Crossing state lines: a guide to state laboratory science licensure

Not all states require separate state licensure for medical laboratory scientists and technicians. While all lab professionals working in the U.S. must meet CLIA requirements, only certain states have additional state-level licensure requirements beyond federal certification.

The states listed on this page are those that require state-specific licensure for medical laboratory professionals. In states without a state licensure requirement, your national certification (such as ASCP or AMT) is typically sufficient to practice. Our guides for each state detail the specific requirements and application process.

Currently, there is no interstate compact for medical laboratory professionals. Unlike nursing (NLC) and physical therapy (PT Compact), laboratory science does not yet have a multi-state licensure agreement. This means you'll need to obtain a separate license in each state that requires one.

Since relatively few states require state-level lab licensure, the impact is more manageable than in professions where all states require licensing. Having your national certification (ASCP, AMT, or equivalent) streamlines the application process in states that do require licensure.

Continuing education units (CEUs) are educational credits that licensed medical laboratory professionals must complete to maintain and renew their licensure. These requirements ensure you stay current with advances in laboratory science, testing methodologies, and quality assurance practices.

CEU requirements vary by state — both in the number of hours required and the renewal cycle length. Common topics include clinical chemistry, hematology, microbiology, blood banking, quality control, and laboratory safety. Activities can take the form of workshops, conferences, online courses, and self-study modules.

Note that maintaining your national certification (ASCP, AMT) also requires continuing education. Many states accept nationally-approved CEs toward state renewal requirements. Our state-by-state guides detail the exact CEU requirements for each jurisdiction.

Plan in advance

Getting licensed in a new state can take time, depending on the state's processing times and requirements. Planning ahead gives you the best chance of starting your assignment on time.

Here are some suggestions:

• Talk to your recruiter about which states have strong demand for lab professionals and whether those states require licensure
• Keep a list of your preferred travel destinations so you can prioritize license applications
• Maintain active licenses in states where you want to work regularly
• Keep your national certification (ASCP, AMT) current — it's required for licensure in most states

Stay organized

License applications require various documents — national certification, school transcripts, verification from other state boards, and background check results. Gather and organize these documents in advance so you can quickly submit applications when new opportunities arise.

Be prepared

Some states have unique requirements beyond national certification. Review each state's requirements using our guides before starting your application.

Also stay on top of renewal requirements — states that require licensure typically require a combination of CEUs and a renewal fee. It's up to you to decide which licenses to renew versus which ones to let lapse based on where you plan to travel next.