MLS ASCPi Exam Content Guidlines 2019
MLS ASCPi Exam Content Guidlines 2019
MLS ASCPi Exam Content Guidlines 2019
VALID ONLY FOR MLS(ASCP) AND MLS(ASCPi)
TESTING DATES BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2019
MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST, MLS(ASCP)
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST, MLS(ASCP i )
EXAMINATION CONTENT GUIDELINE
EXAMINATION MODEL
The MLS(ASCP) and MLS(ASCPi) certification examination is composed of 100 questions given in a 2 hour 30 minute time
frame. All exam questions are multiple‐choice with one best answer. The certification exam is administered using the
format of computer adaptive testing (CAT).
With 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 and is classified by content area. The content area aligns
with the examination specific content outline. The examinee must answer enough questions correctly to achieve a
measure above the pass point in order to successfully pass the certification examination. There is no set number of
questions one must answer to pass, nor is there a set percentage one must achieve to pass. If at the end of the exam the
examinee’s score is above the pass point, then he or she passes the exam.
EXAMINATION CONTENT AREAS
The MLS exam questions encompass different content areas within Medical Laboratory Science: Blood Banking, Urinalysis
and Other Body Fluids, Chemistry, Hematology, Immunology, Microbiology, and Laboratory Operations. Each of these
content areas comprise a specific percentage of the overall 100‐question exam. The content areas and percentages are
described below:
EXAM
CONTENT AREA DESCRIPTION
PERCENTAGE
Blood Products, Blood Group Systems, Blood Group Immunology,
BLOOD BANKING Physiology and Pathophysiology, Serology and Molecular Testing, 17 – 22%
Transfusion Practice
URINALYSIS AND Physical and Chemical Testing, Microscopic Analysis, Physiology, Disease
5 – 10%
OTHER BODY FLUIDS States
Carbohydrates, Lipids, Heme Derivatives, Enzymes, Proteins & Other
Nitrogen‐Containing Compounds, Acid‐Base Determinations (Including
CHEMISTRY 17 – 22%
Blood Gases), Electrolytes, Endocrinology, Vitamins and Nutrition,
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, Toxicology
ASCP BOC 33 West Monroe Street, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60603 | www.ascp.org/boc | Revised: August 2018 | Page 1 of 12
VALID ONLY FOR MLS(ASCP) AND MLS(ASCPi)
TESTING DATES BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2019
MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST, MLS(ASCP)
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST, MLS(ASCP i )
EXAMINATION CONTENT OUTLINE
Examination questions, which are related to the subtest areas outlined below, may be both theoretical and/or procedural.
Theoretical questions measure skills necessary to apply knowledge, calculate results, and correlate patient results to
disease states. Procedural questions measure skills necessary to perform laboratory techniques and follow quality
assurance protocols. Additionally, regulatory questions are based on U.S. sources (e.g., AABB, FDA, CLIA, etc.).
BLOOD BANKING
(17 – 22% of total exam)
I. BLOOD PRODUCTS II. BLOOD GROUP SYSTEMS
A. Donors A. Genetics
1. Qualification 1. Basic
2. Collection methods 2. Molecular
3. Adverse reactions 3. Inheritance of blood groups
4. Special donations (e.g., autologous) B. Chemistry, Antigens
B. Processing 1. ABO
1. Testing 2. Lewis
2. Labeling 3. Rh
C. Storage 4. MNS
1. Anticoagulants/additives 5. P1PK/Globoside(P)
2. Temperature requirements 6. Ii
3. Transportation 7. Kell
4. Properties of stored products 8. Kidd
5. Expiration 9. Duffy
D. Blood Components 10. Lutheran
1. Red blood cells 11. Other
2. Cryoprecipitated AHF 12. Antigens of high prevalence
3. Platelets 13. Antigens of low prevalence
4. Plasma 14. HLA
5. Leukocyte‐reduced components 15. Platelet‐specific
6. Frozen/deglycerolized red blood cells 16. Granulocyte‐specific
7. Apheresis products C. Role of Blood Groups in Transfusion
8. Fractionation products 1. Immunogenicity
9. Whole blood 2. Antigen frequency
10. Washed red blood cells
11. Rejuvenated red blood cells III. BLOOD GROUP IMMUNOLOGY
12. Irradiated components A. Immune Response
E. Blood Component Quality Control 1. Primary and secondary response
2. B and T cells, macrophages
3. Genetics
B. Immunoglobulins
1. Classes and subclasses
2. Structure
3. Biologic and physical properties
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C. Antigen‐Antibody Interactions
1. Principles 3. Antibody identification/clinical significance
2. Testing 4. Direct antiglobulin testing
a. Principles B. Reagents
b. Methods 1. Antiglobulin sera
D. Complement 2. Blood grouping sera
1. Classical and alternative pathway 3. Reagent red cells
mechanisms C. Application of Special Tests and Reagents
2. Biologic properties 1. Enzymes
2. Enhancement media
IV. PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 3. Lectins
A. Physiology of Blood 4. Adsorptions
1. Circulation and blood volume 5. Elutions
2. Composition and function of blood 6. Titrations
a. Normal function 7. Cell separations
b. Abnormal physiology 8. ELISA
3. Cell survival 9. Molecular techniques
4. Cell metabolism 10. Neutralization/inhibition
B. Hemostasis and Coagulation 11. Use of thiol reagents
1. Coagulation factors and disorders 12. Immunofluorescence
2. Platelet functions and disorders 13. Solid phase
C. Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn 14. Column agglutination test
1. Pathophysiology 15. Chloroquine diphosphate
2. Detection 16. EDTA glycine acid
3. Treatment D. Leukocyte/Platelet Testing
4. Prevention 1. Cytotoxicity
D. Anemias 2. Platelet testing
1. Congenital and acquired 3. Granulocyte testing
a. Pathophysiology E. Quality Assurance
b. Detection 1. Blood samples
c. Treatment 2. Reagents
2. Immune hemolytic anemias: warm, cold, 3. Test procedures
drug‐induced
a. Pathophysiology VI. TRANSFUSION PRACTICE
b. Detection A. Indications for Transfusion
c. Treatment B. Component Therapy
E. Transplantation C. Adverse Effects of Transfusion
1. Solid organ 1. Immunologic reactions
2. Hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) 2. Nonimmunologic reactions
3. Transfusion‐transmitted diseases
V. SEROLOGIC AND MOLECULAR TESTING D. Apheresis and Extracorporeal Circulation
A. Routine Tests E. Blood Administration and Patient Blood
1. Blood grouping tests Management
2. Compatibility tests
a. Antibody detection
b. Crossmatch
ASCP BOC 33 West Monroe Street, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60603 | www.ascp.org/boc | Revised: August 2018 | Page 3 of 12
VALID ONLY FOR MLS(ASCP) AND MLS(ASCPi)
TESTING DATES BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2019
URINALYSIS AND BODY FLUIDS B. Lipids
(5 – 10% of total exam) 1. Biochemical theory and physiology
a. Metabolic pathways
I. URINALYSIS
b. Normal and abnormal states
A. Physical
c. Physical and chemical properties
1. Color and clarity
1) Lipoproteins
2. Specific gravity/osmolality
2) Phospholipids
B. Chemical
3) Triglycerides
1. Reagent strip
4) Cholesterol
2. Confirmatory tests
5) Apolipoproteins
C. Microscopic
2. Test procedures
1. Cells
a. Principles
2. Casts
b. Special precautions, specimen
3. Crystals
collection and processing,
4. Microorganisms
troubleshooting, and interfering
5. Contaminants
substances
6. Artifacts
3. Test result interpretation
D. Renal Physiology
4. Disease state correlation
E. Disease States
C. Heme Derivatives
1. Biochemical theory and physiology
II. BODY FLUIDS (e.g., CSF, Amniotic, Synovial,
a. Metabolic pathways
Serous, Semen, and Feces) b. Normal and abnormal states
A. Physical c. Physical and chemical properties
B. Chemical 1) Hemoglobin
C. Microscopic 2) Bilirubin
D. Physiology 3) Urobilinogen
E. Disease States 4) Myoglobin
5) Other porphyrins
2. Test procedures
CHEMISTRY a. Principles
(17 – 22% of total exam) b. Special precautions, specimen
I. GENERAL CHEMISTRY collection and processing,
A. Carbohydrates troubleshooting, and interfering
1. Biochemical theory and physiology substances
a. Metabolic pathways 3. Test result interpretation
b. Normal and abnormal states 4. Disease state correlation
c. Physical and chemical properties
2. Test procedures II. PROTEINS AND ENZYMES
a. Principles A. Enzymes
b. Special precautions, specimen 1. Biochemical theory and physiology
collection and processing, a. Metabolic pathways
troubleshooting, and interfering b. Normal and abnormal states
substances c. Physical and chemical properties
c. Tolerance testing 1) LD
d. Glycated proteins 2) CK
3. Test result interpretation 3) AST/ALT
4. Disease state correlation 4) GGT
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TESTING DATES BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2019
5) Lipase b. Special precautions, specimen
6) Amylase collection and processing,
7) Alkaline phosphatase troubleshooting, and interfering
8) Other enzymes substances
2. Test procedures 3. Test result interpretation
a. Principles 4. Disease state correlation
b. Special precautions, specimen B. Electrolytes
collection and processing, 1. Biochemical theory and physiology
troubleshooting, and interfering a. Sodium, potassium, chloride, CO2,
substances bicarbonate
3. Test result interpretation b. Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron,
4. Disease state correlation TIBC
B. Proteins and Other Nitrogen‐Containing c. Trace elements
Compounds d. Normal and abnormal states
1. Biochemical theory and physiology 2. Test procedures
a. Metabolic pathways a. Principles
b. Normal and abnormal states b. Special precautions, specimen
c. Physical and chemical properties collection and processing,
1) Proteins troubleshooting, and interfering
2) Amino acids substances
3) Urea 3. Calculations (osmolality, anion gap)
4) Uric acid 4. Test result interpretation
5) Creatinine 5. Disease state correlation
6) Ammonia
7) Tumor markers IV. SPECIAL CHEMISTRY
8) Viral proteins A. Endocrinology
9) Cardiac markers 1. Biochemical theory and physiology
10) Other compounds a. Metabolic pathways
2. Test procedures b. Normal and abnormal states
a. Principles c. Mechanism of action
b. Special precautions, specimen d. Physical and chemical properties
collection and processing, 1) Steroid hormones (e.g., cortisol,
troubleshooting, and interfering estrogen, hCG)
substances 2) Peptide hormones (e.g., insulin,
c. Clearances prolactin)
3. Test result interpretation 3) Thyroid hormones
4. Disease state correlation 4) Other hormones
2. Test procedures
III. ACID‐BASE, BLOOD GASES AND ELECTROLYTES a. Principles
A. Acid‐Base Determinations (Including 1) Fluorescence
Blood Gases) 2) Immunoassay
1. Biochemical theory and physiology 3) Other methods
a. Henderson‐Hasselbach equation b. Special precautions, specimen
b. pH and H+ ion concentration collection and processing,
c. CO2 and O2 transport troubleshooting, and interfering
d. Normal and abnormal states substances
2. Test procedures c. Stimulation/suppression tests
a. Analytical principles
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VALID ONLY FOR MLS(ASCP) AND MLS(ASCPi)
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3. Test result interpretation d. Drugs of abuse
4. Disease state correlation e. Other toxins
B. Vitamins and Nutrition 3. Test procedures
1. Biochemical theory and physiology a. Principles
a. Metabolism and action 1) Immunoassay
b. Normal and abnormal states 2) Other methods
c. Properties b. Special precautions, specimen
1) Vitamin D collection and processing,
2) Vitamin B12/folate troubleshooting, and interfering
3) Other vitamins substances
2. Test procedures 4. Test result interpretation
a. Principles 5. Disease state correlation
b. Special precautions, specimen
collection and processing,
troubleshooting, and interfering HEMATOLOGY
substances
(17 – 22% of total exam)
3. Test result interpretation
4. Disease state correlation I. PHYSIOLOGY (to include blood, body fluids,
C. Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and bone marrow)
1. Pharmacokinetics A. Production
a. Therapeutic states B. Destruction
b. Toxic states C. Function
c. Metabolism and excretion
2. Chemical and physical properties II. DISEASE STATES
a. Aminoglycosides (e.g., gentamicin) A. Erythrocytes
b. Cardioactive (e.g., digoxin) 1. Anemia
c. Anti‐convulsants (e.g., phenobarbital) a. Microcytic
d. Anti‐depressants (e.g., lithium) 1) Iron deficiency
e. Immunosuppressants (e.g., tacrolimus) 2) Thalassemia
f. Other drugs 3) Sideroblastic
3. Test procedures 4) Chronic inflammation
a. Principles b. Normocytic
1) Immunoassay 1) Hereditary hemolytic
2) Other methods 2) Acquired hemolytic
b. Special precautions, specimen 3) Hypoproliferative
collection and processing, 4) Acute hemorrhage
troubleshooting, and interfering c. Macrocytic
substances 1) Megaloblastic
4. Test result interpretation 2) Non‐megaloblastic
5. Disease state correlation d. Hemoglobinopathies
D. Toxicology 2. Erythrocytosis
1. Toxicokinetics a. Relative
a. Toxic effects, signs and symptoms b. Absolute
b. Metabolism and excretion B. Leukocytes (WHO classification)
2. Chemical and physical properties 1. Benign leukocyte disorders
a. Alcohols a. Myeloid
b. Heavy metals (e.g., lead) b. Lymphoid
c. Analgesics (e.g., acetaminophen)
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2. Myeloid neoplasia I. Flow Cytometry Immunophenotyping
a. Acute leukemia 1. Leukemia
b. Myelodysplastic syndromes 2. Lymphoma
c. Myeloproliferative neoplasms 3. Lymphocyte subsets
3. Lymphoid neoplasia 4. PNH
a. Acute leukemia J. Molecular and Cytogenetic Testing
b. Chronic leukemia/lymphoma 1. Recurring cytogenetic abnormalities (WHO
c. Plasma cell dyscrasias classification)
4. Hereditary anomalies 2. BCR‐ABL
C. Platelets 3. JAK2
1. Quantitative abnormalities
a. Thrombocytopenia IV. HEMOSTASIS
1) Increased destruction (e.g., ITP, A. Physiology
TTP, HIT) 1. Coagulation pathways
2) Decreased production 2. Fibrinolytic pathway
3) Pseudothrombocytopenia 3. Vascular system
b. Thrombocytosis B. Disease States
2. Qualitative defects 1. Coagulation factor deficiencies
a. von Willebrand disease a. Acquired
b. Bernard‐Soulier syndrome b. Hereditary
c. Glanzmann thrombasthenia 2. Inhibitors
3. Fibrinolytic system
III. HEMATOLOGY LABORATORY TESTING 4. Hypercoagulable states
A. Cell Counts (to include blood and body fluids) 5. DIC
1. Manual C. Laboratory Determinations
2. Automated 1. PT/INR
3. Reticulocytes 2. APTT
4. Spurious results 3. Fibrinogen
B. Differentials and Morphology Evaluation (to 4. D‐dimer
include blood and body fluids) 5. Thrombin time
C. Hemoglobin 6. Mixing studies
1. Quantitative 7. Platelet function (e.g., PFA)
2. Qualitative 8. Inhibitor assays
a. Electrophoresis 9. Factor assays
b. HPLC 10. von Willebrand assays
c. Sickle solubility 11. Platelet aggregation
D. Hematocrit 12. Thromboelastography
E. Indices 13. Hypercoagulability assessment
F. Hemolytic Indicators (e.g., haptoglobin, LD) a. Assays (e.g., lupus anticoagulant,
G. Special Stains protein S, protein C, HIT studies)
1. Esterase b. Molecular (e.g., factor V Leiden,
2. Myeloperoxidase prothrombin 20210)
3. Prussian blue 14. Anti‐Xa
4. Kleihauer Betke 15. Direct thrombin inhibitors
H. Other Studies 16. Heparin neutralization
1. ESR
2. G6PD
3. Heinz body
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VALID ONLY FOR MLS(ASCP) AND MLS(ASCPi)
TESTING DATES BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2019
IMMUNOLOGY
(5 – 10% of total exam)
I. PRINCIPLES OF IMMUNOLOGY V. SEROLOGIC AND MOLECULAR PROCEDURES
A. Immune System Physiology A. ANA
1. Primary and secondary response B. Thyroid Antibodies
2. B and T cells, macrophages C. Rheumatoid Factor
3. Genetics D. Direct Detection Methods for Pathogens
B. Immunoglobulins E. Labeled Immunoassays (e.g., ELISA)
1. Classes and subclasses F. Nontreponemal Syphilis Testing (e.g., RPR)
2. Structure G. Treponemal Syphilis Testing (e.g., MHATP)
3. Biologic and physical properties H. Cytokine Testing
C. Antigen‐Antibody Interactions I. Target Amplification
1. Principles J. Nucleic Acid Sequencing
2. Testing K. Hybridization Techniques
a. Principles L. Other
b. Methods
D. Complement VI. TEST RESULTS
1. Classical and alternative pathway A. Interpretation
mechanisms B. Confirmatory Testing
2. Biologic properties C. Disease State Correlation
II. DISEASES OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
A. Autoimmunity MICROBIOLOGY
1. Systemic (e.g., SLE) (17 – 22% of total exam)
2. Organ‐specific (e.g., Graves disease) I. PREANALYTIC PROCEDURES
B. Hypersensitivity A. Specimen Collection and Transport
1. I, II, III, IV 1. Patient identification and specimen labeling
C. Immunoproliferative Diseases 2. Specimen collection
1. Monoclonal gammopathies (e.g., multiple 3. Specimen transport systems and conditions
myeloma, Waldenström for all organisms
macroglobulinemia) B. Specimen Processing
D. Immunodeficiency 1. Specimen prioritization and rejection
1. Hereditary (e.g., SCID) criteria
2. Acquired (e.g., HIV) 2. Biosafety cabinet and personal protective
equipment
III. TRANSPLANTATION 3. Specimen preparation methods and
A. Graft‐versus‐host Disease applications
B. HLA Typing 4. Media
C. Tumor Immunology 5. Inoculation of media
6. Incubation conditions (e.g., temperature,
IV. INFECTIOUS DISEASE SEROLOGY atmosphere, duration)
A. Clinical Significance and Epidemiology of Viral 7. Preparation methods for slides used for
Pathogens (e.g., hepatitis (A, B, C), EBV, HIV, stains
CMV, rubella, measles)
B. Stages of Infection of Treponema pallidum and
Borrelia burgdorferi
C. Tuberculosis Infection (e.g., interferon gamma
release assay, PPD)
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TESTING DATES BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2019
C. Stains: Procedure, Principle, and Interpretation 6. Organism pathogenicity (e.g., etiology,
1. Gram transmission, virulence mechanisms)
2. Acid‐fast C. Body Fluids from Normally Sterile Sites
3. Modified acid‐fast 1. Specimen sources (e.g., pleural, peritoneal,
4. KOH and calcofluor‐white pericardial, vitreous and aqueous humor,
5. Trichrome synovial, amniotic)
6. Giemsa 2. Indigenous organisms associated with
7. Acridine orange mucosal surfaces and skin
3. Colony morphology and identification of
II. ANALYTIC PROCEDURES FOR BACTERIOLOGY major pathogens (e.g., S. pneumoniae, H.
A. Blood and Bone Marrow influenzae, Neisseria spp., E. coli, Listeria
1. Specimen sources (e.g., peripheral, monocytogenes, Enterobacteriaceae, S.
intravenous catheters) aureus, beta‐hemolytic streptococci,
2. Continuous monitoring systems Enterococcus spp., Pseudomonas
3. Rapid identification/resistance detection aeruginosa, Acinetobacter, Clostridium
methods perfringens, Bacteroides fragilis group)
4. Species comprising skin flora and clinical 4. Molecular methods
significance 5. Organism pathogenicity (e.g., etiology,
5. Colony morphology and identification of transmission, virulence mechanisms)
major pathogens (e.g., Staphylococcus D. Lower Respiratory
aureus, coagulase‐negative staphylococci, 1. Specimen sources (e.g., sputum,
beta‐hemolytic streptococci, Enterococcus endotracheal aspirate, bronchoalveolar
spp., Candida spp., Streptococcus lavage, bronchial wash, bronchial brush)
pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, 2. Significance of quantitative and semi‐
Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp.) quantitative reporting of results
6. Common agents of endocarditis 3. Species comprising oral flora colony and
7. Agents of bone marrow infection (e.g., Gram stain morphology
Brucella spp., Salmonella spp.) 4. Colony morphology and identification of
8. Organism pathogenicity (e.g., etiology, major pathogens
transmission, virulence mechanisms) 5. Direct detection and molecular methods
B. Cerebrospinal Fluid (e.g., Streptococcus pyogenes, Bordetella
1. Specimen sources (e.g., lumbar puncture, pertussis)
shunt, reservoir) 6. Organism pathogenicity (e.g., etiology,
2. Colony morphology and identification of transmission, virulence mechanisms)
major pathogens associated with acute E. Upper Respiratory
meningitis (e.g., Streptococcus pneumoniae, 1. Specimen sources (e.g., throat,
Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria nasopharynx, middle ear, sinus)
meningitidis, Escherichia coli, Listeria 2. Indigenous flora colony and Gram stain
monocytogenes, Enterobacteriaceae, morphology
Staphylococcus aureus, beta‐hemolytic 3. Colony morphology and identification of
streptococci) major pathogens
3. Common agents of shunt infections (e.g., 4. Direct detection and molecular methods
coagulase‐negative staphylococci, (e.g., Streptococcus pyogenes, Bordetella
Corynebacterium spp., Propionibacterium pertussis)
spp.) 5. Organism pathogenicity (e.g., etiology,
4. Correlation with other lab results (e.g., transmission, virulence mechanisms)
glucose, protein, cell count)
5. Direct detection and molecular methods
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F. Gastrointestinal J. Identification Methods (Theory, Interpretation,
1. Colony morphology and identification of and Application)
major pathogens (e.g., Salmonella spp., 1. Colony morphology
Shigella spp., toxigenic E. coli, 2. Rapid tests used for presumptive
Campylobacter spp., Vibrio spp., Yersinia identification (e.g., coagulase, catalase,
enterocolitica, Aeromonas spp., oxidase, indole, PYR)
Plesiomonas shigelloides) 3. Conventional biochemical identification
2. Direct detection and molecular methods (e.g., TSI, decarboxylases, carbohydrate
(e.g., Clostridium difficile, Shiga toxin) utilization, motility, urease, XV factors)
3. Serotyping of E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella 4. Commercial kits
4. Organism pathogenicity (e.g., etiology, 5. Automated methods
transmission, virulence mechanisms) 6. MALDI‐TOF MS
5. Detection methods for Helicobacter pylori 7. Multiplex molecular methods
G. Skin, Soft Tissue, and Bone 8. Sequencing (e.g., 16S)
1. Specimen sources (e.g., wound, abscess, K. Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing and
biopsy) Antibiotic Resistance
2. Indigenous flora colony and Gram stain 1. Method, theory, interpretation, and
morphology application
3. Colony morphology and identification of 2. Phenotypic detection of resistance (e.g.,
major pathogens beta‐lactamase, ESBL, inducible clindamycin
4. Organism pathogenicity (e.g., etiology, resistance, carbapenamases)
transmission, virulence mechanisms) 3. Mechanisms of action of major antibiotic
H. Genital Tract classes
1. Specimen sources (e.g., vaginal, cervical, 4. Detection of genetic determinants of
urethral, endocervical) resistance (e.g., mecA, vanA, blaKPC)
2. Indigenous organisms colony and Gram 5. Intrinsic resistance patterns for common
stain morphology species
3. Methods for detection of pathogens L. MRSA/MSSA, VRE, ESBL/CRE Screening
associated with vaginitis (e.g., Trichomonas, 1. Specimen sources
Candida, bacterial vaginosis) 2. Culture methods
4. Culture and/or molecular detection (e.g., N. 3. Molecular methods
gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, Streptococcus M. BSL‐3 Pathogens and Select Agents
agalactiae, and Mycoplasma spp.) (Bioterrorism)
5. Organism pathogenicity (e.g., etiology, 1. Specimen source (e.g., blood, sputum,
transmission, virulence mechanisms) tissue, lymph node)
I. Urine 2. Colony morphology and rapid tests used for
1. Specimen source (e.g., mid‐stream clean presumptive identification (e.g., Bacillus
catch, catheterized, suprapubic, anthracis, Yersinia pestis, Brucella spp.,
nephrostomy) Francisella tularensis)
2. Colony morphology and identification of 3. Role of regional laboratory and Laboratory
major urinary pathogens (e.g., Response Network
Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcus, 4. Organism pathogenicity (e.g., etiology,
Streptococcus agalactiae, Candida spp., transmission, virulence mechanisms)
Staphylococcus saprophyticus)
3. Correlation of colony counts with clinical
significance
4. Correlation of culture with urinalysis results
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III. ANALYTIC PROCEDURES FOR MYCOLOGY, LABORATORY OPERATIONS
MYCOBACTERIOLOGY, PARASITOLOGY, AND (5 – 10% of total exam)
VIROLOGY I. QUALITY ASSESSMENT/TROUBLESHOOTING
A. Mycobacteriology and Nocardia spp. A. Pre‐analytical, Analytical, Post‐analytical
1. Specimen source (e.g., lower respiratory, B. Quality Control
blood, soft tissue) C. Point‐of‐care Testing (POCT)
2. Acid‐fast reaction, colony morphology and D. Compliance
growth characteristics E. Regulation (e.g., proficiency testing,
3. Identification methods (e.g., probes, competency assessment, accreditation
sequencing, MALDI‐TOF MS) standards)
4. Direct detection by molecular methods
5. Antimicrobial therapy II. SAFETY
6. Organism pathogenicity (e.g., etiology, A. Safety Programs and Practices
transmission, virulence mechanisms) 1. Prevention of infection with bloodborne
B. Virology pathogens
1. Specimen sources 2. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
2. Major pathogens and disease states (e.g., 3. Safe work practices
etiology, epidemiology, transmission) 4. Safety data sheets (SDS) for chemicals and
3. Direct detection of pathogens reagents
C. Parasitology B. Emergency Procedures (e.g., needlesticks,
1. Specimen source (e.g., stool, respiratory, splashes to mucous membranes, fire)
blood, tissue) C. Packaging and Transportation of Specimens and
2. Major pathogens and disease states (e.g., Microorganisms
etiology, epidemiology, transmission)
3. Microscopic and macroscopic identification III. LABORATORY MATHEMATICS
4. Direct and molecular detection A. Concentration, Volume, and Dilutions
D. Mycology B. Molarity, Normality
1. Specimen sources C. Standard Curves
2. Major pathogens and disease states (e.g., D. Mean, Median, Mode, and Confidence Intervals
etiology, epidemiology, transmission) E. Sensitivity, Specificity, and Predictive Value
3. Colony morphology and growth
characteristics of major pathogens (e.g., IV. MANUAL/AUTOMATED METHODOLOGY AND
temperature, growth rate, length of INSTRUMENTATION
incubation) A. Microscopy
4. Microscopic identification of major B. Centrifugation
pathogens C. Spectrophotometry and Photometry
5. Direct and molecular detection D. Mass Spectrometry
6. Other identification methods (e.g., E. Osmometry
biochemical, automated methods, MALDI‐ F. Electrophoresis
TOF MS) G. Chromatography
H. Electrochemistry
IV. POST‐ANALYTIC PROCEDURES I. Molecular Methods
A. Documentation Practices
J. Other Methods
B. Urgent and Critical Value Reporting
C. Result Review and Autoverification
D. Issuing Corrected Reports
E. Reporting to Infection Control/Prevention and
Public Health
ASCP BOC 33 West Monroe Street, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60603 | www.ascp.org/boc | Revised: August 2018 | Page 11 of 12
VALID ONLY FOR MLS(ASCP) AND MLS(ASCPi)
TESTING DATES BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2019
V. BASIC MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES
VI. EDUCATION PRINCIPLES
Examples provided (as indicated by e.g.) are not limited
to those listed.
You will need to bring a non‐programmable calculator
with log function to the examination.
END OF CONTENT GUIDELINE
ASCP BOC 33 West Monroe Street, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60603 | www.ascp.org/boc | Revised: August 2018 | Page 12 of 12