Please know that being ASCP certified as MLS does NOT automatically get you licensed as such by the state of NY . Even if you got your ASCP certification , you ' d still be just an MLT in the eyes of the state . You must make the strict education requirements set by the state as well . I have a bachelor ' s in biology and then did an associates in MLT thinking that I would be eligible after 2 years to become licensed as an MLS by the state . Surprise , that wasn ' t true , even after making a lot of phone calls to everyone I possibly could at the Office of the Professions . You need either a 4 year degree in MLS or a 4 year degree in related sciences PLUS an advanced certificate , which last time I looked into it , the only schools in NY offering the certificate were in the NYC area . I don ' t know enough about the advanced certificates to understand why they qualify for MLS licensing while my associates degree didn ' t . NYS rules are complicated and I think in some ways very unfair , especially considering how bad the staffing crisis is around my area . I just really want to drive the point home to you that even if you qualify for ASCP certification , you don ' t automatically qualify for NYS license . If you think you will , you will end up frustrated and angry like me Contact someone at the office of the professions to really make sure you understand the rules . I thought I did . and now I get paid 23 what my MLS coworkers do while performing the same exact tasks just because the state said I can only be an MLT . Good luck .