Medical Technologist Licensure Board Exam (MTLE): Application Requirements, Coverage, and Schedule

Already earned your degree in either BS Medical Technology or BS Public Health and would now want to get started in earning that Professional Identification Card from the PRC? Then this article is for you.

Here, we’ll be tackling everything you need to know about the Medical Technologist Board Exam (MTLE) – from the Medtech board exam requirements you need to present, when is the opening and deadline for filing applications, and most importantly, what will be covered in the exam.

If you are determined to earn that license, then read on.

What are Medical Technologists?

A professionally qualified medical technologist studies and analyzes blood, other bodily fluids, and tissue samples. These professionals in the field of medicine are responsible for the use and maintenance of instruments used to examine specimens and for the proper and opportune execution of experiments.

What is the Medical Technologist Board Exam 2021?

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) is the national commission in charge of administering the Medical Technologist Licensure Exam (PRC MTLE), otherwise known as the MedTech Board Exam. The MTLE or MedTech Board Exam is the country’s official licensure exam for medical technologists in the Philippines.

All candidates who aspire to take the licensure examination must be a graduate of either BS Medical Technology or BS Public Health from an accredited school, college, or university.

These requirements are essential to the qualification of the licensure examination for medical technologists to ensure the nature of the produced workforce. This is not an obstacle to your application. They merely prepare you to be equipped with the basic skills and data to enhance your experience.

Medical Technologist Licensure Board Exam MTLE 2021 requirements

Here is a list of all the MTLE requirements you need to prepare for when filing your application to take the MedTech Board Exam:

• PSA/NSO Birth Certificate
• PSA/NSO Marriage Contract (only for married female applicants)
• Transcript of Records with scanned picture and remarks “For Board Examination Purposes”
• Examination fee: Php 900.00

Please take note that the applicants must apply for a REFRESHER course certification from a medical technology school approved or certified by CHED-FTB after three failed tests.

Medical Technologist Board Examination (MTLE) Application Procedure

The PRC License Examination and Registration Information System (LERIS) has simplified the online application for all licensure examinations. The PRC calls for candidates to confirm their preferred date of appointment via the PRC LERIS web portal before presenting sets of documentary PRC Medtech requirements at their preferrable Regional or Satellite PRC office.

If you are either unsure of the application process, is a step-by-step guide to help you schedule your preferred appointment date – or if you’re already familiar with the process, simply go to the PRC LERIS web platform straight ahead to start the application.

Medical Technologist Licensure Board Examination MTLE Coverage

The MedTech Licensure Exam (MTLE) is composed of six MTLE board exam subjects under the table of specifications. We’ve listed them below with their corresponding weight as a guide for all examinees:

1. Hematology – 20%

Under Hematology, the following topics will appear on the licensure examination, along with the corresponding percentage on their likelihood to be included. Examinees must review:

• Blood collection, anticoagulants – 10%
• Cell counts (RBC, WBC, platelet, reticulocytes) – 30%
• Blood tests (Hemoglobin, Hematocrit) – 15%
• Cell morphology (Normal and abnormal: peripheral blood, bone marrow) – 20%
• Coagulation tests (BT, CT, Prothrombin time, RBC fragility tests, etc) – 15%
• Special tests – 5%
• Quality control – 5%

2. Microbiology and Parasitology – 20%

Under Microbiology and Parasitology, the following topics will appear in the MedTech Licensure Exam, along with the corresponding percentage on their likelihood to be included:

• Microbiology – 70%
  • Bacteria – 80%
  • Fungi – 5%
  • Viruses – 10%
  • Rickettsiae – 5%

• Collection – 10%
• Preparation and Staining – 15%
• Culture and Identification – 40%
• Sensitivity – 10%
• Media Preparation – 10%
• Sterilization – 5%
• Water, food, milk, and utensils – 5%
• Quality Control – 5%
• Parasitology – 30%
• Life Cycle – 10%
• Morphology – 50%
• Tests – 25%
• Fecal – 10%
• Blood and Tests – 5%

3. Clinical Chemistry – 20%

Under Clinical Chemistry, the following list of topics will appear in the MedTech Licensure Exam, along with the corresponding percentage on their likelihood to be included. Examinees must review:

• Specimen collection – 5%
• Instrumentation and calibration – 5%
• Reagent preparation and Laboratory math – 5%
• Quality Control – 10%
• Clinical Chemistry proper – 50%
• Biochemistry – 10%
• Principles and Methods – 20%
• Interpretation – 10%
• Normal values (SI units) – 10%
• Endocrinology and Toxicology – 10%
• Blood gas analysis – 10%
• Laboratory safety – 5%

4. Blood Banking & Serology – 20%

Under Blood Banking & Serology, the following list of topics will appear on the licensure examination, along with the corresponding percentage on their likelihood to be included:

• Blood Banking – 50%
• Typing and Cross-matching Antiglobulin test – 20%
• Blood types – 20%
• Genetics: Principles and Testing – 5%
• Blood storage and Transport – 10%
• Donor recruitment and Bleeding – 15%
• Blood components – 15%
• Transfusion practice – 10%
• Special procedures (Elution, etc.) – 5%
• Serology – 50%
• The immune system – 20%
• Antigen, Antibodies complement, HLA – 20%
• General principles – 10%
• Methods, procedures, and interpretation – 45%
• Updates (HIV Tests, etc.) – 5%

5. Clinical Microscopy – 10%

Under Clinical Microscopy, the following topics will appear on the licensure examination, along with the corresponding percentage on their likelihood to be included:

• Urine – 40%
• Feces – 10%
• Seminal Fluid – 8%
• CSF – 10%
• Transudate & Exudate – 8%
• Synovial Fluid – 2%
• Amniotic Fluid – 2%
• Gastric fluid & Duodenal drainage – 4%
• Sputum – 5%
• Bronchial washings – 2%
• Peritoneal, Pleural, Pericardial fluid – 5%
• Quality Control – 4%

6. Histopathologic techniques & Med. Tech. Laws – 10%

Under Histopathologic techniques & Med. Tech. Laws, the following topics will appear on the licensure examination, along with the corresponding percentage on their likelihood to be included:

• Histopathologic techniques – 85%
• Tissue Processing – 40%
• Routine – 30%
• Special – 10%
• Cytology – 10%
• Staining – 20%
• Routine – 15%
• Special – 5%
• Autopsy – 5%
• Special procedures – 5%
• Clerical/Logging – 5%

Medical Technologist Licensure Board Exam MTLE 2021 Schedule

The MLTE is generally carried out by the Board frequently in one year according to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). The soonest schedule for the upcoming medical technology licensure exam will be on August 18 & 19, 2021 (Sunday and Monday). The opening of online processing will be on May 18, 2021. While the deadline for the filing of applications will be on July 19, 2021. You can check the full medical technology licensure exam schedule for 2021 right here to be guided.

If you have any questions or concerns about the licensure exam, particularly given the pandemic implications, you can always visit the Professional Regulation Commission’s official website to get the most up-to-date details and updates. This is also where you can find their contact information if you have any relevant questions.