Studies & Degrees in Medical Technology
Medical technology is the health profession that produces the laboratory and diagnostic information doctors rely on. In the United States the term has largely been replaced by medical laboratory science or clinical laboratory science: the US Bureau of Labor Statistics describes clinical laboratory technologists, also known as medical laboratory scientists, as the staff who perform medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. In Latin America, Tecnología Médica is a broader university degree that also covers areas such as radiology and rehabilitation.
Students learn to test and analyse body fluids and tissue samples, to operate and check laboratory equipment and to judge whether a result is reliable. Bachelor's programmes include courses in chemistry, biology and haematology, together with laboratory skills such as safety procedures and laboratory management. Hands-on training in a hospital or other clinical setting is a standard part of accredited programmes.
Qualifications and levels
- Bachelor's degree. In the United States, technologists typically earn a bachelor's degree in medical technology or a related life science. At the University of Washington, for example, the Medical Laboratory Science programme is a full-time, four-year course divided into a pre-professional phase and a professional phase, and leads to a Bachelor of Science.
- Associate degree. Laboratory technicians sometimes qualify for jobs with a two-year associate degree, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Master's degree. Some universities offer a graduate route for people who already hold a degree. The University of Alabama at Birmingham teaches an M.S. in Medical Laboratory Science and presents it as a way to move into the profession from research, education or another area of healthcare.
- Five-year professional degrees in Latin America. At the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos in Peru, Tecnología Médica consists of one year of general studies, three years of academic studies and a one-year internship, and leads to the professional title of Licenciado en Tecnología Médica. At the Universidad Diego Portales in Chile, the degree with the specialisation in clinical bioanalysis and transfusion medicine lasts 10 semesters.
In the United States, programmes are accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Graduates of an accredited programme such as the one at the University of Alabama at Birmingham can apply for the certification examination of the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification. Some states also require laboratory personnel to be licensed or registered, and requirements vary by state.
Where to study it
SpainExchange lists 24 active schools for this subject. Sixteen are in the United States, two are in Russia, and there is one each in Spain, Australia, Argentina, Peru, Chile and Germany.
In the United States the subject is taught in English, in bachelor's programmes at universities and, at technician level, in associate degree programmes. Some programmes have their own application on top of admission to the university; at the University of Washington, for instance, applications to the Medical Laboratory Science programme are due on 15 February.
In Spanish-speaking countries the degree is taught in Spanish and students choose a specialisation. The Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos in Lima trains medical technologists in four areas: clinical laboratory and pathological anatomy, physical therapy and rehabilitation, radiology, and occupational therapy. The Universidad Diego Portales in Santiago de Chile offers three: clinical bioanalysis and transfusion medicine, imaging and medical physics, and ophthalmology and optometry. In Argentina, the Escuela de Tecnología Médica of the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba teaches clinical laboratory and histopathology and a licenciatura in bio-imaging.
Because the name covers different professions in different countries, it is worth checking which specialisation a programme offers and whether the qualification gives access to professional certification or registration in the country where you plan to work.
Careers
Most graduates work in hospital and diagnostic laboratories. Others conduct research in industrial, public health and medical laboratories, or teach in hospitals, colleges and universities, as the University of Washington notes.
In the United States, clinical laboratory technologists and technicians held about 343,000 jobs in 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The largest employers were private general hospitals (36%), medical and diagnostic laboratories (19%) and physicians' offices (10%). Employment is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035. Certification is not always required, but employers may prefer certified staff.
Frequently asked questions
Is medical technology the same as medical laboratory science?
In the United States, yes: medical technologists are now usually called medical laboratory scientists. In countries such as Peru and Chile, Tecnología Médica is a wider degree with specialisations that include radiology and other areas besides the laboratory.
How long does the degree take?
A bachelor's degree in the United States takes four years, as at the University of Washington. Tecnología Médica takes five years at the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, and 10 semesters at the Universidad Diego Portales in the clinical bioanalysis specialisation.
Do I need a licence or certification to work in a laboratory in the United States?
Some states require laboratory personnel to be licensed or registered. Certification is not always required, but employers may prefer it, and an accredited programme is typically needed to sit the certification examination.
Can I enter the field if I already have a science degree?
Yes. Some laboratory science programmes can be completed in two years or less by students with prior college coursework or a bachelor's degree, and there are master's programmes designed for career changers.