The Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program prepares students for employment as an MLT working in a clinical medical laboratory. Medical Laboratory Technicians perform a wide variety of routine laboratory procedures and work in both public and private laboratories serving the health care sector.

About the MLT Program

The MLT program is a two-year curriculum leading to the Associates in Science degree in Medical Laboratory Technician. Completion of pre-requisite courses will be required prior to entering the program. The program course of study is a combination of instruction in principles of laboratory theory and techniques as well as clinical experience at affiliated medical laboratories.

Students learn to perform routine laboratory procedures in phlebotomy, microbiology, clinical chemistry, hematology, coagulation, immunology, and urinalysis. They also will learn to operate and maintain clinical laboratory equipment.

Graduates of the program qualify for state licensure examination administered by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) Board of Certification to become state licensed medical laboratory technicians. Once licensed, MLTs can work in both private and public diagnostic laboratories, forensic labs, veterinary labs, and biomedical research laboratories.

Degrees and Certificates

View Classes in the Class Schedule

View Phlebotomy Classes in the Class Schedule

MLT Program Information

MLT Program Applicant Pre-Admission Requirements:

  • Earned at least a High School Diploma, HiSET, or a GED.
  • Be 18 years or older.
  • Possess a social security number or ITIN number to enable a background check.
  • Completion of the following prerequisite courses with a grade of "C" or better:
    • BIO 15 - Microbiology
    • BIO 113 - Human Anatomy and Physiology
    • CHEM 108 - Introduction to General, Organic, and Biochemistry
  • Successful completion of the following MLT courses with a grade “C” or better: 
    • MLT 210 - Introduction to the Clinical Laboratory Profession
    • MLT 211 - Basic Laboratory Procedures
    • MLT 230 - Clinical Chemistry
    • MLT 236 - Clinical Hematology & Coagulation
  • o    Current enrollment or successful completion of the following MLT courses with a grade “C” or better:
    • MLT 232 - Clinical Microbiology
    • MLT 235 - Clinical Urinalysis
    • MLT 243 - Clinical Immunology – Immunohematology

NOTE: Students may apply to the MLT Program while enrolled in these courses. Indicate on the application that these courses are IP (in progress) and will be completed by the end of the Spring semester for the academic year that they intend to apply.

We encourage all students interested in applying to the MLT program, to make an appointment with counselor, Elizabeth Weiss, ahead of time to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements to apply. Schedule an appointment with Counseling by calling (949) 582-4572. 

Information Sessions

Next Information Sessions Date: TBA

Application Dates

For a Clinical Training Start Date of:

Summer 2025 

  • February 1st - March 15th 
  • NOTE: Students must already possess a valid CPT-1 license.

Fall 2025

  • March 1st - April 15th

Students must apply during the application window using the Submittable MLT Application.

Students apply to the MLT Program during the Spring semester. Any in progress classes (IP) are indicated on the application. All courses must be completed by the end of the Spring semester for Fall entry into the program.

We encourage all students interested in applying to the MLT program, to make an appointment with counselor, Elizabeth Weiss, ahead of time to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements to apply. Schedule an appointment with Counseling by calling (949) 582-4572.

MLT applications are accepted once a year during the Spring semester for Fall entry. Students must apply during the application window using the Submittable MLT Application link. Students should apply when they are ready to begin their clinical training.

A Saddleback College student ID is required to fill out the MLT program application.

  1. If you are not a student at Saddleback College or IVC, complete an application online. Click here to apply for admission to Saddleback College. 
  2. Submit official transcripts to Admissions and Records for coursework completed at another regionally accredited college/university. This includes high school AP scores being used for course credit. International transcripts must be evaluated by an acceptable third party: https://www.naces.org/member. 
  3. Meet with a counselor to:
    • Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements to apply for the MLT program.
    • Discuss the courses you may need to take to earn a Certificate of Completion or the Associate of Science (A.S.) Degree in Medical Laboratory Technician.
    • Verify course equivalencies for any relevant coursework taken outside of Saddleback College, and file petitions for any course substitutions or waivers.
    • Schedule an appointment with Elizabeth Weiss in the Counseling Office by calling (949) 582-4572.
  4. Set up a Submittable account and complete the online application during the application window. Application related communications will be sent via Submittable, so check emails regularly.
    • The number of students admitted to MLT Program is related to the number of available clinical training sites. Students will be placed at one of Saddleback College’s contracted clinical facilities. 
    • To participate in clinical training, students will be expected to obtain the required clearances for both Saddleback College and the training site.

What to Expect Once Invited Into the MLT Program

Once invited into the program, the student must accept or decline admission during the required response time as indicated in the acceptance email.

Students are expected to abide by the program requirements as stated on page 14 of the MLT Program Handbook.

Students enrolling in MLT 242, MLT 244, MLT 252, and MLT 253 are required to obtain the following clearances before participation in the Clinical Training Experience. Any findings may affect the student’s ability to progress through or complete the program. 

Students must complete the clearance process by:

  • July 9th - due date to submit all required documents to the Student Health Center
  • July 15th - deadline to submit all required documents to CastleBranch


Students are required to register with Castlebranch and purchase the CastleBranch (CB) Compliance Tracker by June 10th. Click on this link to go to the CastleBranch portal.

  • Please select “Medical Laboratory Technician” from the menu.
  • Enter package code: SJ35

 

  • Mandatory Health Assessment Requirements
    • Verified by the Student Health Center
    • Students will be required to obtain the following titers/immunizations/vaccines:
      • Measles
      • Mumps
      • Rubella
      • Varicella
      • TDAP
      • Hepatitis B
      • TB Skin test
      • COVID-19 (full immunity)
      • Annual Physical
      • Annual Seasonal Flu shot
  • Physical Advisory Statement and Instructions
  • Background Check / Drug Screening 
    • Students are required to use CastleBranch for the background check and drug screen.
  • Professional Behaviors Release
  • Liability Insurance - HPSO
    • Select “Get a quote”
    • Select “Student”
    • At the drop down program menu, type in “Medical Laboratory Technician”
  • FERPA Release 
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) Card: 
    • Must be through the American Heart Association (No other Providers). 
    • We offer a class at Saddleback College titled HSC 222- Basic Life Support/CPR for Health Care Providers. 
    • You may also take it at a 3rd party site. We suggest lifelinecpr.com.
  • Medical Insurance
     
Tuition, Fees, and Program Costs
DescriptionCost
Tuition at $46 per unit (CA resident)$2,300
Books (Average $100 per course)$1,600
Health Fee ($25 per semester x 5)$130
Uniform: Shoes, Lab Coat, Etc. (approximately)$150
Professional Practice Experience (PPE) Expenses
Medical Clearance and Immunizations$150
Student Medical Liability Insurance$28
Background Investigation, Drug Test, and Tracker$128
CPR (BLS) $60
Total (estimated) Program Costs$4,546
Exam Application and License Fees
DescriptionCost
California MLT Exam Application Fee$225
California MLT License Fee$230
Medical Laboratory Technician Road Map
Course Title Units
  MLT Program Prerequisite Courses*  
BIO 15 General Microbiology (prereq for General Microbiology is either BIO 20: Intro to Bio, or 1 year of High School Biology <"C") 5
BIO 113 Human Anatomy and Physiology 4
CHEM 108 Introduction to General, Organic, and Biochemistry 4
  Semester 1 - Fall  
MLT 210 Introduction to the Clinical Laboratory Profession 1
MLT 211 Basic Laboratory Procedures 1
MLT 230 Clinical Chemistry (CHEM 108 or equivalent) 5
MLT 236 Clinical Hematology and Coagulation (CHEM 108 or equivalent) Clinical Hematology and Coagulation (BIO 113 or equivalent) 3
  Semester 2 - Spring  
MLT 232 Clinical Microbiology (BIO 15 or equivalent) 3
MLT 235 Clinical Urinalysis (BIO 113 or equivalent) 1
MLT 243 Clinical Immunology - Immunohematology (MLT 236) 3
  Apply to MLT Program during the last month of Semester 2 - Spring. Students must be officially admitted to the MLT Program to proceed to Semester 3 - Summer, Semester 4 - Fall, Semester 5 - Spring.  
  Semester 3 - Summer   
PHLB 240 Phlebotomy 4
CWE 180 Cooperative Work Experience - Phlebotomy (120 hours) 2
  Semester 4 - Fall   
  Limitations: Completion of all required didactic courses and acceptance into a clinical site. Prerequisite (see below) and official admission into the MLT program.  
MLT 242 Clinical Chemistry Practicum (200 hours) (Prereq MLT 230) 4
MLT 244 Clinical Hematology, Coagulation & Urinalysis Practicum (200 hours)  4
  Semester 5 - Spring  
  Limitations: Completion of all required didactic courses and acceptance into a clinical site. Prerequisite (see below) and official admission into the MLT Program  
MLT 252 Clinical Microbiology Practicum (200 hours) (prereq MLT 232) 4
MLT 253 Clinical Immunology - Immunohematology Practicum (160 hours) (prereq MLT 236; MLT 243) 3

2023-2024 Estimated Cost of Attendance

The estimated cost of attendance at Saddleback College includes an estimate for tuition and fees, books
and supplies as well as basic living expenses like food and housing, and personal and miscellaneous
expenses. Your actual expenses may be higher or lower than the amounts listed below.

Expenses Living With Parents (2 Semesters) Living Away from Parents (2 semesters)
Tuition & Fees $1,426 $1,426
Books & Supplies $938 $938
Living Expenses: Food & Housing $12,656 $22,670
Personal & Misc. $3,608 $4,428
Transportation $1,612 $1,764
Total Resident $20,240 $31,226
Total Non-Resident $32,540 $43,526
Expenses Living with Parents Living Away from Parents
Tuition & Fees $709 $709
Books & Supplies $312 $312
Living Expenses: Food & Housing $4,218 $7,557
Personal & Misc. $1,203 $1,476
Transportation $537 $588
Total Resident $6,979 $10,642
Total Non-Resident $13,129 $16,792
Expenses Living With Parents Living Away from Parents
  Summer Fall & Spring Summer Fall & Spring
Tuition & Fees $1,426 $709 $1,426 $709
Books & Supplies $938 $312 $938 $312
Transportation $1,612 $537 $1,764 $588
Total Resident $3,976 $1,558 $4,128 $1,609
Total Non-Resident $16,275 $7,708 $16,428 $7,759
  • Enrollment Fee: $46 per unit
    • Based on 15-units for Fall, Spring and Summer
  • Health Fee $26 for Fall and Spring, $22 for Summer
  • Non-Resident Tuition (in addition to the $46 per unit enrollment fee): $410 per unit ($365 non-resident tuition fee + $45 capital outlay fee)
  • Estimated cost of attendance may be adjusted for documented circumstances such as dependent care expenses, purchase of a computer, and other special circumstances (except for students enrolled less than half-time)

Optional fees

  • ASG Sticker - $10
  • Student Representation Fee - $2.00 (per semester)
  • Parking Permit Fee
  • Instructional Material Fees - as listed in the Schedule of Classes

Contact the Medical Lab Technician Department