AMT versus ASCP Certification

I have been looking so many sites on job opportunities and wonders me why some vacancy announcements choosing as a requirement ASCP over AMT. I don't why this big disparity. I have a BS degree in Biology and decided to take the AMT Certification so I am a Certified MT (AMT). Both certification required a degree and a test to be certified. I can even see some government announcements through USA Jobs that required a must be ASCP certified. Again, WHY?

Wilfredo Cardona, MT (AMT)

Wilfredo, this is the united states, talk to any CLS/MT program across the US and their program director has their students taking the ASCP. It's these students who will be eventually supervisors that want to hire the people with the SAME CREDENTIALS. That is why almost all the jobs say ASCP preferred.

In NY and Cali you cannot work without your ASCP, new grads are required to take that cert in order to get their state license, there are more states to come with having the ASCP the only cert take to work in that state.

ASCP = work anywhere in Us
AMT= worthless, your very limited.

As I heard from the American Medical Technologist, is the other way around, some more hospital are hiring AMT certified, since ASCP certification start decreasing together with school that teach Lab courses. (or I might be wrong) on what I read.

Wilfredo

Wilredo, there are going to be more states requiring a license since CAP favors having every lab tech licensed, so they will need a ASCP for the testing before the license is given. I believe Minn is the next state to follow. So more states to come....

ASCP= work anywhere in the US

AMT= limited.

Wilfredo, how come you were able to sit MT(AMT) when you are a biology graduate. maybe you just took MLT not MT... what route did you apply? I think this TOPIC is created to mislead people or just scripted... ummm.. smell something fishy here..

All I know is, if you're an MLT without a bachelors, all you need is a few years of experience and you qualify to take the MT(AMT). That pretty much drops the credibility of the AMT tenfold. A BS should be the minimum for MT and that's what the ASCP requires.

hi
thnx for replying me.i got ur msg.now AMT exam is hard..and exam format is also change..i just passed my exam on 12th june.u have a another site for practice exam.plz send me on my email..i need so many help for this exam..In AMT we have only 2 chance to retake our exam? actually i order another books for again preparation..but cuviello is not enough now..

Anuja Desai in Findlay, Ohio said: hi
thnx for replying me.i got ur msg.now AMT exam is hard..and exam format is also change..i just passed my exam on 12th june.u have a another site for practice exam.plz send me on my email..i need so many help for this exam..In AMT we have only 2 chance to retake our exam? actually i order another books for again preparation..but cuviello is not enough now..

hy
i m from the same background as u. i hv just now clear the amt mlt exam...want 2 go 4 mt now...u can mail me on nilampurohit29@yahoo.co.in
that makes sense...

floyd john in Lubbock, Texas said: Wilfredo, how come you were able to sit MT(AMT) when you are a biology graduate. maybe you just took MLT not MT... what route did you apply? I think this TOPIC is created to mislead people or just scripted... ummm.. smell something fishy here..

In case you don't know, you can take MLT with minimum requirement (2years college and some training, or so) or you can take the MT if you have a BS Degree or some college (2years ?) with a combination of so many years of experience. I did comply with both requirement, but I used my degree and the MT (yes I am a certified Medical Technologist with AMT. I choose to take AMT certification over ASCP for no particular reason and I have the requirement needed as well to take the ASCP Certification. I just don't see a good reason for at this moment.

^^^^^
HE'S TELLING THE TRUTH YOU GUYS, I WAS ABLE TO TEST FROM DAY ONE
AND I HAVE BS BIOLOGY AS WELL, A MLT(ASCP) AND YEARS OF LAB EXP.
ITS WHAT YOU KNOW NOT WHAT SCHOOL YOU ATTENDED.

WHAT IF I GET 94% AND YOU GOT A 77% ON THE MT(ASCP)? GUESS YOU STILL THINK YOUR SMARTER THAN ME HUH, CAUSE YOU WENT THRU A MT PROGRAM? SO WHAT? GROW UP!

GET WITH THE TIMES, SOME OF YOU GUYS ARE SO OLD FASHIONED.
THAT'S WHY THE LAB IS LIGHT YEARS BEHIND THE OTHER ALLIED CAREERS. YOU LOVE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT STUPID $HIT. IF YOU NEED MORE MONEY USE THE LAB AS A STEPPING STONE TO HIGHER PAYING MEDICAL JOBS. YOUR STUCK ON STUPID.

SOONER OR LATER ALL LAB COURSES WILL BE ONLINE, MAYBE A 2+2 PROGRAM WITH THE LAST 2 YEARS ONLINE, SO NO NEED TO EVEN ATTEND A UNIVERSITY. JUST A COMMUNITY COLLEGE WILL DO FINE, I SEE NO NEED FOR A 4 YEAR UNIVERSITY EDUCATION TO WORK IN THE LAB.

I just want to clarify that I don't have anything against ASCP. As a matter of fact, I went to ASCP MT School and also I work side by side with other MT, AMT and MT, ASCP and we treat each other as coworkers and as professional as we could be with respect , listen to other opinions and support each other as we do what we do best which is to provide the best patient care possible.

nilampurohit29@yahoo.co.in in Arlington, Massachusetts said: hy
i m from the same background as u. i hv just now clear the amt mlt exam...want 2 go 4 mt now...u can mail me on nilampurohit29@yahoo.co.in
that makes sense...

Hi congrates for the exam cleared. what materials did u read? was it very tough? I have exam in Sept. Is it enought time to prepare?

I have AMT exam in Sept. Please anyone suggest me reading material that helps me in test preparation. I am alos planning to giv ASCP after I get through in AMT. I will really appreciate all your earliest replies.

pgkansara in Tonawanda, New York said: Hi congrates for the exam cleared. what materials did u read? was it very tough? I have exam in Sept. Is it enought time to prepare?

i hv used only cuviellos ref and i think thats enough 4 the exam.

nilampurohit29@yahoo.co.in in Arlington, Massachusetts said: i hv used only cuviellos ref and i think thats enough 4 the exam.

exam is quite easy and 2 months r enough 4 study.

thank you so much

nilampurohit29@yahoo.co.in in Arlington, Massachusetts said: exam is quite easy and 2 months r enough 4 study.

Thank you nilima

I used the Cuviello references 1 and 2 and helped me a lot. It's a very explanatory study guide. It gives you some theory, then chapter test, then a final overall test. It gives you the answer and an explanation of why is the right answer. I studied also some other references, but I concentrated more in that one. Just keep in mind, Cuviello is one of the Chairman of AMT.

Good luck.
Wilfredo

Wilfredo Cardona in Woodbridge, Virginia said: I used the Cuviello references 1 and 2 and helped me a lot. It's a very explanatory study guide. It gives you some theory, then chapter test, then a final overall test. It gives you the answer and an explanation of why is the right answer. I studied also some other references, but I concentrated more in that one. Just keep in mind, Cuviello is one of the Chairman of AMT.

Good luck.
Wilfredo

Thats gr8 information for me. Now it gives me little clear idea about what should I study. Thank you so much for your reply.

hi, I want to get the NY license but i have to do the ASCP examination test. i'm worry about this test i don't know what i have to study for.

hi desai

i am planning to take amt exam can u pls guide me wht books did u followed, how was the exam and how many hours did u read in a day

regards
suveen

hi suveen. you have to get the cuviellos's manual they are the best to pass the amt test

hi every body
i hve plan to take amt exam i understand cuviellos manual are best how can i found the books ? is it expencive please let me know .i am going to take the exam on september

hello every body
coulld you tell me any books other than cuviello wich helps for amt exam

Ted in San Jose, California said: hello every body
coulld you tell me any books other than cuviello wich helps for amt exam

the nca-ascp-review on line is very helpful. If you test yourself
and get high score to the point of almost perfecting the exam, you
will definitely pass AMT, ASCP, NCA and any other certifying agencies
in the USA.

I will take the ASCP examination test , and I would like to know if somebody took the test recently, what books used?, I have the clinical Laboratory Certification examinations 4th edition (content is only Questions and Answers), I was looking through the internet and I saw Clinical Laboratory Science Review by R. Harr and the Quick Review Cards for Clinical Laboratory Examinations byValerie Dietz Polansky, are those books good enougth for the test ? please somebody tell me because I need to buy them as soon as I can. By the way I know about the material on line.

When I took ASCP I only used my stock knowledge from college
lectures and Med Tech college books and handouts.

Ted, the Cuveillos are very good references, I just took and passed AMT MT exam, I have been an MLT/ASCP for twelve years and used only the Cuveillosfor review and drew from my clinical experiences. It is truly a wide variety of questions, study the books front to back very well, not just the chapter tests!!! Good luck

Ted in San Jose, California said: hi every body
i hve plan to take amt exam i understand cuviellos manual are best how can i found the books ? is it expencive please let me know .i am going to take the exam on september

Hey ted just go to amt's website and you can find that.. its not that expensive. btw when in sept you giving exam.. i m also giving in sept only..

Congratulation and welcome to the MT world.

Hey,

I will be taking the AMT (MT) exam in Oct. I was wondering are the Cuveillo books enough to study or should i be focusing on other books and materials

Blairnpb@yahoo.com

If you use read them front to back and study the tests you should do fine.. I have been an MLT/ASCP for 12 years, but you need lots of review on Parasitology, microbiology, and have a very good understanding of kidney function, liver function, hepatitis. I wish you the best of luck. I quizzed my self every night for 3-4 hours for six weeks before taking the exam. Remember do not go back and change your answers unless you are 100% sure!!! Good luck!!!!

The Clinical Laboratory Science Review book by Robert Harr is also a questions and answer format. It is a difficult book with many questions that will likely not be on the actual examinations, whether ASCP or AMT. However, the detailed explanations for the questions are very clear and concise. I will be taking my AMT Certification in September, if I pass that, I will then take the ASCP. I am using the following stuff:

1. Cuviallo Manuals 1 and 2 purchase link: $67.00

www.amt1.com/files/04-09%20Cuviello%20Ref%20Manual%20Order%20Form.pdf

2. Clinical Laboratory Science Review third edition Robert Harr got it for $35.00

I just was reading over everyone's comments. What I find interesting is that I am not allowed to take the ASCP, which is totally disgusting. I have been in the field for going on ten years, but because I lack the work experience in Micro and Immuno. I can never be certified by them. I was slightly hurt, than my boss says, try AMT; there is hope after all. My associates is not null and void with them. ASCP should really be ashamed of themselves; yes, I am just now thinking I should get certified, but really come on, who are they to discriminate.....that's exactly what it is. They behave like some secret society.

You need to have training at the proper facility that meets the certification requirements, namely being CAP certified...

M(ASCP) Technologist in Microbiology
To be eligible for this examination category, an applicant must
satisfy the requirements of at least one of the following routes:
Route 1: MT(ASCP) certification AND a baccalaureate degree from
a regionally accredited college/university, OR
Route 2: Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/
university with a combination of 30 semester hours (45 quarter
hours) of biology and chemistry including one course in
microbiology, AND one year full time acceptable clinical laboratory
experience in Microbiology in the U.S., Canada or a CAP/The Joint
Commission accredited laboratory within the last ten years. This
year of experience must be under the supervision of a pathologist
(certified by the American Board of Pathology) or an appropriately
board certified medical scientist and a certified medical technologist,
OR
Route 3: Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited
college/university with a combination of 30 semester hours (45
quarter hours) of biology and chemistry including 16 semester
hours (24 quarter hours) in microbiology, AND successful
completion of a structured program in Microbiology under the
auspices of a NAACLS accredited Medical Technology Program.
The structured program in Microbiology must be at least one
academic year in length and equivalent to the curriculum for
Microbiology in the Medical Technology Program, OR
Route 4: Master’s degree (or equivalent) in microbiology, or an
appropriately related field, from a regionally accredited
college/university, AND six months full time acceptable clinical
laboratory experience in Microbiology in the U.S., Canada or a
CAP/The Joint Commission accredited laboratory within the last
ten years. These six months of experience must be under t

Hey. This is Sahir. I am also a BSc. in Biological Sciences. I was wondering if this is all I need to qualify to appear for the MT ASCP examination? How do I find out if I qualify?

skotadia@purdue.edu

Wilfredo Cardona in Woodbridge, Virginia said: I have been looking so many sites on job opportunities and wonders me why some vacancy announcements choosing as a requirement ASCP over AMT. I don't why this big disparity. I have a BS degree in Biology and decided to take the AMT Certification so I am a Certified MT (AMT). Both certification required a degree and a test to be certified. I can even see some government announcements through USA Jobs that required a must be ASCP certified. Again, WHY?

Wilfredo Cardona, MT (AMT)

DEE in Burlington, North Carolina said: ^^^^^
HE'S TELLING THE TRUTH YOU GUYS, I WAS ABLE TO TEST FROM DAY ONE
AND I HAVE BS BIOLOGY AS WELL, A MLT(ASCP) AND YEARS OF LAB EXP.
ITS WHAT YOU KNOW NOT WHAT SCHOOL YOU ATTENDED.

WHAT IF I GET 94% AND YOU GOT A 77% ON THE MT(ASCP)? GUESS YOU STILL THINK YOUR SMARTER THAN ME HUH, CAUSE YOU WENT THRU A MT PROGRAM? SO WHAT? GROW UP!

GET WITH THE TIMES, SOME OF YOU GUYS ARE SO OLD FASHIONED.
THAT'S WHY THE LAB IS LIGHT YEARS BEHIND THE OTHER ALLIED CAREERS. YOU LOVE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT STUPID $HIT. IF YOU NEED MORE MONEY USE THE LAB AS A STEPPING STONE TO HIGHER PAYING MEDICAL JOBS. YOUR STUCK ON STUPID.

SOONER OR LATER ALL LAB COURSES WILL BE ONLINE, MAYBE A 2+2 PROGRAM WITH THE LAST 2 YEARS ONLINE, SO NO NEED TO EVEN ATTEND A UNIVERSITY. JUST A COMMUNITY COLLEGE WILL DO FINE, I SEE NO NEED FOR A 4 YEAR UNIVERSITY EDUCATION TO WORK IN THE LAB.

Hey Dee...I hold a BSc. in Biology myself from Purdue Univ. and wanted to become an MT..do I qualify right away with just my BSC. to \take the ASCP MT exam? or do i need that 1 year internship in clinical lab sciences at an NAACLS accredited institution still?
skotadia@purdue.edu

If you want to do the ASCP Certification, you will need to have some years of training at a CAP Certified Lab. Otherwise, you will have to do that 1 year training course. If you want to do AMT Certification, 1 year of training at any general medical lab will suffice.

It is good for you to contact the actual certifying agency to confirm any information. All the information you need is in the handbook. Here is the link:

www.ascp.org/pdf/BOR-PDFs/procedures/Examination-Procedures.aspx

DEE in Burlington, North Carolina said: ^^^^^
HE'S TELLING THE TRUTH YOU GUYS, I WAS ABLE TO TEST FROM DAY ONE
AND I HAVE BS BIOLOGY AS WELL, A MLT(ASCP) AND YEARS OF LAB EXP.
ITS WHAT YOU KNOW NOT WHAT SCHOOL YOU ATTENDED.

WHAT IF I GET 94% AND YOU GOT A 77% ON THE MT(ASCP)? GUESS YOU STILL THINK YOUR SMARTER THAN ME HUH, CAUSE YOU WENT THRU A MT PROGRAM? SO WHAT? GROW UP!

GET WITH THE TIMES, SOME OF YOU GUYS ARE SO OLD FASHIONED.
THAT'S WHY THE LAB IS LIGHT YEARS BEHIND THE OTHER ALLIED CAREERS. YOU LOVE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT STUPID $HIT. IF YOU NEED MORE MONEY USE THE LAB AS A STEPPING STONE TO HIGHER PAYING MEDICAL JOBS. YOUR STUCK ON STUPID.

SOONER OR LATER ALL LAB COURSES WILL BE ONLINE, MAYBE A 2+2 PROGRAM WITH THE LAST 2 YEARS ONLINE, SO NO NEED TO EVEN ATTEND A UNIVERSITY. JUST A COMMUNITY COLLEGE WILL DO FINE, I SEE NO NEED FOR A 4 YEAR UNIVERSITY EDUCATION TO WORK IN THE LAB.

Heh, ahh NO.

YOU may not see the need for a 4 year degree and I don't know what lab you work at, but especially when it comes to the specialty labs from other large hospitals labs, you are going to need that "University education" for them to look at you.

For the Wilfredo, I myself am a former MLT who along the way picked up a Bachelors degree in Biology and I sat in on the NCA CLS test to pick up that certification, so I can here what you are coining from but here is the truth point blank. I am not dogging AMT but truth is you may find some places that will take AMT and ASCP, and you may find places that just take ASCP and not AMT, but you will be VERY hard pressed to find places that take ONLY AMT and not ASCP, that’s just not going to happen. But you WILL find places that take ASCP and NOT AMT. I'm from Minnesota and Ricky is right. We are moving towards licensure and before the only certerifaction we were going to take for it were NCA and ASCP, but now they merged, so it’s just ASCP.

I have a correction.

I was JUST going over the Bill, it DOES have wording that includes AMT. I thought I had heard word that AMT was supposed to be out of there, but in my copy, its still there.

I have to add though, even though it was wording to include AMT, the bill still requires one to have a BA/BS of some kind. So if you are a MLT who took the AMT to become a MT, but never got a 4 year degree, you can't be a MLS under the new bill. You could only be a MLT. If you have a 4 year degree and have a AMT and/or ASCP cert, you are fine. This is as it currently stands. We will see how the bill does early next year. I really hope it passes, we need licensure here.

AMT is not going to drop from the scene and with any change there will always be that, what you call dreadful, grandfather clause. If you were classified as a Technologist or a Technician you will keep your title. The CLS was started to make you feel special and I hope it works.

Has anyone out there taken the M(ASCP)? What is it like? What do I need to study? How hard or easy is it?
mw

Larry in Richardson, Texas said: AMT is not going to drop from the scene and with any change there will always be that, what you call dreadful, grandfather clause. If you were classified as a Technologist or a Technician you will keep your title. The CLS was started to make you feel special and I hope it works.

I don't know who you are directing it at, but seriously, if you have a point to make without a silly attempt to slip an insult in at someone, then make by all means it, otherwise I for one can't take you seriously.

There is nothering wrong with someone taking pride in their jobs, regardless of title (MT, MLS/MT, Phleb, etc). As for MT title change, I personally find the Scientist title more descriptive than technologist. I have very good friends who don't. <shrug>. At the end of the day my freinds and I still want our field to be as united as possible to have a strong single voice.

It does make me feel special and I appreciate all the hard work that the ASCP has done for me. With all the beatdowns at work I've created a ASCP shrine in one of the corners of my house. I have my framed ASCP certification, a velvet Jesus and a picture of my mother in a special corner. I pray to God for the gifts I have received and earned.

I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!

Hey Guys,
I have experimented applying for a Supervisory Position lately,
I am ASCP Certified and I applied for this position using my
AMT License just to find out how it's going to play.

Guess what? With my experienced and how I presented myself
during the interview process plus my AMT registry qualifications,
they "OFFER" me the job.

Case and Point, no matter what kind of license you have,
bottom line is How you can Deliver and look like you will be
the best asset for the company you are applying for.

By the way, I am ASCP, NCA, AMT, License and it's my prerogative
which one's to use and not to use. My first license is AMT before
I passed the others, and I am proud of it!!!

The reality is that ASCP is recognized everywhere, I am a traveling tech I have been working everywhere in the US. The majority of people with the AMT are philipinos, and every lab director and department manager has their ASCP, there might be that 1% that doesn't.

I KNOW THAT FOR A FACT THAT'S WHY I took the ASCP and
PASSED IT TOO!

PASSING AMT for the first time OPENED DOORS of JOB
opportunities Statewide for me and that's my gratitude.

Now, besides working as Med. Tech., I also have on line
Med Tech Review. Thousands of Med. Techs. globally are
benefiting from these review and some already passed various
registry which became their stepping stone on acquiring job
offers and landing job here in the United States with my help.

Mary said: It does make me feel special and I appreciate all the hard work that the ASCP has done for me. With all the beatdowns at work I've created a ASCP shrine in one of the corners of my house. I have my framed ASCP certification, a velvet Jesus and a picture of my mother in a special corner. I pray to God for the gifts I have received and earned.

I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!

mary, that is awesome. :)

Seriously be proud of what you do and your profession! You trained hard and work hard and provide a valuable service working in the laboratory. I don't care if you are a Phleb, MLT or MLS/MT. I myself have worked in about every area of the lab starting as a phleb, going to a MLT and now proud to call myself a MLS. I tried my best in each job position and take pride in that and that something I think all Lab folks should take pride too.