MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST, MLS(ASCP)

INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST, MLS(ASCP i )

EXAMINATION CONTENT GUIDELINE

EXAMINATION MODEL
The MLS(ASCP) and MLS(ASCPi) certification examination is composed of 100 examination questions given in a 2 hour 30
minute time frame. All examination questions are multiple-choice with one best answer. The MLS(ASCP) and
MLS(ASCPi) certification examination is administered using the format of computer adaptive testing (CAT).
With CAT, when a person answers a question correctly, the next test question has a slightly higher level of difficulty. The
difficulty level of the questions presented to the examinee continues to increase until a question is answered incorrectly.
Then a slightly easier question is presented. In this way, the test is tailored to the individual’s ability level.
Each question in the test bank is calibrated for level of difficulty and is assigned a content area that matches with the
subtest area of the content outline for a particular examination. The weight (value) given to each question is
determined by the level of difficulty. Therefore, the examinee must answer enough difficult questions to achieve a
score above the pass point in order to successfully pass the certification examination.

EXAMINATION SUBTESTS
The MLS(ASCP) and MLS(ASCPi) certification examination questions encompass different subtests within the area of
Medical Laboratory Science: Blood Banking, Urinalysis and Other Body Fluids, Chemistry, Hematology, Immunology,
Microbiology, and Laboratory Operations. Each of these subtests comprises a specific percentage of the overall 100-
question certification examination. The subtests for the MLS examination are described in the following table:
EXAM
SUBTESTS DESCRIPTION
PERCENTAGES
Blood Group Systems, Antibody Screen & Identification, Crossmatch,
DAT, Elution/Adsorption, Blood Donation, Transfusion Therapy,
BLOOD BANK (BBNK) 17-22%
Transfusion Reactions, HDFN, Phenotyping/Genotyping, Antibody
Titer, Pre-warm Technique
URINALYSIS AND OTHER Physical, Chemical & Microscopic Urinalysis and Body Fluid Analysis
5 – 10%
BODY FLUIDS (UA) (CSF, Amniotic, Synovial, Serous, Semen & Feces)
Carbohydrates, Acid Base, Electrolytes, Proteins & Other Nitrogen-
CHEMISTRY (CHEM) Containing Compounds, Enzymes, Heme Derivatives, Lipids & 17 – 22%
Lipoproteins, Endocrinology, Tumor Markers, TDM, Toxicology
Erythrocytes & Leukocytes, Reticulocyte Count, ESR, Sickle Cell Test,
HEMATOLOGY (HEMA) Hemoglobin Electrophoresis, RBC Enzymes, RBC/WBC Morphology & 17 – 22%
Differentials, Platelets, Hemostasis
Autoimmunity, Immune Responses, Physiology of the Immune
IMMUNOLOGY (IMMU) 5 – 10%
System, Immunology of Viral & Microbial Infectious Diseases
General Microbiology, Aerobic Gram-positive Cocci, Gram-negative
MICROBIOLOGY (MICR) Bacilli, Gram-negative Cocci, Gram-positive Bacilli, Anaerobes, 17 – 22%
Fungus, Viruses, Mycobacteria, Parasites
Quality Assessment/Troubleshooting, Safety, Management,
LABORATORY OPERATIONS
Laboratory Mathematics, Instrumentation, Molecular Techniques, 5 – 10%
(LO)
Education & Communication, Laboratory Information Systems
For a more specific overview of the subtest areas on the MLS(ASCP) and MLS(ASCPi) certification examination, please
refer to the CONTENT OUTLINE on pages 2 – 4.

ASCP BOC 33 West Monroe Street, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60603 | www.ascp.org/boc | Revised: Sept 2014 | Page 1 of 5
MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST, MLS(ASCP)
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST, MLS(ASCP i )
EXAMINATION CONTENT OUTLINE

IMPORTANT: Examination questions, which are related to the subtest areas outlined below, may be both theoretical
and procedural. Theoretical questions measure skills necessary to apply knowledge, calculate results, and correlate
patient results to disease states. Procedural questions measure skills necessary to perform laboratory techniques,
evaluate laboratory data, and follow quality assurance protocols

I. BLOOD BANK (17 – 22% of total exam) 7) P

1. Blood Group Systems 8) Rh
A. Genetics 9) Multiple antibodies
1) Basic 3. Crossmatch and Special Tests
2) Molecular A. Crossmatch
3) Inheritance of blood groups B. Special Tests
4) Applied 1) DAT
5) Parentage 2) Phenotyping and genotyping
B. Chemistry, Antigens 3) Elution/adsorption
1) ABO 4) Antibody titer
2) Lewis 5) Pre-warm technique
3) Rh 6) Rosette and Kleihauer-Betke
4) MNS 4. Blood Donation, Transfusion Therapy,
5) P, Globoside Transfusion Reactions and Hemolytic Disease
6) Ii of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN)
7) Kell A. Blood Donation
8) Kidd 1) Donor requirements
9) Duffy 2) Donor testing
10) Lutheran B. Transfusion Therapy
11) Other 1) RBC
12) Antigens of high incidence 2) PLT
13) Antigens of low incidence 3) FFP
14) HLA 4) Cryoprecipitated AHF
15) Platelet specific 5) RhIG
16) Granulocyte specific C. Transfusion Reactions
C. Role of Blood Groups in Transfusion D. HDFN
1) Immunogenicity
2) Antigen frequency II. URINALYSIS & OTHER BODY FLUIDS
2. Antibody Screen and Identification (5 – 10% of total exam)
A. Antibody Screen 1. Urinalysis
B. Antibody Identification A. Physical
1) Duffy 1) Color and clarity
2) Ii 2) Specific gravity/osmolality
3) Kell B. Chemical
4) Kidd 1) Reagent strip
5) Lewis 2) Confirmatory tests
6) MNS C. Microscopic

ASCP BOC 33 West Monroe Street, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60603 | www.ascp.org/boc | Revised: Sept 2014 | Page 2 of 5
 1) Cells 5) GGT
2) Casts 6) Other
3) Crystals B. Lipids and Lipoproteins
4) Contaminants 1) Cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL)
5) Artifacts/microorganisms 2) Triglycerides
D. Physiology 3) Phospholipids (PG)
2. Other Body Fluids (Qualitative & Quantitative) 4) Other lipids and lipoproteins
A. CSF 4. Special Chemistry (Endocrinology, Tumor
B. Amniotic, Synovial, Serous, Semen and Markers, TDM, Toxicology)
Feces A. Endocrinology and Tumor Markers
1) T 3 , T 4 , TBG, TSH
III. CHEMISTRY (17 – 22% of total exam) 2) hCG, FSH, LH, estradiol
1. Carbohydrates, Acid Base and Electrolytes 3) Other hormones (e.g. cortisol)
A. Carbohydrates 4) Tumor markers (e.g., alpha fetoprotein,
1) Glucose CEA, hCG, PSA)
2) Glycated hemoglobin B. TDM and Toxicology
3) Other carbohydrates (e.g. lactate) 1) Therapeutic drug monitoring
B. Acid Base 2) Drugs of abuse
1) pH, pCO 2 , pO 2 3) Other toxicology (e.g., carbon
2) Osmolality, base excess monoxide)
C. Electrolytes
1) Sodium, potassium, chloride, IV. HEMATOLOGY (17 – 22% of total exam)
bicarbonate, anion gap 1. Erythrocytes and Leukocytes
2) Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus A. Red Blood Cells and Indices
2. Proteins and Other Nitrogen-Containing 1) RBC count
Compounds 2) Hemoglobin, hematocrit and indices
A. Protein and Other Nitrogen-Containing B. White Blood Cells
Compounds 1) WBC count
1) Total protein, albumin 2) Cytochemical stains (e.g., esterases,
2) Globulins (alpha 1, alpha 2, beta, myeloperoxidase, TdT)
gamma) C. CBC (includes count, morphology and/or
3) Ferritin, transferrin differential)
4) Iron and TIBC 2. Other Tests
5) Ammonia A. Reticulocyte Count and Other RBC
6) Creatinine, BUN Inclusions
7) Uric acid B. ESR
8) Troponin C. Tests for Hemoglobin Defects
9) Other (e.g., BNP) 1) Sickle cell tests
B. Heme Derivatives 2) Hemoglobin electrophoresis
1) Hemoglobin (S, fetal, A 2 , plasma) D. RBC enzymes (e.g. G-6PD)
2) Bilirubin, urobilinogen E. Other (e.g., immunophenotyping,
3) Other (e.g., myoglobin) cytogenetics)
3. Enzymes, Lipids and Lipoproteins 3. Morphology and Differentials
A. Enzymes A. Red Blood Cell Morphology
1) Amylase, lipase B. White Blood Cell Morphology
2) AST, ALT C. Differential (Whole Blood and Bone
3) CK, LD Marrow)
4) ALP D. Platelet Morphology

ASCP BOC 33 West Monroe Street, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60603 | www.ascp.org/boc | Revised: Sept 2014 | Page 3 of 5
 4. Platelets and Hemostasis A. Enterobacteriaceae (e.g., Citrobacter,
A. Platelets Escherichia, Enterobacter, Klebsiella,
1) Platelet count Morganella, Proteus, Providencia,
2) Platelet function Salmonella, Serratia, Shigella, Yersinia)
3) Disease correlation B. Other Gram-negative Bacilli (e.g.,
B. Hemostasis Acinetobacter, Aeromonas, Bordetella,
1) PT, aPTT, TT Brucella, Campylobacter, Eikenella,
2) Fibrinogen, FDP, D-dimer Francisella, Haemophilus, Helicobacter,
3) Factor assays Legionella, Pasteurella, Plesiomonas,
4) Inhibitor anticoagulants Pseudomonas, Burkholderia,
5) Mixing studies Stenotrophomonas, Chryseobacterium,
6) Anticoagulant therapy Vibrio, HACEK, Bartonella, Capnocytophaga)
7) Hypercoagulability tests 3. Gram-negative Cocci, Gram-positive Bacilli and
8) Disease correlation Anaerobes
A. Aerobic Gram-negative Cocci
V. IMMUNOLOGY (5 – 10% of total exam) (e.g., Neisseria, Moraxella)
1. Immunity B. Aerobic or Facultative Gram-positive Bacilli
A. Autoimmunity (e.g., Bacillus, Corynebacterium,
1) ANA, anti-DNA Erysipelothrix, Gardnerella, Lactobacillus,
2) CRP/RF Listeria, Nocardia, Streptomyces)
3) Thyroid antibodies C. Anaerobes
4) Other 1) Gram-positive (e.g., Bifidobacterium,
B. Immune Responses Clostridium, Eubacterium, Actinomyces,
C. Physiology of the Immune System Peptostreptococcus, Propionibacterium)
2. Infectious Diseases 2) Gram-negative (e.g., Bacteroides,
A. Viral Fusobacterium, Porphyromonas,
1) EBV/infectious mononucleosis Prevotella, Veillonella)
2) Hepatitis 4. Fungus, Viruses, Mycobacteria and Parasites
3) HIV/HTLV/CMV A. Fungi
4) Rubella/measles 1) Yeast (e.g., Candida, Cryptococcus,
5) Other viruses Geotrichum, Malassezia)
B. Microbial 2) Dimorphic fungi (e.g., Blastomyces,
1) Syphilis Coccidioides, Histoplasma, Sporothrix)
2) Other microorganisms 3) Dermatophytes (e.g., Epidermophyton,
Microsporum, Trichophyton)
VI. MICROBIOLOGY (17 – 22% of total exam)* 4) Zygomycetes (e.g., Absidia, Mucor,
Includes biochemical, immunologic, serologic, and Rhizopus)
other molecular methodologies (e.g. MALDI-TOF) 5) Opportunistic molds/septate hyaline
required for identification and detection of molds (e.g., Aspergillus, Penicillium)
microorganisms and antimicrobial susceptibility 6) Dematiaceous molds
testing 7) Pneumocystis
1. Aerobic Gram-positive Cocci B. Mycobacteria
A. Aerobic Gram-positive Cocci: 1) Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex
Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, (e.g., M. tuberculosis)
Enterococcus, other (e.g., Gemella, 2) Other Mycobacteria (e.g., M. avium-
Leuconostoc, Micrococcus, Aerococcus) intracellulare, rapid growers, M.
2. Gram-negative Bacilli gordonae, M. kansasii, M. leprae, M.
marinum, M. scrofulaceum)

ASCP BOC 33 West Monroe Street, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60603 | www.ascp.org/boc | Revised: Sept 2014 | Page 4 of 5
 C. Viruses and Other Microorganisms
1) Viruses (e.g., specimen
collection/transport/processing, cell
culture, rapid antigen detection)
2) Other microorganisms (e.g., Chlamydia,
Mycoplasma)
D. Parasites
1) Blood and tissue protozoa
(e.g., Plasmodium, Trypanosoma)
2) Intestinal and urogenital protozoa
(e.g., Cryptosporidium, Entamoeba,
Giardia, Trichomonas)
3) Intestinal and tissue helminths
(e.g., Ascaris, Enterobius, hookworm,
Schistosoma, Strongyloides, Taenia,
Trichinella, Trichuris)

VII. LABORATORY OPERATIONS

(5 – 10% of total exam)
1. Quality Assessment/Troubleshooting
A. Pre-Analytical, Analytical, Post-Analytical
B. Quality Control
C. Compliance
D. Regulation
2. Safety
3. Management
A. Purchasing
B. Inventory Control
C. Competency
4. Laboratory Mathematics
5. Instrumentation
6. Education and Communication
7. Laboratory Information Systems
8. Molecular Techniques

All Board of Certification examinations use

conventional and SI units for results and reference
ranges.

END OF CONTENT GUIDELINE

ASCP BOC 33 West Monroe Street, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60603 | www.ascp.org/boc | Revised: Sept 2014 | Page 5 of 5