How long is the application process?

The length of time to process your application varies because receipt of documentation, such as transcripts and employer verifications, takes time. Once the AAB Board of Registry office has received all the required documents and the application has been forwarded to the Board, it typically takes nine to twelve weeks to receive a decision. Decisions made by the Board with regard to your application will only be conveyed by formal written correspondence from the AAB Board of Registry office, not by telephone.

Do I need to be a member to apply for certification?

No. Once your application is processed, you will receive a free membership in the AAB Associate Member Section (AMS) through the end of the year*. As a member you will also receive discounts on AAB publications, study materials, and online courses.
*Note: Applicants submitting an application between January and September will receive membership through the end of the current year. An applicant applying between October and December will receive a membership for the remainder of the current year and the next year.

What fees must be paid when an application is submitted?

The appropriate application fee is due at the time the application is completed online. The examination fee is not due until you are approved to take the examination, although you may pay earlier if you wish. Application fees are nonrefundable; examination fees are refundable if the examination is cancelled sufficiently in advance. Click here for details on fees.

Can I send a copy of my transcript?

No. Academic transcripts (US and International) must be forwarded to the ABOR office directly from the issuing institution. Transcripts must be official and contain the seal of the educational institution. Transcripts and equivalency evaluations may be forwarded by mail to: ABOR, 906 Olive Street, Suite 1200, St. Louis, Missouri 63101.

ABOR will also accept official electronic transcripts and equivalency evaluations, provided they are forwarded directly to ABOR by the University or a company in partnership with the University (e.g., Transcripts Plus, Student Clearing House, and Parchment). Electronic transcripts should be forwarded to transcripts@aab.org. Click here for details on ABOR's transcript policy.

Where should transcripts and other documents be sent?

Transcripts and any other required documentation should be sent to the ABOR office at 906 Olive Street, Suite 1200, St. Louis, Missouri 63101. Official electronic transcripts and equivalency evaluations may be forwarded directly to transcripts@aab.org by the University/College, or a partner company. Transcripts MAY NOT be forwarded by the applicant. Click here for details on ABOR's transcript policy.

How is full-time employment defined?

2,080 clock hours equal one (1) year of full-time employment.

How do I convert quarter hours to semester hours?

College credits in quarter hours will be converted to semester hours at the rate of 1.5 quarter hours per 1.0 semester hour.

Will my money be refunded if I am not approved to take the examination?

No, application fees are nonrefundable.

How long do I have to sit for an examination after my application has been approved?

Applicants have one (1) year from the date of the approval letter to take the examination.

Where is the examination given?

The examination is offered in California and Florida three to four times a year, usually at a community college or hospital. The California and Florida examination dates and sites are posted on the exam dates and locations page.

In other states the examination is given at approved college or university testing centers. A list of approved testing centers will be forwarded to you after you are approved to sit for the examination. Examinations must be scheduled and confirmed a minimum of 4 weeks in advance.

Will my examination fees be refunded if I cancel my examination?

Applicants are allowed two (2) cancellations or “failures to appear” per application. However, a “failure to appear” without cancelling in advance will result in forfeiture of the examination fee (including the proctor fee) and an additional $80 fee to reschedule the examination. A second “failure to appear” without cancelling in advance in writing will result in forfeiture of the examination fee, the proctor fee and the closing of your application.

Examination fees are refundable for the first cancellation in advance of the examination. However, if the cancellation occurs eight (8) business days or fewer before the examination date, an $80 fee will be assessed for the first cancellation.

For the second cancellation in advance of the examination, an $80 fee applies regardless of when the examination is cancelled. If the cancellation occurs eight (8) business days or fewer before the examination date, the examination fee and proctor fee will be forfeited.

After a second cancellation, if you "fail to appear" for an examination, the examination fees, including the proctor fee, will be forfeited and your application will be closed. You will then have to re-apply and go through the application process again, if you wish to pursue your certification.

Are there any study materials available?

After the Board determines that you are eligible to sit for the examination(s), you will receive a Content Outline for ABOR examination(s) that you are eligible to take. The Content Outline lists the topics covered by the examination(s) and the approximate percentage of questions in each of those topics.

At that time a reference book list will also be forwarded to help you prepare for the examination(s).

AAB publishes the Proficiency Examination Review (PER) series, including the PER Questions and Answers Book for the traditional disciplines of chemistry, hematology, immunohematology, immunology, and microbiology. For basic knowledge AAB publishes the PER Basic Knowledge Manual. New 2024 edition PER Manuals have been released for the disciplines of chemistry, hematology, immunohematology, and immunology, with a microbiology manual in development. 

For andrology and embryology AAB publishes the Andrology And Embryology Review Course Manual. Be aware that some andrology is found on the embryology exam. If you are taking the embryology exam, you should understand those sections of the andrology chapter that can impact fertilization, embryo development, and pregnancy. MTs should be familiar with material found in the MT/MLT General Knowledge, Basic Blood Collection and Handling, and Mathematics section in addition to the material found in the General Lab Management Employment Law, CLIA '88, and OSHA section.

AAB also publishes online courses to help individuals earn continuing education credits (CE) and study for certification examinations. Online courses are available for topics in both reproductive and traditional clinical laboratories.

AAB’s study materials can be purchased online through the AAB Bookstore and the AAB Online Courses. If you do not want to order online, call 800-457-3332 to purchase study materials by telephone. Telephone orders must be paid by credit card. You can also print a copy of the AAB Publications' Order Form and fax the form with credit card information to 314-241-1449 or mail the form with applicable payment to AAB, 906 Olive Street, Suite 1200, Saint Louis, MO 63101-1448.

Is the examination written or computerized?

The examination is a paper and pencil test, but it is scored by computer.

Will I be allowed to use a calculator during the examination?

No.

What are the requirements for passing the generalist examination or the individual discipline examination(s)?

There is a two-fold scoring requirement to pass the Generalist MT and MLT examinations. To pass the Generalist MT/MLT examinations, you must answer at least 50% correct within each of the five disciplines and answer at least 60% correct on both the basic knowledge discipline and on your overall (all five disciplines plus basic knowledge) score. If you fail one discipline on the Generalist examination, you fail the entire examination.  

Individual discipline examinations are scored by discipline. If you correctly answer the minimum number needed to pass (60% of 70 questions), you pass in that discipline. If you fail a discipline(s), you only need to retake the discipline(s) you failed. However, you must pass the Basic Knowledge examination before you can be certified in any discipline.

Example of scores for Generalist MT/MLT examination:

This individual needed to score at least 60% in Basic Knowledge, and did. The individual also needed to score at least 50% in each of the five disciplines, which he/she did except for the discipline of Microbiology. This alone caused the individual to fail the entire Generalist examination. In addition, the individual needed to score at least 60% overall, which he/she did not do. This, by itself, would also cause the individual to fail the entire examination.

How will I receive my examination results?

Examination results are forwarded via email. Be sure AAB Board of Registry's email address, abor@aab.org, is in your email address book.

How soon will I receive my examination results?

You should receive your examination results 4-6 weeks from the date of your examination.

What happens if I fail the examination?

Once approved, you have 1 year to take the examination for the first time. If you fail, you then have 1 year from the date of your failed examination to retake it, however you must wait 3 months before taking another examination.

If you fail a second time, you must wait 6 months before attempting the exam again. After the 6-month wait, you will have 1 year to take it again.

For applicants seeking California licensure: after a second failure, you must wait 12 months before retaking the exam.

After three failed attempts, your application will be closed. You will need to wait 18 months to reapply for certification and 24 months to retake the examination.

How long is the examination?

The generalist examination is 5 hours. There is a break after 2 ½ hours. The first section of the examination consists of basic knowledge, chemistry and microbiology. The second section consists of immunology, hematology and immunohematology.

Individual discipline examinations are 90 minutes each. A maximum of 3 exams can be taken by discipline per day. The basic knowledge examination must be taken at the first sitting.

Does ABOR accept other certifying or licensing examinations?

The AAB Board of Registry only recognizes examinations administered by the AAB Board of Registry.

How do I have the “Provisional Status” removed from my certification?

Once you have obtained the required training/experience, submit a written request to abor@aab.org. Click here for details on the provisional removal process and requirements.

Which states recognize my AAB Board of Registry certification?

Most states (38) do not license MTs and MLTs. In these states, the federal CLIA rules apply. Under CLIA, you must have at least an associate degree (or the equivalent) with a major in a laboratory science to perform high complexity testing. In these states, recognition of your certification is determined by the laboratory.

Of the twelve states that require MTs and MLTs to pass a certifying or licensure examination, eleven recognize the AAB Board of Registry examinations: California, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, Hawaii, Montana, Louisiana, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and West Virginia. [NOTE: The State of Florida is now recognizing the AAB Board of Registry’s Medical Technologist (MT) examinations in andrology, embryology and molecular diagnostics, in addition to the disciplines of chemistry, hematology, immunology, immunohematology, and microbiology.]

What documents are required to submit a name change?

A notarized copy of the legal document(s) changing your name (e.g., marriage license or divorce decree) must be mailed to the AAB Board of Registry office. Electronic or faxed copies will not be accepted.

To complete your name change request, please submit the name change request form and send supporting documents to our office.

What is a CLIA certificate?

If you are documenting laboratory experience as part of your application or provisional status removal, a copy of the laboratory's CLIA certificate will be required. CLIA certificates are issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and are required for laboratories performing testing on human specimens.

If you are not sure how to obtain your laboratory's CLIA certificate, check with your supervisor, laboratory director or human resources department.