Career/Credentials Upgrading

In implementing the AAB Board of Registry’s fundamental philosophy that individuals should have the opportunity for career advancement and that knowledge and skills may be obtained in a variety of ways, the AAB Board of Registry provides a program that allows individuals to upgrade their certification from PBT(AAB) to POLT(AAB) to MLT(AAB) to MT(AAB). To do so, an individual must obtain additional education, training, or experience. 

All applicants for upgrading to POLT(AAB), MLT(AAB) and MT(AAB) must pass the appropriate AAB Board of Registry examination(s). 

POLT(AAB)s who obtain four (4) years of acceptable clinical laboratory experience within the ten (10) years immediately prior to the application date and six (6) continuing education units (CEUs) by attending workshops, lectures, and seminars during this period OR who document five (5) years of acceptable clinical laboratory experience within the ten (10) years immediately prior to the application date OR who meet MLT qualification routes 1, 2, or 3 may apply to be upgraded to MLT(AAB) - Medical Laboratory Technician. 

A portion of the six (6) CEUs must be obtained by attending workshops, seminars, and lectures at PEER-approved programs. For individuals attending college, the following may be substituted: One (1) acceptable semester hour, or 1½ acceptable quarter hours, toward a degree is equivalent to one (1) CEU.   One (1) CEU is equivalent to ten (10) contact hours. 

MLT(AAB)s who earn a doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s (baccalaureate), or associate degree, or equivalent, from an accredited university or college with a major in a chemical, physical biological, or clinical laboratory science or medical technology may apply to be upgraded to MT(AAB) - Medical Technologist with examination.  

All individuals certified by the AAB Board of Registry are required to revalidate their certification annually.   A new certificate is issued each year to document the individual’s certification status.