Medical Laboratory Technician, AAS Admission Requirements

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Applying for Program Admission

This degree program requires a special program application. Please read all of the information on this page carefully.

• Program prerequisites must be completed (with grades posted) as described in Program Requirements before being accepted into the program.
• The program application [PDF] must be completed and returned to the Medical Laboratory Technician program for processing. It is important to check your Pima email account regularly as program information will be communicated to you via this account.

Program Pre-Admission Requirements 

• New and transfer students are required to complete the program admissions application.
• Transfer courses earned from another regionally accredited institution are not valid until they have been officially evaluated and grades have been posted on PCC transcripts.  An official (sealed) transcript and Student Request for Transcript Evaluation form must be submitted to PCC Admissions Office.
• Students who have successfully completed a college level science course may request to be cleared to take MLT 100IN (or MLT 100 and MLT 100LB) prior to being admitted to the MLT program.  Students may not take other MLT courses for credit until they are accepted into the MLT program.
• Students may submit a request to audit MLT courses to the MLT program director.  Audits are approved on a case by case basis and only when space is available.  No credits will be earned for any MLT course that is audited.
• Program preparatory coursework must be completed with grades and/or assessment scores posted on PCC transcripts before applying to the program.
• Preparatory courswork includes:
  • CHM 151IN  with a grade of B or better within the last eight years
  • MAT 151  or higher level math or placement into MAT 189 or higher

  • Next-Generation Accuplacer score of 265 or one of these courses:

    • REA 112HP  

    • REA 112  

Program Admissions and Course Information 

• Required vaccinations for entering/continuing in the Medical Laboratory Technician program: The Medical Laboratory Technician program works with hospitals and agencies that require the hepatitis B vaccination and an annual flu vaccination.  Additional vaccination requirements for the clinical portion of the program are listed in the next section of this page.
• Students accepted into the MLT program must have the “MLT Technical Standards Essential for MLT Practice” completed by a licensed health care provider.
• The MLT program accepts eight qualified students each fall and spring semester.  The first eight (8) applicants who meet the criteria listed below will be notified of their acceptance into the MLT program.   Notification is sent by email from the MLT program director in October or March in the preceding semester.   Applicants are accepted / prioritized as follows:  (1)   Applicants who have successfully complete all prerequisites (minimum grades apply), including MLT 100IN (or MLT 100 and MLT 100LB) (2)  If there are less than eight students who have completed all prerequisites, alternate spots will be assigned to the students who are currently enrolled in the remaining prerequisites.  Failure of the student to complete these prerequisites (minimum grades apply) in the preceding  semester will result in the forfeiture of their program seat.  Depending on the number of qualified applicants, acceptance will be determined based on the date of the program admissions application.  Remaining students will be placed on a waiting list for the following semester. 
• Completion time for the MLT program is based on Accuplacer assessment results, completion of program admission requirements and support courses.
• The MLT program may be completed within five semesters (includes a clinical rotation at an affiliated hospital or reference laboratory).  Clinical placement is not guaranteed, and length of program does not include delay when placements are unavailable.
• Students must receive a C grade or better on all core courses in order to progress to the next semester.

To participate in the clinical portion of the program, students must:

• Successfully complete all required courses and meet minimum grade requirements.
• Provide and maintain an Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) Fingerprint Clearance Card.
• Pass a urine toxicology screening exam from a certified laboratory.
• Provide proof of immunity status to Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella and Hepatitis B Virus.
• Provide proof of immunization to Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Influenza.
• Provide proof of a two-step negative TB skin test or negative chest X-ray within the last year.
  • Some clinical sites require a second TB skin test be administered within 1 to 3 weeks of a negative test.
  • Students may opt for a blood test to replace this Two-Step TB skin test.
• Provide proof of health insurance coverage.
• Provide a declaration of health from a licensed healthcare provider (MLT Technical Standards Essential for MLT Practice).
• Be able to perform a number of essential functions in the clinical portion of the program.  Students must have visual acuity, color, shade and depth perception to accurately perform and interpret laboratory tests.  Students must be able to read computer screens, specimen/reagent, labels and warning signs.  Students must be able to clearly and accurately communicate with patients and health care professionals in English, and accurately follow verbal and written instructions.  Students must be able to stand/sit for prolonged periods and move freely and safely through the laboratory.  Be able to grasp, sit, squat, stoop, bend, reach, push, pull, lift and carry up to 50 pounds.  Students must also have sufficient hand-eye coordination to efficiently, accurately and safely operate laboratory equipment, such as pipettes, inoculating loops, precision instrumentation, and perform phlebotomy procedures.

Important Information on the American Society for Clinical Pathology Medical Laboratory Technician Certification Examination (ASCP-MLT)

Graduation from the Medical Laboratory Technician program is not contingent upon passing a certification or licensing examination.  Certification requirements and subsequent procedures are the exclusive right and responsibility of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification.  For more information on licensure requirements, go to www.ascp.org.