MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE EDUCATION

Commission on Higher Education (CHED)

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Technical Committee for Medical Technology Education

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CHED Memorandum Order No. 13, series of 2017 (CMO 13 s. 2017)

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BSMT / BSMLS Minimum Curriculum (based on CMO 13,s. 2017)

The minimum curriculum for the BSMT/ BSMLS program should include:
Classification Units Subjects
General Education Core Courses 24 units Understanding the Self
Readings in Philippine History
The Contemporary World
Mathematics in the Modern World
Purposive Communication
Art Appreciation
Science, Technology & Society
Ethics
General Education Elective Courses 9 units GE Elective 1, GE Elective 2, GE Elective 3
General Education Mandated Course 3 units The Life and Works of Jose Rizal
Physical Education Courses 8 units PE 1, PE 2, PE 3, PE 4
NSTP Courses 6 units NSTP 1, NSTP 2
Core Courses 25 units Inorganic and Organic Chemistry
Analytical Chemistry
Biochemistry for Med Lab Science
Human Anatomy and Physiology with Pathophysiology
Principles and Strategies of Teaching in Med Lab Science
Biostatistics and Epidemiology
Health Information System for Med Lab Science
Professional Courses 65 units Principles of Medical Laboratory Science Practice 1
Principles of Medical Laboratory Science Practice 2
Community and Public Health for Med Lab Science
Human Histology
Molecular Biology and Diagnostics
Med Tech Laws and Bioethics
Cytogenetics
Clinical Chemistry 1
Clinical Bacteriology
Clinical Parasitology
Hematology 1
Histopathologic and Cytologic Techniques
Laboratory Management
Clinical Chemistry 2
Hematology 2
Immunology and Serology
Immunohematology
Analysis of Urine and Body Fluids
Mycology and Virology
Seminar 1
Seminar 2
Research Courses 5 units Intro to Med Lab Science Research
Research Paper Writing and Presentation
Clinical Internship Courses 28 units Clinical Internship 1
Clinical Internship 2
Medical Technology Assessment Program 1
Medical Technology Assessment Program 2
Total 173 units

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 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are allowed to design curricula suited to their own contexts and missions provided that they can demonstrate that
the same leads to the attainment of the required minimum set of outcomes, albeit by a different route.
HEIs offering Medical Technology/ Medical Laboratory Science education may exercise flexibility in their course offering.

LICENSURE FOR THE PRACTICE OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES

The Philippine Board of Medical Technology

- Works under the ___________________________________________
- Appointed by the ______________________________________________________________________________________
- Prepares and administer the Medical Technology Board Examinations
- Composition:
 Chairman: _____________________
 Members: _______ Registered Medical Technologists
- Qualification (based on R.A. 5527):
a. _________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. _________________________________________________________________________________________________
c. _________________________________________________________________________________________________
d. Has been in practice of laboratory medicine or medical technology for at least ten years to his appointment
**Note: For the first three years following the approval of the Act (June 21,1969), the required ten years of experience was
reduced to five years
e. Not a member of of the faculty of any medical technology school for at least two (2) years prior to appointment or having
any pecuniary interest direct or indirect in such institution:
- Term (based on R.A. 5527):
- ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
- Historical Notes: First Board of Examiners
 Chairman: Dr. Arturo Tolentino Jr.
 Members: Mr. Felix E. Asprer and Ms. Azucena S.J. Vizconde
 Instituted the first medical technology board exams on September 1970 which had a passing rate of only 25%
- Current board of examiners:
 Chairman: __________________________
 Members: ___________________________ and ____________________________

The Medical Technology Board Examination

A. Qualification for Examination (based on R.A. 5527):
The applicant:
a. _________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. _________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
**Note: Qualification (c) is no longer applicable nowadays.
c. Individuals who graduated from some other profession but have been performing medical technology for the last 5 years
prior to the date of the examinations, if the performance began prior to June 21, 1969 were also given permission to take
the board examination

B. Scope of Examination (based on R.A. 5527)

The examination questions shall cover the following subjects with their respective relative weights
Subject Relative Weight
Major Subject
Clinical Chemistry
Microbiology & Parasitology
Hematology
Blood Banking & Serology
Minor Subject
Clinical Microscopy (Urinalysis and Other Body Fluids)
Histopathologic Techniques, Cytotechnology, Medical
Technology Laws and its Implementing Rules, and the Code of Ethics

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 C. Conduct of Examinations
- The licensure examinations are administered twice every year, usually during the months of March and September
 September board exams are usually scheduled on ___________________
 March board exams are usually scheduled on weekdays to ______________________________________________
_____________________________________________
- 6 subject examinations
 Each examination is composed of _________-item multiple choice questions
 Maximum of ______ hours is given for each examination
- Two-day written exam
 1st day: ________________________________________________________________________________
 2nd day: _______________________________________________________________________________
D. Criteria to Pass (based on R.A. 5527)
In order to pass the board examination, a candidate:
a. ________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. _________________________________________________________________________________________________
c. _________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sample Computation:
Student A
Subject Relative Weight Rating Remarks
Clinical Chemistry 20% 88
Microbiology & Parasitology 20% 74
Clinical Microscopy (Analysis of Urine & Other Body Fluids) 10% 75
Hematology 20% 74
Blood Banking & Serology 20% 74
Histopathologic Techniques, Cytotechnology, Medical Technology Laws and its 10% 75
Implementing Rules, and the Code of Ethics

General rating 77
THE EXAMINEE ______________________ THE BOARD EXAMINATIONS. RATIONALE:

Student B
Subject Relative Weight Rating Remarks
Clinical Chemistry 20% 90
Microbiology & Parasitology 20% 89
Clinical Microscopy (Analysis of Urine & Other Body Fluids) 10% 85
Hematology 20% 89
Blood Banking & Serology 20% 49
Histopathologic Techniques, Cytotechnology, Medical Technology Laws and its 10% 87
Implementing Rules, and the Code of Ethics

General rating 80.6

THE EXAMINEE ______________________ THE BOARD EXAMINATIONS. RATIONALE:

Student C
Subject Relative Weight Rating
Clinical Chemistry 20% 74
Microbiology & Parasitology 20% 90
Clinical Microscopy (Analysis of Urine & Other Body Fluids) 10% 74
Hematology 20% 74
Blood Banking & Serology 20% 89
Histopathologic Techniques, Cytotechnology, Medical Technology Laws and its 10% 85
Implementing Rules, and the Code of Ethics

General rating 81.3

THE EXAMINEE ______________________ THE BOARD EXAMINATIONS. RATIONALE:

PMLS 1 Medical Laboratory Science Education; Licensure for Practice 3|Page

E. Refresher Course
 No further examination will be given to an applicant who has not qualified after _________examinations, unless
he/ she shall have completed a _________________________________ in an accredited medical technology school
or a _______________________________ in an accredited laboratory
 Graduate of paramedical professions other than Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology/ Bachelor of Science in
Hygiene admitted to an examination due to R.A. 5527 (letter ‘c’ under qualifications of examination) shall not be given
further examinations after his/ her failure for the third time

F. Oath Taking (based on R.A. 5527)

 All successful examinees shall be required to take a professional oath before the Board or before any person
authorized to administer oaths prior to entering upon the practice of medical technology in the Philippines.

G. Issuance of Certificate of Registration (based on R.A. 5527)

 Every applicant who have passed the board examination for medical technologist shall be issued a certificate of registration
 No issuance of certificate of registration to any successful applicant who has not attained the age of _____________
 All certificate of registration shall signed by __________________________________________________________
 The duly registered medical technologists shall be required to display his certificate of registration in the place where he works.
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H. Medical Laboratory Technicians
 Has failed to pass the board examination for medical technology but had obtained a general rating of at least _____.

*Note: During the years immediately after the approval of R.A. 5527, the following qualifications were also valid to be licensed
as medical laboratory technicians.

 Has finished a two-year college course and has at least one year of experience as medical laboratory technician,
Provided, that for every year of deficiency in college attainment, two (2) years of experience may be substituted
 An applicant who has at least ten (10) years of experience as medical laboratory technician as of June
21,1969 regardless of his academic attainment may qualify for registration without examination
 Has passed the civil service examination for medical technician given on March 21, 1964

INTERNATIONAL LICENSURE EXAMINATIONS

1. American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)

- The largest and oldest pathology and laboratory medicine society in the world
- __________________________________________: Offers a formal process for international laboratory
professionals to earn ASCPi credential
- Certification: ____________________________________________
Eligibility:
i. Route 1:
o Baccalaureate degree in Medical Laboratory Science, biological science, or chemistry from an accredited/approved
educational institution
o AND successful completion of a Medical Laboratory Science training program. The training program must
include blood banking (immunohematology), chemistry, hematology, and microbiology

ii. Route 2:
o Baccalaureate degree in Medical Laboratory Science from an accredited/approved educational institution
o AND _____ years of acceptable clinical laboratory experience in an accredited/approved laboratory. Experience must include
blood banking (immunohematology), chemistry, hematology, and microbiology.

iii. Route 3:
o Baccalaureate degree from an accredited/approved educational institution
o AND successful completion of a minimum ________-year Medical Laboratory Science program. The training program must
include blood banking (immunohematology), chemistry, hematology, and microbiology.

iv. Route 4:
o Baccalaureate degree in any _________________ or ___________ from an accredited/approved educational institution
o AND five years of acceptable clinical laboratory experience in an accredited/approved laboratory. Experience must include
blood banking (immunohematology), chemistry, hematology, and microbiology.

v. Route 5:
o Baccalaureate degree from an accredited/approved educational institution
o AND minimum of a ________________________________ or equivalent in any biological science or chemistry from an
accredited/approved educational institution
o AND __________years of acceptable clinical laboratory experience in an accredited/approved laboratory. Experience must
include blood banking (immunohematology), chemistry, hematology, and microbiology.

PMLS 1 Medical Laboratory Science Education; Licensure for Practice 4|Page

- Application fee of $200 for MLS (As of August 2019); Application fees are non-refundable and may be completed
by credit card or by mail with a check or money order

- Examination appointment:
o Pearson VUE delivers certification exams for the ASCP Board of Certifications
o Pearson VUE testing centers in the Philippines:
 Unit 401 Don A. Gothong Centre (Sugbutel), Sergio Osmeña Boulevard, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City
 Unit 2201, Antel Corporate 2000 Centre, 121 Valero Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City, Manila
 27th Floor, Trident Tower, 312 Senator Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City, Manila
o One may schedule the examination date and time at a Pearson Vue within the assigned three-month
examination period indicated on the Admission Notification

- Examination Administration :
o Computer Adaptive Testing (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. 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.

o 100 multiple choice questions scheduled to be answered for _______________________________.

- Examination Content:

Subtests Description Exam

Percentages
BLOOD BANK Blood Products, Blood Group Systems, Blood Group Immunology,
Physiology and Pathophysiology, Serology and Molecular Testing,
Transfusion Practice
URINALYSIS AND Physical and Chemical Testing, Microscopic Analysis,
OTHER BODY FLUIDS Physiology, Disease States
CHEMISTRY Carbohydrates, Lipids, Heme Derivatives, Enzymes, Proteins & Other
Nitrogen‐Containing Compounds, Acid‐Base Determinations (Including
Blood Gases), Electrolytes, Endocrinology, Vitamins and Nutrition,
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, Toxicology
HEMATOLOGY Physiology, Disease States, Hematology Laboratory Testing, Hemostasis
IMMUNOLOGY Principles of Immunology, Diseases of the Immune System,
Transplantation, Infectious Disease Serology, Serologic and Molecular
Procedures, Test Results
MICROBIOLOGY Preanalytic Procedures; Analytic Procedures for Bacteriology; Analytic
Procedures for Mycology, Mycobacteriology, Parasitology, and Virology;
Post‐Analytic Procedures
LABORATORY Quality Assessment/Troubleshooting, Safety, Laboratory Mathematics,
OPERATIONS Manual/Automated Methodology and Instrumentation, Basic Management
Principles, Education Principles

- Criteria to Pass:
o Raw scores are translated to ‘scaled scores’
o Scaled scores are mathematically derived from the raw score
o Scaled scores of 0-999
o Scaled scores are used so that tests may be compared on the same scale even though each examinee has
taken a different form of the examination
o Minimum scaled score of _________ to pass the exams

- Examination score
o The preliminary test results __________________ will appear on the computer screen
o An email notification to retrieve your examination scores will be sent to you within_________ business days after
the examination administration
o Official score report will indicate _______________ and _______________ on the total examination
o If you failed, scaled scores on each subtests will also be indicated

PMLS 1 Medical Laboratory Science Education; Licensure for Practice 5|Page

 - Reapplying for Examination
o Permitted to take the examination __________________________________________
o If after ________ unsuccessful attempts, you must meet the current requirements for eligibility under an
alternate route of that particular examination category.
o If you do not meet the requirements under an alternate route of eligibility, you will no longer be eligible to apply
for that particular examination category.
- Title after initial certification: _________________
- Certification Expiration
o ASCPi certifications prior to January 1, 2012 were awarded certification ______________________
o ASCPi certified-individuals beginning January 1, 2012: ______ years validity
 To maintain validity, participation in the ____________________________________is required.
 Required CMP points for International MLS and International MLT: _____________________
 Point distribution
o ____ point in laboratory or patient safety (i.e. quality control, quality assurance)
o ____ points in each of the following: blood banking, chemistry, hematology,
microbiology
o Remaining points in area(s) of lab specialty, immunology, molecular diagnostics,
management, education, or other related laboratory areas of interest
 CMP points can be acquired via:
 Formal continuing education courses, employer-offered courses, college/ university
coursework, employer assessment, completion of advanced BOC certification teleconferences,
clinical teaching, research and presentation or workshop, authorship of published journals and
books, editing a book, doctoral dissertation, master’s thesis, serving in a BOC advisory board,
and role of on-site inspector/ paper reviewer for laboratory accreditation
 Fees:
 CMP Application Fee of $95
 For those with expired certificates who are seeking reinstatement, they must pay both the CMP
Application Fee and the CMP Reinstatement Fee of $125
 The designation ‘______’ as a superscript is required after certification initials to indicate that you have
successfully maintained your certification
 Title after successful maintenance of certification: ___________________

2. American Medical Technologists

- A national agency that certifies examination-based primary designations of healthcare personnel
- Certifications: ______________________________
- Application fee of $180 for MT (As of August 2019)
- Pearson VUE delivers examinations for the AMT (Same Philippine testing centers with that of the ASCP exams)

- Examination Administration:
o Computer-based testing
o Time Limit: _______________
o ____________ multiple choice items
- Examination Content
Subtests Description Exam Percentage
MT
General Laboratory Laboratory quality, Laboratory Laws and Regulations, Laboratory Safety,
Laboratory Instrumentation, maintenance and principles of operation,
Laboratory Mathematics, Microscopy, Phlebotomy and Specimen
Collection, Patient Identification, Waivered Testing
Clinical Chemistry General knowledge, Instrumentation, Renal Function tests, Hepatic
Function Tests, Carbohydrate metabolism, Protein analysis, Enzymology,
Endocrinology, Lipids, Water and electrolytes, Acid-base balance,
Cerebrospinal Fluid, Other Chemistry Procedures
Hematology General Knowledge, Erythrocyte procedures, Leukocyte procedures,
Thrombocyte procedures, Special procedures, Automated instrumentation
Coagulation and General knowledge, Coagulation procedures
Hemostasis
Immunology and Serology General knowledge, Serological tests for Syphilis, Analytic procedures,
Special procedures
Immunohematology General knowledge, Blood typing, Immune response, Compatibility
Testing Principles and Procedures, Rh Immune globulin, Special Tests
Blood Banking and General knowledge, Blood Banking Practices
Transfusion Services
Microbiology General Knowledge; Media Quality Control, Techniques, and Cultures;
Bacterial Identification; Special Tests, Virology; Parasitology; Mycology
Urinalysis and Body General Knowledge; Renal Function; Urinalysis Procedures; Special
Fluids Tests

- Criteria to Pass:

PMLS 1 Medical Laboratory Science Education; Licensure for Practice 6|Page

 o Raw scores are converted to “Scaled Scores” ranging from 0 to 100
 Used to provide a common scale for reviewing and reporting test results across examinees, and across
different forms of the same test
 Scores that examinees receive, are neither percentages of questions, nor numbers of questions
answered correctly. Rather, these are points on a 0 to 100 scale
o Minimum scaled score of ____ to pass the exams
- Retesting: Candidates can take the exam up to a maximum of _____________
- Annual Renewal Fee of $90.00
- Certification Continuation Program
o Requires certified members to document activities supporting continuing education (CE) every ______ years as
well as pay an annual fee in order to keep their status active
o For every three years, one must pay the annual fee and obtain ______ CE points (every 3 years)
o **CE points can be earned through:
 Professional Education, Formal Education, Employment Verification, Authorship of Written Work,
Instructional Presentation, Organizational Participation & AMT Online Continuing Education

References:
Cardona, C., Garcia-Meim, R., & Martin, G. (2015). Introduction to Medical technology Practice in the Philippine Setting. Quezon City: C&E
Publishing, Inc.

Benitez, P., Dumaoal, O., Estrella, F., & Mortel, F., Nava, M.R. (2019). Principles of Medical Laboratory Science 1. Quezon City: C&E
Publishing, Inc.

ASCP Board of Certification. (2019). International Procedures for Examination & Certification [Ebook] (pp. 2-3, 5, 16-19). Chicago: ASCP Board of
Certification. Retrieved from https://www.ascp.org/content/docs/default-source/boc-pdfs/exam-content-outlines/ascp-international-procedures-
book.pdf?sfvrsn=12

ASCP Board of Certification. (2019). CMP International Credential Maintenance Program [Ebook]. Chicago: ASCP Board of Certification. Retrieved from
https://www.ascp.org/content/docs/default-source/boc-pdfs/boc-stay-credentialed-general-cmp-pdfs/ascp-cmp-international-booklet-final-
web.pdf?sfvrsn=8

ASCP Board of Certification. (2019). Medical Laboratory Scientist & International Medical Laboratory Scientist Examination Content Guideline [Ebook].
Chicago: ASCP Board of Certification. Retrieved from https://www.ascp.org/content/docs/default-source/boc-pdfs/boc-us-
guidelines/mls_imls_content_guideline.pdf?sfvrsn=14

American Medical Technologists. (2019). AMT Candidate Handbook[Ebook]. Rosemont, Illinois: American Medical
Technologists. Retrieved from http://www.americanmedtech.org/Portals/0/PDF/Get%20Cert/Candidate%20Handbook.pdf

American Medical Technologists. (2019). CCP Guidance Document [Ebook]. Rosemont, Illinois: American Medical Technologists. Retrieved from
https://www.americanmedtech.org/Portals/0/PDF/Stay%20Cert/CCPGuidanceDocument.pdf
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