How to Become a Biomedical Laboratory Practitioner

1. Earn a Bachelor's Degree (4 Years)

Due to the varied nature of public health, most science-intensive undergraduate programs will be sufficient for entering the field.

Aspiring students should choose an area of the sciences that they are most interested in and tailor their education from a public health perspective.

The preparation timeline below outlines the suggested courses:

Grade Level	Example Courses
Freshman	General Chemistry I & Lab General Chemistry II & Lab Molecular Biology I & Lab College Algebra & Statistics Calculus I Humanities Requirements Electives
Sophomore	Clinical Lab Principles Organic Chemistry I Organic Chemistry II Physics I Physics II Statistical Methods Diseases Humanities Requirements Electives
Junior	Clinical Immunology Transfuse & Transplant Medicine Intro to Heme/Coag/Urinanalysis Molecular Lab Diagnostics Clinical Chemistry Analysis Biochemistry I Microbiology I Electives
Senior	Medical Microbiology Clinical Chemistry Eukaryotic Pathogens Advanced Heme/Coag/Urinanalysis Humanities Requirements Electives

2. Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) or Graduate Requisite Exam (GRE)

To be admitted into medical school, candidates must first take the MCAT, or Medical College Admission Test, a 7.5 hour, standardized, multiple choice exam used to assess the applicant's knowledge of science, reasoning, communication, and writing skills.

The MCAT is divided into four sections:

Section	Section Breakdown
Biological & Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems	59 multiple-choice questions 95 minutes Tests biology, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and biochemistry
Chemical & Physical Foundations of Biological Systems	59 multiple-choice questions 95 minutes Tests biochemistry, biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics
Psychological, Social, & Biological Foundations of Behavior	59 multiple-choice questions 95 minutes Tests introductory psychology, sociology, and biology
Critical Analysis & Reasoning Skills	52 multiple-choice questions 90 minutes Tess reading comprehension, humanities, and social sciences

You can find study materials, MCAT registration, and your test scores on the AAMC website.

3. Gain Relevant Experience

Since biomedical and laboratory practice encompasses so many individual jobs, its important to find relevant experience in the field you're wanting to become a professional in.

If you cannot get experience working directly in your field, look for opportunities in your area doing internships, working in lower positions in a hospital or clinic, or any other avenue of gaining experience. If you know someone in the field, even better.

4. Earn a Master's Degree (2 Years)

A master’s degree in public health is required. One of the following five courses of the five core public health areas must be taken while completing a graduate degree:

Behavioral sciences
Biostatistics
Environmental health
Epidemiology
Health Services Administration

Courses in addition to these are required to complete a master’s degree in public health. Recognized schools in this field can be found in the website of the Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health. For a complete list of accredited schools and programs, visit the website of Council on Education for Public Health.

5. Maintain Certification Through Continuing Education

Depending on your area of expertise, there are certifications that must be maintained through continuing education that's designed to keep you on the forefront of current medical knowledge and practices. Certifications have different CE requirements that vary wildly.