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Medical Laboratory Technician

Overview

The medical laboratory technician (MLT) program at Folsom Lake College is designed to prepare students to qualify for and pass the National Medical Laboratory Technician Licensing exam. The Folsom Lake College MLT program is accredited by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Laboratory Field Services (LFS), and the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). For more information, FAQ's and to apply, please visit our medical laboratory technician department website.

Degrees and Certificates Offered

  • A.S. in Medical Laboratory Technician
  • Pre-Clinical Laboratory Scientist Trainee Certificate

Associate Degree

A.S. in Medical Laboratory Technician

The Medical Laboratory Technician Program and Degree aim to produce highly skilled individuals who pass the national licensing exam and remain committed to ethical and professional standards in healthcare. Graduates will exhibit core values such as accountability, dedication, work ethic, and trust. The program includes didactic, laboratory, and practicum components to help students achieve their educational and career goals. It prepares students for careers in clinical laboratories, industry, and biotechnology, where they may work as Medical Laboratory Technicians, Laboratory Assistants, or Research Technicians. The curriculum integrates foundational concepts, technical procedures, and laboratory exercises before practical experience. Practicum courses take place at affiliate sites, providing hands-on experience in the responsibilities of a Medical Laboratory Technician. The program ensures students master the competencies, skills, and knowledge required for the profession, including laboratory procedures in chemistry, urinalysis, phlebotomy, hematology, coagulation, microbiology, immunohematology, and immunology. These procedures are essential for maintaining health and diagnosing or treating disease. Coursework emphasizes mathematical and scientific concepts related to specimen collection, laboratory testing, quality assurance, and reporting/interpreting findings from tissues, blood, and body fluids. The program also stresses the importance of professional standards and ethical obligations in healthcare. Each part of the curriculum fosters professional competence, personal growth, and effective patient care. Students must purchase personal protective equipment and minor supplies, including safety glasses, disposable gloves, and glass slides. Access to a computer and printer is also required. Additionally, students must purchase their portion of the college’s liability insurance and undergo a background and drug screening. Immunization documentation (e.g., MMR, Varicella, Tdap, Hepatitis B, Influenza), and a negative tuberculosis test are mandatory, as students will handle blood and body fluid specimens. Health insurance is strongly advised. More information and a full cost breakdown can be found at https://flc.losrios.edu/academics/medical-technology-and-pre-clinical-laboratory-science-department.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Degree Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
MEDTEC 310 Introduction to Medical Laboratory Techniques and Skin Punctures 2
MEDTEC 323 Clinical Chemistry 5
MEDTEC 324 Urine and Body Fluid Analysis 2
MEDTEC 330 Hematology 5
MEDTEC 340 Immunology and Immunohematology 5
MEDTEC 350 Clinical Microbiology 5
MEDTEC 360 Chemistry and Urinalysis Practicum 4
MEDTEC 361 Hematology and Hemostasis Practicum 4
MEDTEC 362 Immunology and Immunohematology Practicum 4
MEDTEC 363 Microbiology Practicum 4
A minimum of 0 units from the following: 01
MEDTEC 311 Advanced Phlebotomy Venipuncture Skills (2)
MEDTEC 312 Phlebotomy Clinical Internship (2)
Total Units: 40

1Students that hold a valid and current California Phlebotomist certificate (CPT-1) are not required to take MEDTEC 311 or MEDTEC 312 while participating in the Medical Laboratory Technician Program. Per the State of California, students without a valid and current CPT-1 certificate are required to take MEDTEC 311 and MEDTEC 312 as part of their Medical Laboratory Technician training.

The Medical Laboratory Technician Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, and either (a) the Local General Education Pattern or (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC), plus sufficient electives for a total of at least 60 units. See FLC graduation requirements.

Enrollment Eligibility

To be eligible for enrollment in the program, the student must meet the following criteria:

  • Complete the application process for enrollment in the MLT program.
  • Beginning in 2026, all applicants must possess a valid MLT Trainee License issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Laboratory Field Services. More information on obtaining a MLT Trainee License can be found here: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OSPHLD/LFS/Pages/ClinicalLaboratoryPersonnel.aspx
  • Acceptance into the MLT program and completion of all of the following eligibility criteria with a grade of “C” or better. All science prerequisites must be completed at the time of application. Up to two (2) non-science prerequisites can be in-progress during the application period. The in-progress courses must conclude prior to the start of the MLT program.
  • CHEM 400 - General Chemistry I, or CHEM 420 - Organic Chemistry I
  • CHEM 401 - General Chemistry II, or CHEM 421 - Organic Chemistry II
  • BIOL 400 - Principles of Biology, or BIOL 430 & 431 -Anatomy and Physiology (Both courses must be completed).
  • BIOL440 - General Microbiology, or BIOL442 - General Microbiology and Public Health
  • STAT 300 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics, or PSYC 330 - Introductory Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences, or ECON 310 - Statistics for Business and Economics
  • COMM 321 - Interpersonal Communication (preferred), or any other 3-unit communication course.
  • AH 311 - Medical Language for Health-Care Providers, or licensure/certification in a medically-related field (e.g. Phlebotomist, Radiology Technician, Respiratory Therapist, Pharmacy Technician, Nurse), or graduation from an Allied Health Program or Degree; subject to approval by the MLT Program Director.
  • Students may take General Education requirements concurrently with prerequisite courses and during the didactic portion of the MLT Program. During the practicum portion of the MLT Program students are required to intern at their clinical site for 40 hours per week. As such, enrolling in additional courses can only occur outside of these assigned hours. The above also applies to students who are employed and work hours outside of the MLT Program. No exceptions will be made, which result in missed MLT Program hours, for students who need to commit hours to their employer or any other outside entity.
  • In order to qualify to sit for the national licensing exam and acquire California MLT licensure, students must complete 60 semester units, 36 of which must be in physical or biological sciences. While the MLT program and its prerequisite courses typically meet this requirement for most students, it is ultimately the student's responsibility to ensure they have the appropriate semester units for MLT licensure.
  • It is the student's responsibility to ensure they have met all state and national licensure requirements including but not limited to: possession of a valid social security number, appropriate semester units, and post-graduation licensure fees. More information can be found at https://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/osphld/lfs/pages/mlt.aspx and https://www.ascp.org/content/board-of-certification.
  • Students need not hold a certificate in phlebotomy to apply to the MLT program at FLC. Those who do not already have a phlebotomy certificate will be trained in phlebotomy per the standards set forth in the California Administration Code Title 17 1035.3. Students already in possession of a valid California Certified Phlebotomy Technician certification (CPT-1) will need not enroll in the phlebotomy courses, MEDTEC 311 and 312.

Enrollment Process

Eligible students are selected for the program according to the following steps:

  • Applications to the program may be obtained online at: https://flc.losrios.edu/academics/medical-technology-and-pre-clinical-laboratory-science-department/apply-to-the-mlt-program.
  • Only students who meet the pre-enrollment requirements and follow the pre-enrollment procedures, including a pre-application meeting with Counseling Services, will be considered for the MLT Program. Meeting all these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
  • Selection is based on a computerized random selection process from a qualified applicant pool.
  • The students accepted into the MLT Program must fulfill all requirements set forth by the MLT Student Guidelines including but not limited to: background clearance, physical examination, immunization clearance, and drug screening. The student is responsible for any cost incurred related to meeting the requirements.
  • Students who are not accepted into the MLT Program must reapply to the program at its next offering. There is no waitlist for the MLT Program.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • pass the nationally recognized certification examination.
  • apply appropriate quality control procedures and recognize and interpret erroneous results for any applicable medium-complexity laboratory testing process.
  • describe the principles, the clinical significance, and critical values of applicable medium-complexity clinical laboratory test results.
  • demonstrate safe use and disposal of biohazardous materials, and the proper methods of specimen preparation.
  • assess sample quality and cite any pre-analytical variables in testing.
  • demonstrate successful venipunctures and skin punctures on patients from a variety of age groups with a variety of medical conditions.
  • exhibit professional and committed delivery of excellent health care.

Career Information

The Medical Laboratory Technician is an entry-level position in the healthcare industry with a current (2025) approximate starting wage range of $29.00-$46.00 hourly. The role of the Medical Laboratory Technician is to perform routine laboratory analyses that are involved in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. With increasing reliance on computer technology, the role of the medical laboratory technician has become less hands-on and more analytical. The Medical Laboratory Technician will be an entry-level position for the healthcare industry and/or a transfer opportunity to schools offering a B.S. in Medical Technology.

Certificate of Achievement

Pre-Clinical Laboratory Scientist Trainee Certificate

The Pre-Clinical Laboratory Scientist Trainee certificate aims to guide individuals who are hoping to become a licensed Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) in the State of California. As part of this process, individuals must obtain a CLS Trainee license from the California Department of Public Health Department of Laboratory Field Services (CDPH-LFS) before enrolling in a CLS Program. The CLS Trainee license has several prerequisite courses that this certificate, and its prerequisite courses, aim to satisfy. To be clear, the Pre-Clinical Laboratory Scientist Trainee certificate is not a CLS program, nor does it allow graduates to work in the clinical laboratory upon graduation. Instead, this certificate provides a clear path for individuals interested in pursuing entry into a CLS program. The Pre-Clinical Laboratory Scientist Trainee certificate does not grant entry into any CLS Program. Students interested in CLS must apply to CLS programs separately and comply with each program’s individual requirements. Furthermore, in order to receive a CLS Trainee License from the State of California, students are required to submit an application to the California Department of Public Health. More information on this process can be on the MLT Department webpage: https://www.flc.losrios.edu/academics/medical-technology-department. The required didactic curriculum prepares individuals to perform basic clinical laboratory procedures in chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunohematology, and immunology. Course work emphasizes mathematical and scientific concepts related to specimen collection, laboratory testing and procedures, quality assurance and reporting/recording and interpreting findings involving tissues, blood, and body fluids. Purchase of personal protective equipment and minor class supplies including, but not limited to: safety glasses, disposable gloves, and glass slides, is required. Access to a computer and printer is also required. Students are further advised to ensure all their immunizations are current as blood and body fluids are utilized. Immunizations include, but are not limited to: Hepatitis B, Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), Varicella Zoster, Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap), and Influenza.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Certificate Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
MEDTEC 323 Clinical Chemistry 5
MEDTEC 324 Urine and Body Fluid Analysis 2
MEDTEC 330 Hematology 5
MEDTEC 340 Immunology and Immunohematology 5
MEDTEC 350 Clinical Microbiology 5
Total Units: 22

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • apply appropriate quality control procedures and recognize and interpret erroneous results in the laboratory testing process.
  • describe the principles, the clinical significance, and critical values of clinical laboratory test results.
  • demonstrate safe use and disposal of biohazardous materials, and the proper methods of specimen preparation.

Medical Technology (MEDTEC) Courses

MEDTEC 310 Introduction to Medical Laboratory Techniques and Skin Punctures

  • Units:2
  • Hours:27 hours LEC; 27 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:AH 311 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Enrollment Limitation:Due to the course's involvement with blood and body fluids, as well as licensure restrictions, students must be at least 18 years old to enroll in this course.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course introduces concepts in clinical laboratory medicine including: quality control, analytical errors, laboratory math, specimen collection, safety, professionalism, and ethics. Students also utilize laboratory equipment and perform skin punctures on other students. Purchase of personal protective equipment and minor class supplies including, but not limited to: safety glasses, disposable gloves, and glass slides, is required. Students are further advised to ensure all their immunizations are current as blood and body fluids are utilized. Immunizations include, but are not limited to: Hepatitis B, Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), Varicella Zoster, Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap), and Influenza.

MEDTEC 311 Advanced Phlebotomy Venipuncture Skills

  • Units:2
  • Hours:21 hours LEC; 45 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:MEDTEC 310 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Enrollment Limitation:Students must be admitted to the Medical Laboratory Technician Program at Folsom Lake College. Students must also provide documentation of Hepatitis B vaccination status before beginning this class, as students will be handling blood and body fluid specimens in all class sessions. Students are also required to purchase their portion of the college's liability insurance policy.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides didactic instruction in Advanced Phlebotomy procedures as required by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) regulations. Students learn to perform a venipuncture (the penetration of a vein with a needle to withdraw blood for therapeutic or clinical laboratory testing) on other students using the three available systems. Students may be required to attend a field trip and provide their own transportation. Purchase of personal protective equipment, including a lab coat, safety glasses, and disposable gloves is required. Students are further advised to ensure all their immunizations are current as blood and body fluids are utilized. Immunizations include, but are not limited to: Hepatitis B, Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), Varicella Zoster, Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap), and Influenza.

MEDTEC 312 Phlebotomy Clinical Internship

  • Units:2
  • Hours:9 hours LEC; 81 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:MEDTEC 311 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Enrollment Limitation:Students must be admitted to the Medical Laboratory Technician Program and have met all requirements for entry including, but not limited to: passing all drug, background, and immunology screening requirements, paying their portion of the college’s liability insurance policy, and obtaining personal health insurance.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides a clinical laboratory experience in the phlebotomy department of a health care organization. The clinical internship is conducted as a non-paid laboratory experience and the student is required to attend the facility for the minimum required hours. Students will perform at least 50 venipuncture procedures on patients from a variety of age groups and medical conditions. Emphasis will be placed on safety, specimen quality, and proper venipuncture technique. Purchase of personal protective equipment, including a lab coat, safety glasses, and disposable gloves, is required. Students will also be required to provide their own transportation to the partner health care facility which may be outside of the Sacramento region.

MEDTEC 323 Clinical Chemistry

  • Units:5
  • Hours:63 hours LEC; 81 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:CHEM 401 or 421 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Advisory:PSYC 330 or STAT C1000 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course introduces students to mathematical applications in the clinical laboratory, especially as applied to quality assurance, quality control and reporting of results. Also covered is the basic biochemistry of metabolism, including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and electrolytes, and the instrumentation used for their measurement. The study of endocrinology, enzyme function, therapeutic drugs, and blood gases will also be covered. Discussion topics will be correlated with applications in human medicine.Purchase of personal protective equipment, including safety glasses and disposable gloves, is required. Students are further advised to ensure all their immunizations are current as blood and body fluids are utilized. Immunizations include, but are not limited to: Hepatitis B, Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), Varicella Zoster, Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap), and Influenza.

MEDTEC 324 Urine and Body Fluid Analysis

  • Units:2
  • Hours:20 hours LEC; 48 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:BIOL 400 or 440 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Advisory:MEDTEC 323
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

An introduction to the study of urine and body fluid analysis. Includes the anatomy and physiology of the kidney, physical, chemical and microscopic examination of urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and other body fluids as well as quality control, quality assurance and safety. Also covered is the metabolism resulting in these body fluids and the associated abnormalities and their applications in human medicine. Purchase of personal protective equipment, including safety glasses and disposable gloves, is required. Students are further advised to ensure all their immunizations are current as blood and body fluids are utilized. Immunizations include, but are not limited to: Hepatitis B, Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), Varicella Zoster, Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap), and Influenza.

MEDTEC 325 Molecular Methods in Medical Laboratory Technology

  • Units:2
  • Hours:20 hours LEC; 48 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:BIOL 400 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

Introduces the principles and application of molecular diagnostics in the clinical laboratory. Purchase of personal protective equipment, including safety glasses and disposable gloves, is required. Students are further advised to ensure all their immunizations are current as blood and body fluids are utilized. Immunizations include, but are not limited to: Hepatitis B, Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), Varicella Zoster, Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap), and Influenza.

MEDTEC 330 Hematology

  • Units:5
  • Hours:63 hours LEC; 81 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:BIOL 400 or 440 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Advisory:CHEM 401 or 421 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides an overview of human blood cell development and function. Hematological disorders and corresponding laboratory findings will also be addressed. Purchase of personal protective equipment, including safety glasses and disposable gloves, is required. Students are further advised to ensure all their immunizations are current as blood and body fluids are utilized. Immunizations include, but are not limited to: Hepatitis B, Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), Varicella Zoster, Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap), and Influenza.

MEDTEC 340 Immunology and Immunohematology

  • Units:5
  • Hours:63 hours LEC; 81 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:CHEM 401 or 421 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Advisory:MEDTEC 330 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course introduces the principles of the immune response, including cells and function of the immune system as well as antibody and antigen reactions. Blood grouping, compatibility testing, transfusion medicine, immunological and serological testing procedures are also discussed.Purchase of personal protective equipment, including safety glasses and disposable gloves, is required. Students are further advised to ensure all their immunizations are current as blood and body fluids are utilized. Immunizations include, but are not limited to: Hepatitis B, Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), Varicella Zoster, Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap), and Influenza.

MEDTEC 350 Clinical Microbiology

  • Units:5
  • Hours:63 hours LEC; 81 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:BIOL 400 or 440 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Advisory:CHEM 401 or 421
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course discusses pathogenic bacteria, fungi and parasites. Emphasis is placed on morphology and identification of medically important organisms and techniques used in their identification. Purchase of personal protective equipment and minor class supplies including, but not limited to: safety glasses, disposable gloves, and glass slides, is required. Students are further advised to ensure all their immunizations are current as blood and body fluids are utilized. Immunizations include, but are not limited to: Hepatitis B, Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), Varicella Zoster, Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap), and Influenza.

MEDTEC 360 Chemistry and Urinalysis Practicum

  • Units:4
  • Hours:216 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:MEDTEC 323 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Enrollment Limitation:Students must be admitted to the Medical Laboratory Technician Program and have met all requirements for entry including, but not limited to: passing all drug, background, and immunology screening requirements, paying their portion of the college’s liability insurance policy, and obtaining personal health insurance.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides a clinical laboratory experience in the chemistry department of a health care organization. Instrumentation and manual methods will be introduced. The clinical internship is conducted as a non-paid laboratory experience and the student is required to attend the facility for the minimum required hours. Emphasis will be placed on technique, accuracy and precision as well as quality control, bio-marker significance, and urinalysis procedures. Purchase of personal protective equipment, including a lab coat, safety glasses, and disposable gloves, is required. Students will also be required to provide their own transportation to the partner health care facility which may be outside of the Sacramento region.

MEDTEC 361 Hematology and Hemostasis Practicum

  • Units:4
  • Hours:216 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:MEDTEC 330 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Enrollment Limitation:Students must be admitted to the Medical Laboratory Technician Program and have met all requirements for entry including, but not limited to: passing all drug, background, and immunology screening requirements, paying their portion of the college’s liability insurance policy, and obtaining personal health insurance.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides a clinical laboratory experience in the hematology department of a health care organization. Instrumentation and manual methods will be introduced. The clinical internship is conducted as a non-paid laboratory experience and the student is required to attend the facility for the minimum required hours. Emphasis will be placed on technique, accuracy and precision as well as blood cell differentiation, blood cell indices, and coagulation procedures. Purchase of personal protective equipment, including a lab coat, safety glasses, and disposable gloves, is required. Students will also be required to provide their own transportation to the partner health care facility which may be outside of the Sacramento region.

MEDTEC 362 Immunology and Immunohematology Practicum

  • Units:4
  • Hours:216 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:MEDTEC 340 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Enrollment Limitation:Students must be admitted to the Medical Laboratory Technician Program and have met all requirements for entry including, but not limited to: passing all drug, background, and immunology screening requirements, paying their portion of the college’s liability insurance policy, and obtaining personal health insurance.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides a clinical laboratory experience in the immunology/immunohematology department of a health care organization. Instrumentation and manual methods will be introduced. The clinical internship is conducted as a non-paid laboratory experience and the student is required to attend the facility for the minimum required hours. Emphasis will be placed on technique, accuracy and precision as well as specimen receipt and evaluation, special handling procedures, and component processing in the transfusion service. Purchase of personal protective equipment, including a lab coat, safety glasses, and disposable gloves, is required. Students will also be required to provide their own transportation to the partner health care facility which may be outside of the Sacramento region.

MEDTEC 363 Microbiology Practicum

  • Units:4
  • Hours:216 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:MEDTEC 350 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Enrollment Limitation:Students must be admitted to the Medical Laboratory Technician Program and have met all requirements for entry including, but not limited to: passing all drug, background, and immunology screening requirements, paying their portion of the college’s liability insurance policy, and obtaining personal health insurance.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides a clinical laboratory experience in the Microbiology department of a health care organization. Instrumentation and manual methods will be introduced. The clinical internship is conducted as a non-paid laboratory experience and the student is required to attend the facility for the minimum required hours. Emphasis will be placed on technique, accuracy and precision as well as specimen evaluation, organism identification, and susceptibility testing. Purchase of personal protective equipment, including a lab coat, safety glasses, and disposable gloves, is required. Students will also be required to provide their own transportation to the partner health care facility which may be outside of the Sacramento region.

MEDTEC 495 Independent Studies in Medical Technology

  • Units:1 - 3
  • Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

To be written at the time this course is applied.

MEDTEC 499 Experimental Offering in Medical Technology

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

To be written when this course is to be offered.

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