Enroll in a four-year bachelor's degree program in medical technology or a related degree. The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) offers a searchable list of all accredited laboratory technologist degree programs in the United States. As of 2011, the NAACLS has accredited 212 degree programs. Coursework within this degree field typically covers microbiology, statistics, chemistry and biological sciences, as well as administrative coursework such as business management and computer applications.
Obtain certification from one of the following certifying organizations: National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel or the Board of Registry of the American Association of Bioanalysts. Each of these certification organizations feature different requirements; review the requirements for each organization and apply for certification with at least one after graduating with your bachelor's degree. The U.S. Department of Labor states certification may not be a requirement for employment, but employers favor those who have gained certification in addition to formal training.
Check your state licensing board to determine if you must gain licensure to work as a laboratory technologist. While not every state requires a license, states with this requirement typically feature several pathways to licensure. To gain licensure, you will be required to fill out an application and pass an examination. The exact steps to gain licensure, if required, will vary according to the regulations established by each state's licensing board.