Upon successful completion of the Medical Laboratory Sciences program, students are eligible to sit for the national certification exam. The major certification exam is offered by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) Board of Certification. Application information is available online. The student is recommended to take the exam. Taking or passing the board examination is not a prerequisite for graduation from South Dakota State University. However, board certification is usually required for employment in most facilities.
There is currently no state licensure for laboratory professionals in South Dakota. However, many states do require licensure (see state licensure requirements). Most of the states that require licensure will recognize certification as a MLS (ASCP).