Animal Scientists
Special Requirements
American Association for Laboratory Animal Science Certification and Registry Board (CRB) certifies three levels of technician competence:
The technician certification designations of ALAT, LAT, and LATG are well known and widely used throughout the varied fields of laboratory animal care. In fact, these certifications have come to be a common requirement for a lab animal care position.
Below is a general overview of the technician certification process. For complete program information, download the Technician Certification Handbook. The handbook contains everything you need to know about application and testing procedures, qualification criteria, exam fees, and many other topics, and should be retained for use as a reference during the application process.
Below is a general overview of the technician certification process. For complete program information, download the Technician Certification Handbook. The handbook contains everything you need to know about application and testing procedures, qualification criteria, exam fees, and many other topics, and should be retained for use as a reference during the application process.
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Education and Work Experience Requirements
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ALAT
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No high school diploma or GED
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+2 years laboratory animal science experience
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HS diploma or GED
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+1 year laboratory animal science experience
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Any college degree of 2 or more years duration
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+0.5 year laboratory animal science experience
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LAT
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HS diploma or GED
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+3 years laboratory animal science experience
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Any AA/AS degree
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+2 years laboratory animal science experience
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Any BA/BS or higher degree
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+1 year laboratory animal science experience
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ALAT certification plus HS diploma/GED, or college or higher degree
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+0.5 year after receiving ALAT certification
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ALAT certification without HS diploma/GED, or any college degree
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+2 years after receiving ALAT certification
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LATG
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HS diploma or GED
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+5 years laboratory animal science experience
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Any AA/AS degree
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+4 years laboratory animal science experience
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Any BA/BS or higher degree
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+3 years laboratory animal science experience
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LAT certification plus HS diploma or GED, or college or higher degree
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+0.5 year after receiving LAT certification
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A year's worth of work experience is equivalent to 1950 hours. The CRB allows for experience in non-laboratory animal environment (up to 3 years) to be applied to the required work experience using the following equation.
Documentation must be provided for all diplomas/degrees. Non-U.S. diplomas/degrees will be evaluated for equivalency and may be referred to the CRB. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED to be eligible to take the LAT and LATG exams.
Overview of the Technician Certification Exams
All three examination levels consist of multiple-choice questions with a single correct answer and three incorrect answers. Exams are administered throughout the year on a personal computer (PC) workstation at a Prometric Testing Center; a pencil-and-paper exam is offered once yearly at the AALAS National Meeting.
All three examination levels consist of multiple-choice questions with a single correct answer and three incorrect answers. Exams are administered throughout the year on a personal computer (PC) workstation at a Prometric Testing Center; a pencil-and-paper exam is offered once yearly at the AALAS National Meeting.
The blueprint for the examinations is based on the results of a Job Analysis Survey conducted on behalf of the CRB. From this study the Exam Content Outlines (ECOs) are developed. The ECOs list the knowledge, skills, and abilities an AALAS-certified technician is expected to have at each level of certification, and are available in the downloadable Technician Certification Handbook or on the menu on the left. The ECOs are divided into two performance domains, or principal areas of work related responsibility: (1) Animal Husbandry, Health and Welfare, and (2) Facility Administration and Management. The number of questions (and percentages) from each domain that will appear on the examination are:
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ALAT
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LAT
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LATG
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Animal Husbandry, Health & Welfare
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66-92%
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65-91%
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50%
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Facility Administration & Management
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8-34%
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9-35%
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50%
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Total Questions
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120
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155
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180
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Exam Time Limit
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2 hrs
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2.5 hrs
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3 hrs
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Each domain is broken down into tasks, which are explained by task statements (descriptions of specific goal-directed activities having a common objective). Examination questions are prepared from these task statements by AALAS members with expertise in the care and treatment of laboratory animals. Each examination question is then carefully referenced, reviewed, and evaluated by the CRB to ensure its accuracy and correctness.
The exams are designed as minimum competency tests and are not intended to distinguish among scores above the passing point. Therefore, no breakdown of scores is reported for passing candidates. This policy is established as a safeguard against misuse of the exam scores of passing candidates. Upon completion of your exam, you will receive a hard copy printout at the testing center of a Pass/Fail Report that states whether you passed or failed. Within 3 to 4 weeks, you will receive an official report from AALAS. Passing candidates will receive an official pass notice, a certificate, and a Registry card, and are encouraged to pursue the next level of AALAS certification (if applicable) and to further increase their knowledge base through continuing education. Candidates failing to pass their exam will receive an official score report containing their scale score and diagnostic information identifying areas of strength and weakness; these candidates are encouraged to reapply. When retaking an exam, the entire exam fee must be submitted again along with an Application Form. Candidates failing to pass can reapply immediately upon receipt of their official score report.
How to Apply
To apply for an AALAS Technician Certification Exam, you must complete an application formand submit all necessary documentation and fees. Once your application has been approved and processed, you will receive an Authorization to Test letter from the AALAS office. You must take this letter with you to your exam.
To apply for an AALAS Technician Certification Exam, you must complete an application formand submit all necessary documentation and fees. Once your application has been approved and processed, you will receive an Authorization to Test letter from the AALAS office. You must take this letter with you to your exam.
For more information go to http://www.aalas.org/index.aspx.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Career VIEW Research.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Career VIEW Research. (Using onet28)
