Certification vs. Degree for Lab Technicians: Do You Need Both to Get Hired?

By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD · 2026-08-27

Quick Answer

• A degree and a certification serve different purposes in the laboratory job market, and many employers expect both for advanced roles.
• Start by identifying the specific laboratory occupation you want, then check whether that occupation's standard entry path requires a degree, a certification, or both.
• Employer requirements vary by laboratory type, state, and specialty, so verify expectations with individual job postings and professional organizations before committing to a program.

Understanding the Laboratory Career Landscape

Laboratory work spans a wide range of occupations, each with its own education and credentialing expectations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics groups these roles into distinct categories based on the nature of the work and the preparation required. Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians, for example, typically need an associate or bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as medical technology or a life science. Biological technicians usually hold a bachelor's degree in biology or a closely related discipline. Research-based laboratory positions often follow a different pathway, with many employers expecting a graduate degree for independent research roles.

The distinction between a degree and a certification matters because they answer different questions for an employer. A degree demonstrates that you completed a structured academic program with a defined curriculum. A certification shows that you passed an examination administered by a professional body, often after completing specific educational and work experience requirements. Some certifications require a degree as a prerequisite, while others accept equivalent work experience. Understanding this relationship helps you plan your education and training investments in the correct order.

The work context also varies by setting. Clinical laboratories in hospitals and diagnostic centers operate under regulatory requirements that may mandate specific credentials for personnel who perform patient testing. Research laboratories in universities, government agencies, and private companies may place more weight on your research experience and technical skills than on a particular certification. Federal research organizations such as the National Science Foundation employ scientific and technical staff across a range of roles, and their job descriptions typically specify the education and experience levels they expect for each position.

Degree Requirements by Laboratory Role

Clinical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists

Clinical laboratory personnel perform diagnostic testing on patient samples. The Bureau of Labor Statistics distinguishes between technicians and technologists based on the level of education and the complexity of the work they perform. Clinical laboratory technicians typically hold an associate degree or a certificate from a hospital-based program. Clinical laboratory technologists, also called medical laboratory scientists, usually hold a bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science or a related life science field.

The distinction matters for career planning because the two roles involve different levels of responsibility. Technicians often perform routine tests and operate automated instruments under the supervision of technologists. Technologists perform more complex analyses, evaluate test results for accuracy, and may supervise technicians. If you are deciding between a two-year and a four-year program, consider whether you want to work in a supervisory or complex-testing capacity, because the bachelor's degree is the standard entry point for those responsibilities.

Biological Technicians and Research Support Roles

Biological technicians work in research laboratories, supporting scientists by preparing samples, maintaining equipment, and recording data. The standard entry requirement is a bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, or a related field. Some positions accept an associate degree combined with relevant experience, but the bachelor's degree is the more common expectation across the industry.

Research support roles in federal agencies follow a similar pattern. The National Science Foundation hires scientific and technical staff for a variety of positions, and the job announcements specify the education and experience required for each role. A bachelor's degree is often the minimum for technical positions, while research scientist roles typically require a graduate degree. The same general structure applies in university laboratories and private research organizations.

Veterinary Laboratory and Animal Health Roles

Veterinary laboratory work sits at the intersection of animal health and diagnostic science. The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges describes the education pathway for becoming a veterinarian, which requires a bachelor's degree followed by a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from an accredited program. Veterinary technicians and technologists, who work in veterinary laboratories and clinics, typically complete a two-year or four-year program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. These roles involve laboratory testing, sample collection, and diagnostic support under the supervision of a veterinarian.

If you are interested in animal health laboratory work, the credentialing path depends on whether you want to work as a veterinarian, a veterinary technician, or a laboratory scientist in an animal health setting. Each role has a different education requirement, and the certification requirements also differ. A veterinarian must pass a national board examination and obtain a state license. A veterinary technician may pursue voluntary certification through a professional organization. A laboratory scientist in an animal health laboratory may follow the same education and certification path as a clinical laboratory scientist.

Certification Requirements and Their Role in Hiring

Certification serves a different function than a degree. A certification is a professional credential that verifies your competence in a specific area of practice. For laboratory professionals, the most widely recognized certifications come from organizations such as the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and the American Medical Technologists (AMT). These organizations offer certification examinations for medical laboratory scientists, medical laboratory technicians, and specialty areas such as phlebotomy and histotechnology.

The eligibility requirements for certification examinations typically include a combination of education and experience. For example, the medical laboratory scientist certification examination requires a bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science or a related field, or a bachelor's degree plus specific coursework and laboratory experience. The medical laboratory technician certification requires an associate degree or a certificate from an accredited program. These requirements mean that certification is not a substitute for a degree but rather a credential that builds on a degree.

Employers in clinical settings often require certification for certain positions. Hospitals and diagnostic laboratories may list certification as a condition of employment, especially for technologist roles. Some states also require certification or licensure for laboratory personnel. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that certification is not always required for entry-level positions, but it can improve job prospects and is often required for advancement. If you are considering a clinical laboratory career, check the requirements in your state and the preferences of employers in your area.

How Employers Weigh Degrees and Certifications

Employers use degrees and certifications to answer different questions about a candidate. A degree signals that you completed a structured academic program and have a foundation of knowledge in the field. A certification signals that you have passed a standardized examination and met specific eligibility requirements, which provides a measure of competence in a defined area of practice. For many laboratory positions, employers want both signals.

The weight given to each credential depends on the type of laboratory and the level of the position. In clinical laboratories, certification is often a hard requirement for technologist roles because it provides a standardized measure of competence that employers can trust. In research laboratories, the degree is the primary credential, and certification is less common. Research employers tend to evaluate candidates based on their research experience, technical skills, and publications instead of on professional certification.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics describes the education and training requirements for laboratory occupations, but it does not rank degrees against certifications. The practical answer is that the degree is the foundation and the certification is the professional validation. If you are deciding where to invest your time and money, start with the degree that the role requires, then pursue certification if the employer or the state requires it or if it improves your competitiveness.

At a Glance: Degree vs. Certification for Laboratory Roles

Practical Steps for Deciding Your Education Path

Step 1: Identify Your Target Laboratory Setting

The first decision is not about the degree or certification. It is about the type of laboratory where you want to work. Clinical laboratories, research laboratories, veterinary laboratories, and industrial laboratories have different expectations for their staff. The Bureau of Labor Statistics describes these settings separately because the work and the requirements differ. A clinical laboratory technologist works in a hospital or diagnostic laboratory and performs patient testing. A biological technician works in a research laboratory and supports scientific investigations. A veterinary technician works in an animal health setting. Each of these roles has a different education path and a different certification expectation.

Step 2: Research the Education Requirement for That Role

Once you have identified your target role, research the education requirement. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides occupation profiles that describe the typical entry-level education for each occupation. For clinical laboratory technologists, the typical entry is a bachelor's degree. For clinical laboratory technicians, the typical entry is an associate degree. For biological technicians, the typical entry is a bachelor's degree. Use these profiles as a starting point, then check job postings in your area to see what employers are actually asking for.

Step 3: Determine Whether Certification Is Required

Certification requirements vary by state and employer. Some states require clinical laboratory personnel to hold a certification or a state license. Employers in clinical settings often require certification even when the state does not. Research laboratories generally do not require certification. The American Society for Microbiology provides career development resources for microbiology professionals, and their career guidance can help you understand the certification expectations in your specialty. If you are considering a clinical laboratory career, contact the professional organization for your specialty and ask about the certification requirements in your state.

Step 4: Plan the Order of Your Investments

The degree and the certification are not interchangeable, and the order matters. The degree is the foundation, and the certification builds on it. If you pursue certification before completing the degree, you may find that you are not eligible for the certification examination because the eligibility requirements include a degree. If you complete the degree first, you can then pursue certification with a clear understanding of the eligibility requirements. This sequence avoids wasted time and money.

Step 5: Evaluate the Return on Investment

The return on investment for a degree and a certification depends on the role and the employer. A bachelor's degree is a significant investment of time and money, but it is the standard entry for many laboratory roles. A certification is a smaller investment, but it may be required for employment in clinical settings. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides information on the education and training for each occupation, and the Occupational Outlook Handbook includes employment projections and wage data. Use this information to compare the investment against the expected employment outcomes for the role you are considering.

Records and Measurements for Career Planning

Career planning benefits from the same discipline as laboratory work. Keep a record of your education, your certifications, and your work experience, and use that record to evaluate your progress toward your target role.

Common Failure Patterns in Credential Planning

Pursuing Certification Without the Required Degree

A common mistake is pursuing certification before completing the degree that the certification requires. Certification examinations have eligibility requirements that include specific education and experience. If you do not meet the education requirement, you cannot sit for the examination. This mistake wastes time and money and delays your entry into the workforce.

Choosing a Degree Program Without Checking Employer Requirements

Another common mistake is choosing a degree program without checking the employer requirements in your target area. A degree in a general science field may not meet the specific coursework requirements for a clinical laboratory certification. A degree in medical laboratory science is the standard path for clinical laboratory technologists, and it includes the coursework that the certification requires. If you choose a general biology degree instead, you may need to complete additional coursework before you are eligible for certification.

Ignoring State and Employer Certification Requirements

Certification requirements vary by state and employer. Some states require certification for clinical laboratory personnel, and many employers require it even when the state does not. If you ignore these requirements, you may find that you are not eligible for the positions you want. Check the requirements in your state and the employers in your target area before you commit to a career path.

Assuming Certification Is Optional for All Laboratory Roles

Certification is not required for all laboratory roles. Research laboratories generally do not require certification, and the degree is the primary credential. However, clinical laboratories often require certification, and the certification is a requirement for employment in many settings. The mistake is to assume that one rule applies to all laboratory roles. The correct approach is to check the requirements for the specific role and setting you are targeting.

Welfare and Safety Context for Laboratory Work

Laboratory work involves safety considerations that are separate from the credentialing question. Clinical laboratories handle patient samples that may contain infectious agents. Research laboratories work with chemicals, biological agents, and equipment that require proper training. The degree and the certification are not substitutes for safety training, and employers are responsible for providing the safety training that the work requires.

The National Institutes of Health provides training and professional development resources for research careers, and these resources include information about responsible conduct of research and laboratory safety. The American Society for Microbiology also provides career resources that include professional development and safety context for microbiology professionals. If you are entering laboratory work, make sure you understand the safety requirements of your specific laboratory and complete the training that your employer provides.

Professional Escalation Criteria

If you are uncertain about the education or certification requirements for a laboratory role, escalate the question to a professional source. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides occupation descriptions that include education and training requirements. The professional organizations for your specialty, such as the American Society for Microbiology, provide career guidance and can answer questions about certification. The career services at your university or the human resources department at your target employer can also provide specific information about the requirements for a position.

If you are a student, the career services office at your institution can help you understand the education and certification requirements for the laboratory roles you are considering. If you are a working professional, the professional organization for your specialty can provide guidance on certification and career development. If you are considering a veterinary laboratory career, the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges provides information about the education pathway for veterinary careers.

A Practical Decision Framework for Degree and Certification Investments

Choosing between a degree, a certification, or both requires a structured comparison method instead of a general rule. Laboratory professionals can apply a weighted scoring framework that evaluates each credential option against the specific requirements of their target role and setting. This framework converts the abstract question of whether you need both credentials into a concrete, measurable decision.

Step 1: Define Your Target Role and Setting

Start by writing a single sentence that names the exact position and workplace you want. For example, a clinical laboratory technologist in a hospital reference laboratory, a biological technician in a university research lab, or a veterinary technician in a private animal hospital. The Bureau of Labor Statistics groups laboratory occupations by work setting and typical entry education, so use those profiles to confirm that your target role exists as a distinct occupation with defined requirements.

Step 2: Identify the Non-Negotiable Requirements

Every laboratory role has a baseline requirement that you cannot bypass. For clinical laboratory technologists, the bachelor's degree is the standard entry point. For clinical laboratory technicians, the associate degree or a certificate from a hospital-based program is the typical minimum. For biological technicians, the bachelor's degree is the common expectation. These requirements come from the occupation definitions in the Bureau of Labor Statistics and from employer job postings. Write these non-negotiables in a list and treat them as fixed constraints.

Step 3: Score Each Credential Option

Create a scoring table with the following criteria and assign a weight to each one based on your priorities. Use a scale of 1 to 5 for each criterion, where 5 means the credential strongly satisfies the criterion and 1 means it does not.

For the employer requirement criterion, check the job postings in your target area and record whether the posting lists a degree, a certification, or both as a condition of employment. For the certification eligibility criterion, review the eligibility requirements of the certification you are considering. Many certification examinations require a specific degree as a prerequisite, so the degree scores higher on this criterion. For career advancement, consider whether the credential opens supervisory or complex-testing roles. For cost and time, compare the tuition and duration of the degree program against the examination fee and preparation time for the certification. For transferability, consider whether the credential is recognized across hospital, research, and industrial settings.

Step 4: Calculate the Weighted Total

Multiply each score by the weight and add the results for the degree and the certification separately. The higher total indicates the credential that provides the better return for your specific situation. This calculation does not tell you to choose one over the other. It tells you which one to pursue first and which one is optional for your target role.

Step 5: Apply the Sequential Rule

The sequential rule is simple: the degree comes first when the certification requires the degree as an eligibility condition. The certification comes first only when the employer accepts the certification without the degree, which is rare for laboratory roles. If the weighted scoring shows that the certification is the higher priority, verify that the certification does not require a degree before you commit to the examination.

Records and Measurements for the Decision Framework

The decision framework requires the same record discipline as laboratory work. Keep a credential planning log that tracks your progress against the framework criteria.

Troubleshooting the Decision Framework

The Certification Scores Higher but Requires a Degree

This situation occurs when the certification is the employer requirement but the certification eligibility includes a degree. The framework shows the certification as the higher priority, but the degree is the prerequisite. The correct action is to pursue the degree first and then the certification. The framework does not replace the eligibility requirement. It only helps you prioritize the order.

The Degree Scores Higher but the Employer Requires Certification

This situation occurs in clinical settings where the employer requires certification for technologist roles. The degree scores higher because it is the foundation and the prerequisite for the certification. The correct action is to complete the degree and then pursue the certification. The framework confirms that the degree is the first investment and the certification is the second.

The Scores Are Equal

When the degree and the certification score equally, the deciding factor is the eligibility requirement. If the certification requires the degree, the degree comes first. If the certification does not require the degree, compare the cost and time investment and choose the option that gets you into the workforce sooner. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides employment projections and wage data for each occupation, and this information can help you compare the return on investment for the two options.

The Target Role Changes

If you change your target role during the planning process, rerun the framework with the new role. A role in a clinical laboratory has different requirements than a role in a research laboratory. The framework is not a one-time decision. It is a method that you can apply whenever your target role or your priorities change.

When to Escalate the Decision

If the framework produces a result that conflicts with the requirements in a job posting or a certification eligibility rule, escalate the question to a professional source. The professional organization for your specialty, such as the American Society for Microbiology, can clarify the certification requirements for your field. The career services office at your academic institution can help you understand the education requirements for the roles you are targeting. The human resources office at your target employer can confirm the specific requirements for a position. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides the official occupation descriptions that define the typical entry-level education for each role.

Use the framework as a planning tool, not as a substitute for verifying the requirements with the employer or the certification body. The framework helps you organize the information and compare the options. The employer and the certification body provide the final answer on what is required for the role you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a degree to become a laboratory technician?

The degree requirement depends on the role. Clinical laboratory technicians typically need an associate degree or a certificate from a hospital-based program. Biological technicians typically need a bachelor's degree. The Bureau of Labor Statistics describes the typical entry-level education for each occupation, and the requirement varies by role and employer.

Is certification required for all laboratory jobs?

No. Certification is commonly required in clinical laboratories, where employers and states may require it for personnel who perform patient testing. Research laboratories generally do not require certification, and the degree is the primary credential. The requirement depends on the type of laboratory and the role.

Can I get a laboratory job with a certification but no degree?

In some cases, yes. Some laboratory roles, such as clinical laboratory technician positions, may accept a certificate from a hospital-based program. However, many roles require a degree, and certification examinations often require a degree as an eligibility requirement. The degree is the foundation for most laboratory careers.

What is the difference between a degree and a certification?

A degree is an academic credential earned by completing a structured program at a college or university. A certification is a professional credential earned by passing an examination administered by a professional body. The certification often requires a degree as a prerequisite, and it verifies your competence in a specific area of practice.

Which is more important to employers, a degree or a certification?

The answer depends on the employer and the role. Clinical laboratory employers often require certification for technologist positions, and the degree is the prerequisite for the certification. Research employers value the degree and the research experience, and certification is less important. The degree is the foundation, and the certification is the additional credential.

How do I know if a certification is required in my state?

Check the requirements of your state's licensing board or the professional organization for your specialty. Some states require certification for clinical laboratory personnel, and others do not. The professional organization for your specialty can provide guidance on the requirements in your state.

Can I pursue a certification while I am still in school?

You can, but you may not be eligible for the certification examination until you complete the degree. Certification examinations have eligibility requirements that include education and experience. Check the eligibility requirements for the certification you are pursuing before you apply.

What should I do if I am unsure about the requirements for a laboratory role?

Contact the professional organization for your specialty, the career services office at your academic institution, or the human resources office at your target employer. These sources can provide the specific requirements for the role and the setting you are targeting. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also provides occupation descriptions that include education and training information.

Related Articles

• Agriculture Major Jobs: What Can You Do With an Agriculture Degree?
• What Jobs Can I Get with a Biology Degree
• What Can You Do With a Biology Degree
• Jobs You Can Get with a Biology Degree
• What Jobs Can You Get with a Biology Degree

References and Further Reading

• Occupational Outlook Handbook. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• O*NET OnLine. U.S. Department of Labor.
• Office of Intramural Training and Education. National Institutes of Health.
• Careers at NSF. U.S. National Science Foundation.
• Career Services. American Society for Microbiology.
• AAVMC Career Resources. Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges.
• NCBI Literature Resources. National Center for Biotechnology Information.
• PubMed. National Library of Medicine.

This article is educational and does not replace institutional policy, professional advice, or applicable safety and regulatory requirements.