology.
- Excellent hand-eye coordination.
- Attention to precision and accuracy.
Education Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in science.
- Completion of a NAACLS accredited HTL program.
MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST (MLS):
As a medical laboratory scientist (also known as clinical laboratory scientists or medical technologists), you’ll perform a wide range of routine and advanced laboratory tests: blood banking, chemistry, hematology, immunology, microbiology molecular biology and/or urinalysis to help diagnose and treat diseases. Your work involves analyzing blood, tissue, and body fluids using microscopic techniques, sophisticated laboratory equipment, and hands-on procedures. In addition to conducting tests, you’ll confirm the accuracy of laboratory test results and troubleshoot lab equipment as necessary. Beyond standard testing, you may develop testing protocols, validate new methods, and solve complex analytical problems. This role requires deeper theoretical knowledge and problem-solving skills than the MLT. In addition, MLS also have opportunities for career advancement into supervisory, management, and educational roles within the laboratory.
What you’ll need:
- Interest in science, healthcare, and technology.
- A strong science background.
- Knack for solving puzzles.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Ability to work with a team.
Education Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in science.
- Completion of a NAACLS accredited MLS program.
DIAGNOSTIC MOLECULAR SCIENTIST (DMS)/Technologist in Molecular Biology:
As a diagnostic molecular scientist, you’ll use molecular biology methods, including PCR, DNA/RNA sequencing and proteomic analysis, to help diagnose and treat inherited and acquired diseases, such as cancer, metabolic disorders, and infections. Your work involves performing tests on nucleic acids and proteins, like gene sequencing, to analyze cell samples and assist in diagnosing patients. This is a good choice for students interested in research and diagnosis of genetic and infectious diseases. Work environments for graduates with Molecular Biology certification include top research facilities, hospital molecular laboratories, companies that combine diagnostic testing with research to create new testing methodologies, forensic science and the identification of microbiological agents.
What you’ll need:
- Interest in science, technology, and research.
- Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
Education Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in science.
- Completion of a NAACLS accredited DMS program.
CYTOGENETIC TECHNOLOGIST (CG):
As a cytogenetic technologist, you’ll perform chromosomal analyses on biological samples to help diagnose, predict, and treat genetic diseases, both inherited and acquired. Your role involves working with techniques like chromosome analysis, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), and genomic analysis to support healthcare teams. You’ll contribute to research, clinical decision-making, and quality assurance in the fast-evolving field of genetics.
What you’ll need:
- Interest in science, technology, and research.
- Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
Education Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in science.
- Completion of a NAACLS accredited MLS program or relevant work experience.
MEDICAL LABORATORY MICROBIOLOGIST (MLM)/Technologist in Microbiology:
Medical laboratory microbiologists perform, develop, evaluate, correlate and ensure accuracy and validity of laboratory information, direct and supervise clinical laboratory resources and operations, and collaborate in the diagnosis and treatment of patients, specifically in the area of medical microbiology. This practitioner identifies bacteria and other microorganisms in tissue samples and body fluids to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. They may also practice in public health or research microbiology laboratories as well as in industry or specialty clinics and laboratories.
What you’ll need:
- Interest in science, technology, and research.
Education Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in science.
- Completion of a NAACLS accredited MLM program or relevant work experience.
BIOMEDICAL SCIENTIST (BMS):
A biomedical scientist is part of an evolving career pathway accredited by NAACLS that encompasses various specialized laboratory roles beyond the traditional clinical settings. The biomedical scientist is qualified by academic and applied science education to provide service, management, and/or research in both existing and emerging fields. Examples may include clinical embryologist or nanotechnologist. The specific scope of practice and entry-level competencies may vary by specialty and these professionals may work in various settings including industry, specialty clinics, and clinical or research laboratories.
What you’ll need:
- Interest in science, technology, and research.
Education Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in science.
- Completion of a NAACLS accredited BMS program.
PUBLIC HEALTH MICROBIOLOGIST (PHM):
Public health microbiologists are vital experts who use both academic knowledge and specialized laboratory skills to protect community health through diagnostic and surveillance testing. They serve across multiple microbiological disciplines, including bacteriology, virology, parasitology, mycology, mycobacteriology, and food microbiology testing among others. These professionals play a crucial role in early identification and management of infectious diseases by ensuring prompt detection. Public health microbiologist’s work extends to monitoring foodborne illnesses and addressing vector-borne and zoonotic diseases, providing vital support for public health safety. Not only diagnosing infectious diseases, but public health microbiologists also serve a critical role in tracking pathogen trends, monitoring antimicrobial resistance, and detecting emerging health threats in both clinical and environmental settings.
What you’ll need:
- Interest in science, technology, and research.
- Attention to detail.
- Strong personal initiative and innovative thinking.
Education Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in science.
- Completion of a NAACLS accredited PHM program.
The following disciplines require education of at least six years:
DOCTORATE IN CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE (DCLS):
A Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) is an advanced-practice laboratory professional who bridges the gap between laboratory testing and patient care. They collaborate directly with physicians, healthcare teams, and laboratory staff to ensure accurate test selection, interpretation, and application of laboratory results for optimal patient outcomes. They provide consultation services as the liaison between the clinical laboratory and professionals treating the patient. Those who possess a DCLS degree will be prepared to act as consultants to health care providers, serve as laboratory directors, educate patients and health care providers, perform and disseminate research on evidence-based practice and test utilization and enter academic positions.
What you’ll need:
- Strong communication skills.
- Precision and accuracy.
- High attention to detail.
Education Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in science.
- Completion of a NAACLS accredited MLS program.
PATHOLOGISTS’ ASSISTANT (Path A):
Provides anatomic pathology services under the direction and supervision of a pathologist to perform gross examination and dissection of surgical pathology specimens and performance of postmortem examinations. Pathologists’ assistant: A highly trained, certified allied healthcare professional that performs the examination and evaluation of all surgical pathology specimens and assists with postmortem examinations. A pathology assistant provides hands-on assistance pathologists need to help patients. For instance, if you like dissecting frogs, you might enjoy a career as a pathologists’ assistant. You’ll work directly with specimens and tissues and be the “eyes” that help pathologists diagnose diseases correctly. This can include everything from helping surgeons in the operating room find cancer in organ tissue to performing autopsies on people who have died.
What you’ll need:
- High attention to detail.
- Ability to touch and examine human cadavers.
Education Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in science.
- Completion of a NAACLS accredited Path A program (NAACLS 2-year program typically leads to master’s degree).
What is the difference between a 2+2 student, a 3+1 student and a 4+1 student?
To begin, it’s important to understand the minimum degree for all three of these students is a bachelor’s degree. However, the difference between a 3+1 student and a 4+1 student typically relates to the structure of their academic program and how, or when, they obtained their bachelor’s degree. Here’s a breakdown:
2+2 Student
- Program Structure: The student completes the first two years at a community college or similar institution, focusing on general education and prerequisite courses. They are typically awarded an associate’s degree at the end of the two years. Afterward, they transfer to a four-year institution to complete their major-specific courses.
- Third and Fourth Years: The final two years at the four-year institution are dedicated to completing upper-level coursework and sometimes clinical experiences, depending on the program.
- Outcome: The student earns a bachelor’s degree at the end of the four years. Clinical training is embedded in the program. They are eligible to take a certification exam (e.g., for medical laboratory science).
3+1 Student
- Program Structure: The student spends the first three years completing general education, prerequisite courses, and foundational coursework at their college or university.
- Fourth Year: The fourth year is dedicated to completing a clinical internship or professional training at an affiliated hospital or clinical site. This year combines hands-on experience with additional coursework specific to their field of study.
- Outcome: At the end of the four years, the student earns a bachelor’s degree and is eligible to take a certification exam (e.g., for medical laboratory science). Please note that the 3 is not an indication of the number of years to completion. Program completion could take more or less time, depending on the courseload. It depends on whether the student has earned their degree or not prior to completing the internship.
4+1 Student
- Program Structure: The student completes a traditional four-year bachelor’s degree, including all general education and major-specific courses, typically at their home institution.
- Fifth Year: The student enters a separate, often postgraduate, professional or clinical program or internship after taking the required prerequisites for that program. This year focuses on intensive training, certification preparation, or obtaining a specialized credential. Often, this year is similar to the +1 year from the 3+1 program. Many programs will accept 3+1 students and 4+1 students. The difference is whether or not they started with a bachelor’s degree already (4+1) or need the internship to complete their bachelor’s degree (3+1).
- Outcome: After the additional year, the student may receive a graduate certificate with eligibility for certification in their professional field.
| Aspect | 2+2 Student | 3+1 Student | 4+1 Student |
| Timeline | 2 years at community college + 2 years at a four-year institution | 3 years academic + 1 year clinical | 4 year academic degree + 1 year postgraduate |
| Degree Earned | Bachelor degree after both components are complete | Bachelor degree after both components are complete | None. Student began with bachelor degree and earns additional credential after 5th year |
| Clinical Training | Typically integrated into the program at the 4-year institution | Integrated into the 4th year | Separate training or specialization after earning a bachelor’s |
| Focus | Sequential progression from foundational to advanced coursework | Hands-on clinical training built into the program | Specialization or credentialing after earning a degree |
Summary of Pathways
- 2+2 Pathway: Ideal for students who begin at a community college for affordability or accessibility before transferring to a four-year institution.
- 3+1 Pathway: Focused on integrating clinical training into the undergraduate experience, often for certification in healthcare fields.
- 4+1 Pathway: Allows students who already have their bachelor’s degree to obtain the specialized training without starting all over (provided they have taken the required prerequisites), which provides them with certification exam eligibility.
Each pathway serves different educational and career goals, offering flexibility for students based on their starting point and desired outcomes.
NAACLS does not determine the equivalency of degrees from nonaccredited programs for students. Please contact the institution with specific questions.
If you are looking for employment and need confirmation of a program’s historical accreditation status, you may contact NAACLS Staff at [email protected] to request the information.
If you have certification questions, please see the following websites for information on which route you qualify for:
- ASCP BOC: https://www.ascp.org/content/board-of-certification/get-credentialed#us-certifications&gsc.tab=0
- AMT: https://americanmedtech.org/certification/get-certified
- NCCT: https://www.ncctinc.com/certifications/phlebotomy-techniciannn
- NHA: https://www.nhanow.com/certification/nha-certifications/certified-phlebotomy-technician-(cpt)
Please contact the sponsoring sites for more information on these scholarships.
Student Appeals
Students are an important community of interest to accrediting bodies, and one of the goals of accreditation is the protection of students, in addition to the assurance of program quality. NAACLS is committed to the principles of honesty in reporting, professional integrity, and ethical conduct among officials of its programs, staff, and volunteers. When an alleged violation of these principles is brought to our attention, NAACLS acts in accordance with established policy.
NAACLS Policy on Student and Faculty Complaints for Accredited Programs
- Before NAACLS may act on a student or faculty complaint, the student/faculty must provide the following:
- Documentation that the student/faculty followed the institution’s due process procedure on complaints.
- An example of documentation may be (but is not limited to) a copy of a completed student grievance form, with proof of submission. These forms are often found in the program’s student handbook.
- The student/faculty must first bring the issue to the faculty or program director. If this fails to produce satisfaction, the student/faculty must continue up the administrative hierarchy at the institution. Only when the institution’s internal “due process” has been completed may NAACLS begin to act on a student/faculty complaint.
- As an accreditor, NAACLS cannot take action against a program unless it is in non-compliance with a standard. As a programmatic accreditor, NAACLS Standards have a limited scope. If you do not find a NAACLS Standard that would address your complaint, we recommend seeking out your school’s institutional accreditor. In a written narrative, the student/faculty must state which Standards they feel this program has violated and provide any evidence.
- The student’s/faculty’s signature is also required along with the narrative.
- Documentation that the student/faculty followed the institution’s due process procedure on complaints.
- Upon receipt of a letter of complaint from a student or faculty member regarding a program, the complainant is required to demonstrate they have exhausted the due process procedure at the institution.
- If the complainant remains unsatisfied with the results of the institution’s due process, the complaint may be forwarded to the NAACLS Chief Executive Officer.
- Within two weeks of receipt of the complaint, the Chief Executive Officer will determine whether the complaint can be applied directly to a NAACLS Standard.
- If the complaint does not apply to a standard, the Chief Executive Officer informs the complainant that NAACLS does not have the authority to judge the issue because it does not involve a violation of the Standards. NAACLS will take no further action.
- If the Chief Executive Officer determines a violation of Standards may have occurred, they will forward the complaint to the appropriate review committee chair and vice chair for further review.
- The chair will initiate correspondence with the institution and may request related documentation in writing.
- Once the related documentation is reviewed, if a violation has transpired, a resolution is worked out between NAACLS and the institution.
- If the response is adequate, the review committee chair informs the complainant and the program of the complaint status. NAACLS will take no further action.
- If the response is inadequate, a site visit may be scheduled.
- If the program is going through the reaccreditation process and a site visit is scheduled within the next year, the site visitors will be asked to address the issue.
- If a site visit is not scheduled within a year, the CEO, the President of the NAACLS Board of Directors, and the review committee chair will review the documentation available and, if appropriate, schedule an early site visit.
- In both cases, the issue would be addressed through the site visit, the program’s response to the site visit team report, and the deliberations of the appropriate review committee and board of directors.
The board president will inform the complainant and the program of the outcome.
All complaints that are reviewed by the review committee chair and vice chair are summarized for the appropriate review committee. The NAACLS CEO reports on all active complaints at meetings of the board of directors.