To work as a medical laboratory technician, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• have an associate degree.

Education after high school

Medical laboratory technicians usually have an associate degree. Two-year colleges and hospitals offer training programs. In these programs, you learn to perform routine medical testing procedures. You may also learn to draw blood from patients.

On-the-job training

Many employers provide some hands-on training when you are first hired. This usually lasts up to six months.

A few medical laboratory technicians learn their skills on the job. However, you usually need an associate degree to get certified.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be medical laboratory technicians. Training lasts 12 to 36 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.