How to Become a Lab Technician: Career Guide, Courses, After 12th, Eligibility, Entrance Exams, Entrance Exams, Skills, Benefits, Salary

Qualifications to Become a Lab Technician

Candidates are generally required to meet certain educational qualifications to become Lab Technicians in India. The basic qualifications are mentioned in the following points.

• Candidates must pass class 12 with biology as their main subject with an average score of 50% or above from a recognised university. 
• They should possess a degree in medical laboratory education like DMLT or BMLT. There is also an option of a master’s degree for better career prospects.
• Candidates have to qualify for entrance exams if they are targeting top colleges for medical laboratory technology education. 

Eligibility to Become a Lab Technician

The standard eligibility criteria that candidates looking for a future as a Lab Technician should fulfil are mentioned below.

• Candidates must hold a degree in medical laboratory technology to work as Lab Technicians. There are many courses at different levels that candidates can consider.
• Candidates should have a deep knowledge of various medical laboratory principles and techniques. Additionally, they should also be well-versed in different relevant subjects.
• Candidates should possess various skills required in the efficient execution of different laboratory tasks. 

Types of Lab Technicians

There are different types of Lab Technicians based on their roles, nature of work or specialities. Some common types of Lab Technicians include.

• Medical Laboratory Technician: They perform tests and analyse different samples. They assist in diagnosing diseases, analysing data and overall laboratory maintenance. 
• Clinical Technician: They specialise in analysing chemical components of different bodily fluids for the diagnosis of diseases. 
• Microbiology Technician: They are concerned with the microbiological aspects of the patient samples. Perform tests to identify microbes, assess their antibiotic resistance and help in infection control measures. 
• Pathology Lab Technician: They conduct diagnostic tests on patient samples and analyse the result for disease diagnosis and treatment. 
• Forensic Science Technicians: They collect and analyse samples of forensic importance and provide scientific support in criminal investigations. 
• Immunology Technician: They are concerned with the overall well-being of the patient. They assist in diagnosing immune disorders, allergies and infectious diseases. 

Steps to Become a Lab Technician

Candidates have to follow multiple steps to become a Lab Technician in India. The general steps are mentioned in the following points.

• Candidates have to clear class 12 in biology from a recognised board with a minimum of 50% marks.
• After completing class 12, they must pursue different medical laboratory technology courses to obtain a formal degree.
• Candidates targeting top colleges have to appear in entrance exams to get selected for the coursework.
• After completing the degree, candidates should look for internships and certification courses to get real-world experience and gain more skills. 
• Candidates should opt for master’s courses as they provide better career prospects with competitive salaries.
• After completing the education and gaining relevant skills, candidates can start applying for Lab Technician opportunities in the healthcare sector. 

Lab Technician Courses

There are many courses that candidates can pursue to become Lab Technicians. The details for the most popular courses are mentioned in the following table.

Entrance Exams

There are many examinations that candidates can appear in to get admission in top colleges offering courses in laboratory technology. These exams are highly competitive and require diligent preparation. The details for some of the top exams for banking are mentioned in the following table.